Santa Cruz County Motor Oil Recycling Block Grant

Overview and Scope of Work:  Currently in the eighth year of the Motor Oil Recycling Block Grant Program designated to improve water quality by increasing awareness of Motor Oil pollution, dispersing recycling information and increasing the means to recycle used motor oil.

Target Audience(s): Do it yourself Oil Changers, Spanish Speakers.

Funder: County of Santa Cruz through the California Integrated Waste Management Board

Funding Level: $23,000, previous to $30,000 (included Watsonville)

Program Partners: City of Capitola, Scotts Valley, Santa Cruz and County of Santa Cruz

Timeline: Each fiscal year since FY 1996/97

Staff Members Working on Project: Cristian Martinez, Sherry Lee Bryan, Kirsten Liske

Desired Behavior Changes: To increase the number of “do-it-yourselfers” (residents who change their own motor oil) recycling their used oil. Increased use of re-refined oil products.

Desired Outcomes of Program: Increased awareness of drop-off locations, and educating the public about re-refined motor oil. Increased quantities of motor oil recycled and no oil dumped in the landfill.

Results: On average, 98,000 gallons of oil and 21,000 oil filters are diverted each year as recorded by the County, with an average annual increase of 14% per year as awareness of the oil collection centers becomes higher.