09/12/2005
- A new round of grants is available for those wanting
to get involved in the environmentally sustainable management
and recycling of used motor oil, the Minister for the
Environment and Heritage, Senator Ian Campbell, said today.
Senator Campbell said the targeted round of $950,000 aimed
to reinvigorate the Product Stewardship for Oil (PSO)
programme by focusing on the gaps in the oil recycling
industry.
The PSO transitional assistance fund is a seven-year,
$34.5 million programme, which aims to promote a sustainable
oil recycling industry and increase the uptake and recycling
of used oil.
"This round of funding will particularly welcome
applications for innovative oil recycling technologies;
for used oil management systems in remote areas, including
Indigenous communities; and to create used oil collection
facilities in areas that need them," Senator Campbell
said.
"Since 2000, the PSO programme has developed a network
of 800 used oil collection facilities and developed oil
recycling infrastructure across the country.
"We want to hear from anyone – individuals, communities
and organisations - with an interest in recycling used
oil and the skills and experience to contribute to the
industry.
"It is critical to our environment and our health
that used oil is properly collected and recycled. For
example, as little as one litre of used oil can contaminate
one million litres of water, and, if burnt, used oil can
release dangerous carcinogens into our air.
"Each year, up to 80 million litres of oil goes missing
- much of it stored in small quantities in remote parts
of Australia with little access to recycling facilities.
"If used oil is properly recycled it is a very valuable
commodity. By getting communities to take control of managing
their used oil, we can create jobs and support local industry
as well as looking after the environment."
Applications close on Friday, 3 February 2006. More information
on the Product Stewardship for Oil programme visit
http://www.oilrecycling.gov.au/program/index.html
