SECTIONS 48600 - California Statutes

PUBLIC RESOURCES CODE

SECTION 48600

48600. The Legislature finds and declares the following:
(a) The problem posed by used oil disposal requires a
comprehensive, statewide response, including, but not limited to,
eliminating illegal disposal, reducing landfill disposal of used oil,
reducing pollution from stormwater runoff, recycling of used oil
into new uses, and the promotion of secondary markets for recycled
oil products.
(b) That the improper or illegal disposal of used oil, often mixed
with other solid waste, is a potential source of stormwater
pollution and that environmental education and mitigation efforts
regarding proper management of used oil and oil byproducts is within
the purposes of this chapter.
(c) California currently generates about 161 million gallons of
used lubricating and industrial oil each year, and only about 50
percent of that oil is recycled.
(d) The scarcity of used oil collection centers and programs, and
the charges imposed on consumers for recycling used oil, create
economic disincentives for recycling that could be addressed through
a recycling incentive program.
(e) Used oil represents a valuable state resource that should be
reclaimed and recycled whenever possible. An abundance of used oil
recycling alternatives exist that have been demonstrated to be
environmentally safe. These alternatives need to be promoted in order
to achieve the maximum use of used oil and prevent damage to the
environment.
(f) It is the intent of the Legislature to reduce the illegal
disposal of used oil and recycle and reclaim used oil to the greatest
extent possible in order to recover valuable natural resources and
to avoid damage to the environment and threats to public health.