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Tuesday, 17 July 2007 Up to 1 million litres of old farm oil will be recycled and reused by rice growers every year in a new environmental program launched today by Federal Member for the Riverina, Kay Hull MP. The Ricegrowers’ Association of Australia Inc. (RGA) initiative, which received $174,500 in funding under the Australian Government’s Product Stewardship for Oil program, is believed to be the first of its kind to be implemented by an agricultural industry in Australia. Speaking at the launch, RGA President Laurie Arthur said he hoped the Environmental Champions Waste Oil Collection Project would be used as model by other farming bodies. “Disposing of used oil has always been issue across the agricultural sector,” he said. “Many farmers just don’t have the means to safely transport oil vast distances to collection points. Instead, waste oil is often stored in drums on farm and, if not managed properly, can pose potential health and environmental issues. “We’re proud to take the lead as an industry to reduce these risks and contribute to a better environment.” Mr Arthur said the rice industry had identified that agriculture in the region currently produces an estimated 1 million litres of waste oil every year through machinery servicing and other farm uses. Currently 30% of that oil is recycled, but it’s hoped the recycling rate will increase dramatically through nine new waste oil collection points installed under the program. The collection points – three in the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area, two in the Coleambally Irrigation Area and four across the Murray Valley – each have a 5000L capacity and are fully bunded (surrounded by protective barriers). “For the first time our growers will have local disposal points for waste oil; a way to safeguard their farms and the environment. “Significantly, Southern Oil Refineries has agreed to collect and re-refine the waste oil, some of which will then be re-refined as EnviroOil products, and offered to growers at a discounted price. When it comes to closing the loop in recycling terms, you can’t get any better than that,” he said. “We’re expecting the program uptake to be significant. We’ve already had 38 growers formally trained in the use of the collection points.” Mr Arthur said Wesfarmers Federation Insurance (WFI) had kindly agreed to underwrite the whole project, providing an added level of security for growers “committed to doing the right thing”. NOTE: Kay Hull MP and the RGA Central Executive launched the Environmental Champions Waste Oil Collection Project in Gogeldrie this morning. Photos available. CONTACT |
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