Two co-op students are using their summer to educate British Columbians on the importance of recycling everything and anything to do with oil.
The young women are travelling throughout the province in their hybrid car that is decaled in blue bubbles, visiting recycling depots and speaking with local governments. On Monday, June 29, they paid a visit to the Sunshine Coast.
"The program shows how far we've come and the responsible way to recycle," said Kalina Hadziev.
Hadziev, a commerce and marketing student from UBC, and Laura-leigh McKenzie, a geography and environmental sciences student from the University of Victoria did not know each other before taking on the B.C. used oil summer ambassador positions, but now regularly finish each others sentences and say they are best friends.
Together they said that return rates are on the increase, but could still be better. They said 73 per cent of used oil is being recycled, up from 70 per cent, filters are being returned at a rate of 98 per cent, up from 84 per cent, and oil containers made a jump to 73 from 63 per cent recovery.
"We're striving for 100 per cent," said McKenzie. "Eighteen million litres are unaccounted for that should have been," she added.
The pair are attending several public events such as show and shine car shows to reach a broader audience and educate people on the importance of recycling oil.
The website www.used oilrecycling.com has tips and a map to search out depots where oil and oil products can be recycled. There are four depots on the Coast.
The British Columbia Used Oil Management Association is a not-for-profit organization responsible for the implementation of a province-wide collection and recycling system for used oil, oil filters and containers.
