The California Association of Four Wheel Drive Clubs Conservation & Education Foundation Used Oil Recycling Program is reaching out to four-wheelers throughout the Golden State and Nevada.
According to Jack Raudy, grants manager for the Foundation, the program, entitled “Make the Grade,” was launched in May 2003 with a significant grant from the California Integrated Waste Management Board.
“We have three main messages that we are taking to the four-wheeling public,” Raudy said. “First, to reach do-it-yourselfers and let them know that there are many collection centers for used oil and oil filters including gas stations, local household hazardous waste centers and auto parts stores,” he said. “Next, we are emphasizing preventive maintenance before setting out on the trail and finally, we are instructing individuals and clubs about the importance of carrying a oil spill kit and how simple it is to use.”
In California, 20 million gallons of used motor oil are unaccounted for each year! Most of this oil comes from automobile and truck owners who change their own oil. By disposing of it improperly, the hazardous fluid seeps into the ground and contaminates drinking water.
Raudy said the Foundation Used Oil Recycling Program is comprised of a traveling “Make the Grade” exhibit and a trailhead survey program that is spearheaded by Steve Sampson and the Wine Country Rock Crawlers 4X4 Club.
During the past eight months, Raudy has taken the exhibit to the association’s annual Sierra Trek event, the Off Road Expo in Pomona, Panamint Valley Days near Ridgecrest, Winter Fun Festival in Grass Valley and, more recently, the association’s convention and off road expo in Reno, Nevada.
“Clearly, our story is not as sexy as a Jeep roll bar rack or the latest in dual transfer cases,” Raudy said, “but everyone who visits our booth has positive comments about a public education program to protect the environment.”
People visiting the “Make the Grade” booth are treated to a 12-minute video about the program and provided with a bag of giveaways including a low-pressure tire gauge, oil funnel, magnet, shop rags, a coloring book and crayons.
“I had an elementary school teacher stop by the booth in Reno,” Raudy said, “and she was so impressed with our message that she asked for 24 coloring books that she planned to give to her students.”
Sampson said the trailhead outreach program has already attracted more than 50 clubs that have signed up to conduct the surveys. “This is a terrific way for clubs to make money and perform a valuable service,” Sampson said.
“We still need more clubs to sign up and go out to popular four-wheel drive and other OHV areas and simply conduct a simple and quick survey of the people using the trails. It only takes a few club members to do the survey and usually only a few hours to complete the job. For each day worked, your club will receive up to $200.”
For more information on the Foundation Used Oil Recycling Program, contact Jack Raudy at (530) 389-9154 or email jraudy@foothill.net. To participate in the club survey outreach program, contact Steve Sampson at (707)823-9610 or email Sampson4wd@aol.com.
