Take Advantage of Nebraska’s Waste Oil Grants

By Thomas Brown

Nebraska Offers Waste Oil

Nebraska offers residents many incentives to properly dispose of waste oil. The state facilitates recycling activities with many used oil collection facilities and rewards businesses that invest in recycling and energy recovery equipment and programs. Since state and federal laws require residents to dispose of waste oil in an environmentally friendly manner, learning more about used oil programs can help individuals and businesses make informed decisions about oil management.

Nebraska’s Waste Oil Management Laws

Current state laws stipulate that residents may not dispose of used oil in landfills, conventional waste management facilities, or in the outside environment. Rural Nebraska alone produces around five million gallons of used oil ever year, making waste oil programs an important part of environmental quality management. Not all used oil is considered hazardous, but most of it does contain hazardous chemicals and heavy metals. When released back into the environment, the hazardous materials can contaminate ground and drinking water, causing health and wildlife problems.

All commercial oil generators (e.g., automotive businesses, service stations, delivery businesses, and other businesses) must store their waste oil according to state guidelines. Generators must only use well maintained oil containers. For specific information on local codes, businesses can contact their local fire departments.

In addition to transferring waste oil to a collection facility, businesses may burn used oil they create themselves and the oil that they collect from DIYers. If organizations choose to use industrial furnaces and boilers to burn used oil, these systems must comply with state air pollution regulations.

State Waste Reduction and Recycling Grants

Unlike some states that only regulate the use and recycling of waste oil, Nebraska also offers incentives to help businesses make environmentally friendly decisions. In 2016, the state has awarded $3.45 million in grants for waste reduction and recycling.

The grant money comes from several sources, including solid waste disposal fees, retail sales fees, and a fee on new tire sales. In 2016, grantees received thousands of dollars in funding to put toward the purchase of waste oil heating systems, hazardous waste education programs, recycling containers, waste shredders/grinders, and more. Organizations interested in applying for a 2017 grant can complete the application process online at the Nebraska state government website.

Used Oil Management Tips for Businesses in Nebraska

Those operating businesses in Nebraska can enhance their own waste oil management programs in the following ways:

• Create environmentally friendly policies. To comply with state and federal laws and keep used oil out of the environment, develop a plan that employees can use to minimize the impact of leaks and maintain used oil storage containers.

• Explore grant eligibility. With grant funding from the state, many automotive businesses can invest in high-efficiency used oil heating systems for energy recovery.

• A system that complies with state and federal regulations can provide free, comfortable heating during the winter months and fan-based cooling during the summer.

• Reduce waste oil accumulations. Consider using oil analysis systems to determine if and when oil changes should take place. Conserve oil and maximize recycling and energy recovery practices with an efficient oil changing process.

Few states offer incentives for investing in cost effective and environmentally waste oil burning systems, but Nebraska is one of them. Used oil can transform from a nuisance to an asset when you consider recycling and energy recovery opportunities.

Sources:

http://www.knb.org/oil.html

http://deq.ne.gov/Publica.nsf/pages/was066

http://www.deq.state.ne.us/Publica.nsf/23e5e39594c064ee852564ae004fa010/72f862774c7513428625690a006ce563!OpenDocument