The Used Oil Filter Exchange Non-Event Making the most of limited rural recycling opportunities A Project Funded by a Grant from the California Integrated Waste Management Board Steve Rodowick Butte County Recycling Coordinator CIWMB/DTSC HHW Conference November 4, 2009 & Oil Filters

What is a Filter Exchange Non-Event? A Filter Exchange Non-Event is an extended time period in which a Certified Center (Auto Parts Retailer) will take used oil filters for free exchange until funds delegated to that event have been exhausted. It is intended to “Create a habit” for DIYers to bring used filters to a CC as a matter of course. It is also designed for the convenience of the customer where Certified Centers are not as concentrated and opportunities for recycling of used oil and filters are limited.

Why an Extended Period? People are busy People are forgetful People are lazy People don’t always read your ads People don’t change their oil on your schedule; and… The public is your best (and cheapest) advertizing medium.

Preparation Identify a Certified Center that is willing to participate in the program.  Corporate level  District level  Store level Write into your Block Grant Application your work plan and budget. Maintain contact with all parties concerned

The Details Purchase a gift card to serve as the funding mechanism for the oil filters This card will be maintained on site by store personnel Ring up filter exchange sales separately Important! Keep receipts and UPC codes in a secure separate location. Have store personnel conduct a short (3 question) survey regarding used filter recycling.

Promotion Point of Sale pieces At the filters At the oil At the front counter

Promotion Newsprint Front Door On-line Store Front

Goals – Paradise Kragen Collect 250 used oil filters during program. Keep cost per filter collected under $12.00 Maintain a post event filter collection volume that exceeds previous year by 100%.*

Results - Paradise First week: 51 filters exchanged Second week: 54 filters exchanged Third week: 30 filters exchanged (Barrel 75% full) Fourth week: 25 filters exchanged Fifth week: 26 filters exchanged (Full Barrel) Sixth week: 28 filters Seventh week: 38 filters Eighth week: 40 filters Overall, 292 filters collected with an average overall cost per filter at $ * *Filter cost + promotion

Immediate Post “Non-Event” Results Recycled filter volume did not drop off significantly immediately after the end of the free exchange. Filters recycled during post “Non- Event” period averaged from 35 to 45 filters per week.

Long Term Results 18 months after free exchange period, recycled filter volumes maintain at about 50 per month. Customers periodically inquire about the next Free Filter Exchange.

Conclusions The open ended “Non-event” easily surpassed the filter count a one day event would have collected. Lack of accessibility and convenience was the main hindrance expressed by the public for not recycling filters. Over 60% of the public was unaware of the volume of residual oil in used filters. 92% of the public said they would to continue to recycle used oil filters after the exchange event. Over 40% of the participants stated that they learned of the event by word of mouth.

Kragen/O’Reilly Contact Tammy Bell Product Manager Assistant O'Reilly Auto Parts 233 S. Patterson Springfield, MO Phone: (417) Ext Fax:

Contact Info: Steve Rodowick (530) Questions?