Used oil is considered the single most potentially hazardous material in Canada if not managed properly. Used antifreeze is toxic; dumping it can cause serious water quality problems.
Beginning in 1996, the used oil materials recycling model managed by the Saskatchewan Association for Resource Recovery Corp. (SARRC) has demonstrated it works environmentally, economically and socio-economically.
The Recycling Program for Used Oil, Filters and Containers was developed by the Saskatchewan Waste Management Advisory Group (WMAG) and the Western Canada Used Oil, Filter and Container Task Force (WCTF).
To develop, implement and maintain Saskatchewan’s single, cost-effective, province-wide Used Oil Materials Recycling Program, SARRC was formed on February 12, 1996 under the Non-Profit Corporations Act of Saskatchewan.
SARRC added antifreeze and antifreeze/diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) containers to the Used Oil, Filter & Container Recycling Program April 1, 2014. The program, which is approved by Saskatchewan Environment, was developed after extensive consultations with industry, environmental groups, governments and other stakeholders.
The program is funded by an Environmental Handling Charge (EHC) assessed on new oil, oil filters, antifreeze and plastic oil/antifreeze/DEF containers at the first point of sale or distribution in Saskatchewan. The EHC is not a government tax, but a user-paid levy and is used solely to operate the collection of used oil, used oil filters, used antifreeze, and used plastic oil/antifreeze/DEF containers (up to 50-litre capacity).
