FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:  Becky Joesting, Recycling Coordinator, 410-638-3417

Waste Oil Recycling Locations Spared

June 26, 2009 -- Faced with the issue of closing nine waste oil and antifreeze recycling locations due to last minute budget cuts by the County Council, the Harford County Department of Public Works consulted with officials at Maryland Environmental Services (MES).

Through a grant program available from the Maryland Department of the Environment, MES and Harford County are able to keep the recycling locations open for another year. The grant is only available for one year, however, so in order to maintain this service in FY2011 other DPW services may be cut next year.

The cost of the service is $65,000 per year.           

“I am very happy we were able to secure this grant funding”, said DPW Director Robert Cooper.  “Used motor oil disposed of improperly can be potentially life-threatening to Maryland’s wildlife, contaminate ground water, and disrupt wastewater treatment facilities.”

The nine centers are located in various Harford County and municipal facilities across the county.  Hours of operation and locations can be obtained by calling 410-638-3417 or on the County website, www.harfordcountymd.gov/dpw/envaffairs/information.html.

The following rules apply when utilizing the recycling sites:

•            Place oil in a leak proof, reusable container with a tight-fitting cap.
•            Additional oil can be recovered by draining used oil filters.
•            Don’t mix recovered products with water, gasoline, antifreeze solvents or any other substance.