Federal grant to assist county, cities

Glenn County will apply for a used oil recycling grant that will benefit Willows and Orland, too.

Orland is continuing its participation in this program with a vote by the City Council last week.

It endorsed a block grant application to get funding through the California Integrated Waste Management Board. The county would manage the grant on behalf of the two communities.

Orland City Manager Paul Poczobut Jr. said the program has been going for many years, and he recently received a letter from the county asking the city to be involved again.

Glenn County sent the same letter to Willows City Manager Steve Holsinger who said his city also is on board with having the county administer the grant and pay for program advertising among other services.

Orland Councilman Paul Barr said the oil recycling has been going for more than 16 years with the grants coming in cycles.

It provides recycling stations for used oil that includes containers, crushers and more, Barr said. "It keeps a lot of oil out of the landfill."

A state surcharge on oil and oil filters pays for the program, city officials said.

However, none of the Orland Council members seemed to know where the recycling stations are located - prompting Orland resident Byron Denton to suggest the city publicize where they are.

To that end, Glenn County has a listing of used oil and filter recyclers on page one of the AT&T phone book's Green Pages, according to County Solid Waste Manager Mandy Kleykamp.

This listing is paid for out of the state used oil recycling grant funding, she said. The grant usually is $20,000 a year to Glenn County.

Kleykamp added on Monday people also may take these waste items out to the landfill on County Road 33 west of Artois.

"We have 11 certified green recycling centers in Glenn County," she said. There are some in Orland and a few in Willows as well.

Holsinger said the Willows Public Works Department's corporation yard accepts used oil from the public - Monday through Friday during normal business hours at no cost.

Kleykamp said the landfill accepts used oil and oil filters from the public for free at a designated building near the front gate.

It does not take oil and filters from car dealers and auto shops, Kleykamp added, because such commercial facilities must have their own disposal permits.

However, some companies that use delivery vans or a small vehicle fleet can bring 20 gallons or more of used oil a month to the landfill, she said, if they qualify.

Those who bring oil to the landfill for recycling are asked to keep it separated from water, paint or other contaminants since it cannot be recycled with other substances, Kleykamp said.

The landfill also takes automatic transmission fluid and similar liquid oils, she said, but it cannot take heavy grease.

People may dispose of car batteries, flashlight batteries, computer and television monitors and a host of other recyclable goods at the landfill as well.

For more information, call the landfill's main gate at 624-0286.