Everyone using oil – at home, work or in their leisure pursuits – has an important role to play in preventing pollution.
For even a small spillage has the potential to harm the environment and wildlife and lead to expensive clean-up operations.
Delegates attending a seminar held on Monday (7 February) heard that the number of serious oil spills in Scotland has more than doubled in the last year.
The conference, organised by the Scottish Oil Care Campaign and hosted by West of Scotland Water, agreed to ensure that people using oil should be aware of how to handle it carefully and the best methods for its disposal after use.
The initiative has the full backing of Andy Kerr MSP, Chairman of the Transport and the Environment Committee, who addressed the seminar.
He told delegates: "The Scottish Executive is working to protect the water environment, specifically from the problems encountered by oil.
"Later this year we will be consulting on new regulations covering the design standards of new and existing above ground oil storage facilities in the industrial, commercial and institutional sectors.
"We are also concerned that we do everything possible to ensure that our pollution controls adequately protect and coastal and marine environment from oil spillages.
"I wish the Scottish Oil Care Campaign every success. "
The seminar was the first public event organised by the Scottish Oil Care Campaign and highlighted the environmental benefits of good oil handling and disposal.
Campaign co-ordinator Rachael Dunachie said: "The number of significant water pollution incidents caused by irresponsible disposal of oil and accidental spillages is a matter of great concern.
"We are encouraged by the level of interest generated today and the range of organisations represented. Our aim is to make people aware of the harmful impact oil can have on the environment, to help prevent pollution and to promote increased recycling."
Speakers at the conference included representatives from, Scottish Environment Protection Agency, Scottish Natural Heritage, Telluric, Greenway Orcol , Middlesex University and West of Scotland Water.
Ernie Chambers, Chief Executive West of Scotland Water, said: "As a funding partner, West of Scotland Water firmly supports the Scottish Oil Care Campaign and was delighted to host the seminar.
"West of Scotland Water works to protect the environment as we depend on it for our water supply and for assimilating waste water.
"We are aware that our operations have a direct impact on the environment and that we have a duty to protect and enhance such an important resource."
The public can call free on 0800 66 33 66 to find the location of their nearest oil recycling bank.
If an oil spill occurs, call the Emergency Hotline free at any time on 0800 80 70 60.
for more information contact
Niall Gordon
Press Office
Tel 0141 355 5491
Fax 0141 355 5115
Email : PR@westscotlandwater.org.uk
419 BALMORE ROAD, GLASGOW, G22 6NU
Notes to Editors:
- The Scottish Oil Care Campaign is a partnership of West of Scotland Water, East of Scotland Water, North of Scotland Water Authority, Recycling Advisory Group Scotland, Scottish Environment Protection Agency.
The Scottish Oil Care Campaign was launched in January 1999 to encourage and inform good practice to help prevent oil pollution. It actively promotes the Oil Care Code, the Oil Bank Information Line and the Emergency Incident Hotline.
