Articles for NORA - Association of Responsible Recyclers

DES MOINES - West Branch middle-school students Andrea Mundell and Marisa Kaufman got to see their science project become state law on Monday. Mundell, 12, Kaufman, 13, and 15 of their classmates accompanied their science teacher Hector Ibarra to the state Capitol to witness Gov. Chet Culver sign into law two bills that they had a hand in bringing to the attention of state lawmakers this year. Ibarra and his students were looking for ways to take hazardous materials out of Iowa... [More Info]

NORA Member Environmental Resource Associates announces the availability of a new natural line of absorbent. An eco-friendly line of absorbent pads made of natural plant by-products, and featuring woven construction, has been introduced by Oil Eater. Designed to provide a safer and cleaner workplace, they help companies to meet OSHA and EPA requirements. The line includes Oil Only Pads and Rolls, Universal Pads and Rolls and Absorbent Socks. The pads will absorb up to 20... [More Info]

Partnering with the environmental award-winning oil recycler, Oil Re-Refining Company, Oregon HEAT is ramping up a new and different kind of statewide oil donation program. This endeavor will help ease the burden on low-income Oregonians who face volatile heating oil prices, all while reducing petroleum waste products in Oregon. The oil program also helps Oregon HEAT and its partners reach more at-risk families and expand service to new areas of Oregon. “The recent... [More Info]

In recognition of significant waste diversions achieved from October 2006 through September 2007, the Arnold Engineering Development Center received the Government Recycler of the Year award on January 18 from the Tennessee Recycling Coalition. In her award notification to AEDC, Gail Randolph, Chair for TRC Awards stated, "The men and women at AEDC provide an outstanding service to our nation in testing for our future air and space systems and supporting the war on terror. While... [More Info]

The biodiesel industry in Germany is nearing a state of collapse because of a tax increase that kicked in at the first of the year, according to a report on Reuters. Biodiesel refiners in Germany are only producing at 10 percent capacity, according to the Reuters story from a European biodiesel conference. That's down from 20 percent the year before. Because of the downturn, some biodiesel manufacturers are taking apart their factories and selling the equipment to manufacturers in... [More Info]

Attempts to cut the red tape governing recycled waste vegetable oil have been broadly welcomed by Europe's largest environmental technology trade association as a "positive step". However, the Environmental Industries Commission - which represents 320 environmental technology and service bodies - has criticized some elements of the biodiesel Quality Protocol being developed by the Environment Agency and WRAP. In particular, it is warning that a company recycling oil into biodiesel under... [More Info]

In South Africa last year, over R1-million was paid out in environmental incentives (EIs) for used oil collections between March and August, says the Recycling Oil Saves the Environment (Rose) Foundation. The Foundation targets the used oil industry with the aim of increasing environmental compliance and encouraging oil collectors and recyclers to operate in a safe and responsible manner in the oil industry, through the use of environmental incentives. National Oil Recycling... [More Info]

Last week, the California Integrated Waste Management Board launched a campaign to urge California motorists not to change their oil every 3,000 miles, as is often recommended by lube shops or car dealerships. The goal is to go green by going longer until that next oil change. According to a recent survey, a lot of oil gets thrown away needlessly, said Jamie Cameron-Harley, a spokeswoman for the waste board. Three-quarters of Californians change oil more often than they should. ... [More Info]

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On December 5, 2007, Siemens Water Technologies reached a deal with Formento de Construcciones y Contratas, S.A. (FCC) of Madrid, Spain for the sale of its Hydrocarbon Services Group. The deal is expected to close on January 31,2008. The unit will do business as FCC Environmental.

Heartland Petroleum LLC is pleased to announce that they have received their PTI permit from the Ohio EPA and have already broken ground on their new 15 million gallon per year oil refining facility. The new plant will be located in Columbus, Ohio and will produce a group II plus base oil. The construction should be completed and the plant in full operation by May 2008.

Recent article from Canada on burning used motor oil in space heaters may soon be illegal in most of Ontario, the province has announced. Includes a link to the proposed legislation.

Pennsylvania veal farmer diversifies his business by starting an oil filter reclaiming business.

Voyager Petroleum, Inc. (fka Voyager One, Inc.) (OTCBB:VYGO) announces the signing of a purchase agreement on a facility for use in storing and processing recycled oil in Detroit, MI.

NORA member Bill Briggs provides a look back at the origins of the used oil industry and a look at the four types of re-refining operations. He also offers his opinion about re-refining as the preferred method for handling used oil.

According to the attached landmark study, it is recommended that state DOT’s allow recycled fuel oils as a fuel for Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) plants. Specifically, the study concludes that there is no evidence of any effects of fuel type, quality or combustion conditions on HMA performance or combustion. Cost savings possible through allowing the use of alternate fuels were estimated to be in the range of one to two dollars per ton of hot mix. This study was funded by the US DOT and performed

NORA members are sometimes required to provide a Material Safety Data Sheets to clients. NORA members may use the attached template as a tool to help create their own MSDS sheet for Used Oil.

Governor, Bob Riley, recognized Aaron Oil Company, Inc. for their third year as a Charter Member of the EPA’s National Environmental Performance Track.