Contact Pacific Southwest Waste Program
Pacific Southwest, Region 9
Serving: Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, Pacific Islands, Tribal Nations
Solid Waste Management on Tribal Lands
Recycling Centers
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Buy-back recycling centers can help increase recycling rates, and bring in additional revenue to your community. Buy-back centers purchase recyclables, such as aluminum cans, glass, and other materials. They are commonly located at sites such as store parking lots for convenience.
Some states, including California, have bottle bills that require a minimum refundable deposit to be paid on cans and bottles. Several tribes in California, including Robinson Rancheria and the Hopland Tribe, have partnered with the State of California and host California Refund Value (CRV) buy-back centers, open to both tribal members and nonmembers.
- More information on how to start a CRV center in California
- Robinson Rancheria Recycling Center
- Hopland Tribe Recycling Center
Used oil collection opportunities and regulations differ by state and local area. In general, there are three options for tribes dealing with used oil.
Used Oil Collection Centers
Used motor oil is insoluble, persistent, and can contain toxic chemicals and heavy metals. When disposed of improperly, used oil can contaminate soil and water. Fortunately, used motor oil can be recycled and either re-refined into new oil, processed into fuel oils, or used as raw materials for the petroleum industry.
- Promote the local used oil collection center. Research the nearest local used oil collection location. Locations that typically collect used oil include gas stations, auto repair and oil change shops, auto dealerships, transfer stations, and recycling centers. Publicize the location of the nearest used oil collection center to tribal members and encourage them to properly dispose of their used oil.
- Work with local waste haulers or household hazardous waste collection programs. The local waste hauling company may be willing to pick up used oil as part of their collection service. Local household hazardous waste collection programs may also be willing to accept used oil on a periodic basis.
- Start a tribal used oil collection center. Allow tribal and/or community members to bring their used oil to a drop-off location run by the tribe.
State Resources
Arizona
Arizona – Used Oil Program Facilities that accept only the smaller quantities of used oil are generally referred to as collection facilities, and may be subdivided into the following three classifications:
- Household do-it-yourselfer (DIYer) collection center
- Used oil collection center (registration required)
- Used oil aggregation point.
A DIY collection center is a facility that can only accept used oil from DIYers. DIY collection centers are not required to register with ADEQ. Operators of this type of facility usually impose some restrictions, such as a 5-gallon limit, on DIYers who use their facility. Although the DIYers who bring used oil to a DIY used oil collection center are unregulated generators of used oil, the DIY collection center itself is a regulated used oil generator. Since DIY collection centers are not required to register with ADEQ, ADEQ does not maintain a list of these facilities. Typical examples of DIY collection centers include automotive retail stores and service stations that accept used oil from DIYers, but not from businesses.
A used oil collection center is a facility that accepts used oil from regulated used oil generators such as businesses, school and municipal maintenance facilities. Although by law this type of facility can only accept a maximum of 55 gallons of used oil per load, many such facilities impose an even smaller per-load limit. This type of facility may also accept used oil from DIYers. Used oil collection centers are classified as a regulated used oil generators and must register with ADEQ.
A used oil aggregation point is a facility that accepts used oil from satellite, field, or regional facilities, which it also owns, operates, or controls. Used oil aggregation points are not required to register with ADEQ. This type of facility is classified as a regulated used oil generator.
California
California Tribal Example
The Quartz Valley Tribe is certified through the State of California as a used oil collection center. Quartz Valley tribal members and residents can bring their used oil to the Tribal Administration Office during business hours.
California – Used Oil Recycling Program
In 1991 the California State Legislature passed the Oil Recycling Enhancement Act to address the significant threat to California's environment from illegally dumped used oil. As a result of the act, the California Integrated Waste Management Board has certified over 2,700 used oil collection centers that will take used oil from the public and even pay a 40-cent-per-gallon recycling incentive. The Board also offers grants to local governments for used oil collection and education programs.
- Finding a used oil collection center
- Starting a used oil collection center
(From the State’s website) To be eligible for certification by the California Integrated Waste Management Board, your center must accept used lubricating oil from the public at no charge during the hours that the center is open and offer the $0.40 per gallon to them. A certified center must also provide notice to the public, through on-site signs and periodic advertising in local media, of the center’s acceptance of used lubricating oil. - Grant funding for used oil program and containers
Nevada Tribal Example
Reno Sparks Indian Colony
The Tribe conducted a pilot project to determine if a motor oil recycling program could be implemented as an alternative to open dumping. The Tribe established an area for motor oil recycling and a Standard Operating Procedure for collection and management of these wastes. In addition, the Tribe purchased several collection drums and set up secondary containment in case of a spill.
Nevada