In NJ, any place that performs auto service is required to take the hazmat (coolant and oil). You can leave it anonymously at thee places from what Ive seen. The auto parts stores in PA make you log your info, but Ive never had such an issue.
Where I live now, we have a hazmat collection point in town. There is always a LOT of oil, coolant, batteries and tires there. Its all anonymous, we usually drop ours off late at night.
Id bet that most people who dump their oil are real idiots. Perhaps illegal or just third world trash who do here as they did there. Seriously... nothing wrong with them coming and wanting to succeed, but I see a lot of this. Joe sixpack dumping oil at the back of his property is contaminating his wellwater, so will be dealt with naturally.
Frankly, I think that the paradigm shift in thought and process has been underway since at least the mid-1980s. Recycling, dealing properly with trash, etc. is a topic that is well-engrained into our minds these days.
Years and years ago, people dumped grbage out their windows, they dumped their chamber pots into the street. People have become better informed and have improved their own processes since then. The problem with oil is that it doesnt stink, it doesnt stand out, and from any one engine or family's couple cars, it is a very small quantity to deal with, so those who do not think about it see it as a drop in the bucket.
I can see how deposit/refund doesnt work all that well for oil. However, that said, there are places where Ive had to pay a bottle deposit but then bottle recycling is a no-money operation... i.e. you can only return the product to specific places to get money, but can return it anywhere practically to get rid of it. Such a model would have the be it, since otherwise it is an undue burden. Otherwise, a hazmat or recycling fee could be levied. Let's face it, getting rid of this stuff is NOT free. Even if used in a burner or something, there is still labor and effort involved.
So, I see a few models:
-the effort/reward process: you have to pay a meager "deposit" on the oil, like you do on a bottle. You can return oil to this same place to recoup the deposit, but since only specific locations will pay, but there are many, many non-paying sites, it maintains simplicity while still offering a reward.
-A mailorder clause: I can see where folks such as Amsoil dealers would be against a deposit. However, what if there was a waiver? What if oil recycling was handled on a state or local level, but there was an overarching EPA regulation providing waivers? A receipt for mail-order oil would be all that is necessary, and then any location would have to take it and pay back a deposit. Since the deposit would be from a general fund, the money wouldnt be theirs anyway (kind of like when a corner store pays out a $500 lottery winner). For everyone else, it would be business as usual - deposit (potentially large) on oil get it back upon return. Since chances are folks taking the effort to mail-order oil are cognizant, they arent the ones to worry about - let them have a simple process to use any refund site. Its the other ignorant folks who arent aware of the need to recycle. Also, not getting a deposit back because of burned oil is a driver for proper maintenance, so it is a winner. Im not advocating against older cars, just against an poorly maintained/driven car.
-Increased vigilance: supposedly they can trace antifreeze back to peoples' homes. If something is put in a drain, it should be able to be traced. This would work for putting it down the drain, but not for draining it elsewhere, so it is weak.
-Increased training: paradigm shift that gets to all elements of society.
-A Hazmat surcharge: Like shops charge consumers, and a fee like most others, I think it would be reasonable to have a hazmat surcharge on oil. This surcharge wouldnt be refundable, but it would be a fee that would make people more cognizant of their oil's disposition. The fee paid would be used to make oil disposal wider spread, and offset the cost of doing so. It would enable, say, a collection point in every town instead of in limited locations or only at one spot in a county. It would offset the costs to retailers too, making them better endorse the offer to recycle oil.
Just some thoughts...
