N.Z. could recycle more oil, P.M. says

Press, 12 April 1978, Page 3

N.Z. could recycle more oil, P.M. says

PA Wellington The recycling of used oil at present saves New Zealand S4M a year in overseas funds, according to the Prime Minister (Mr Muldon). “New Zealand imports about 80 million litres of lubricating oil each year and every litre recycled saves a dollar in overseas funds,” he said yesterday. However, only four million litres were at present returned for recycling. Mr Muldoon was speaking at the opening in Auckland of a new factory for Engine Rebuilders, Ltd, one of the companies in the M.S.I. Corporation, which rebuilds and recycles motorvehicle engines. Another M.S.I. company, the Dominion Oil Refining Company, Ltd, produces more than 50 quality lubricating oils by recycling used oils collected from industry and service stations throughout the North Island. Mr Muldoon said that one of these oils had been recommended by the Daimler-Benz Company and was being used in the Auckland Regional Authority’s Mercedes buses. He said that the four million litres at present returned for recycling in New Zealand compared unfavourably with West Germany, which recov-

ered up to 45 per cent of its lubricating oil for recycling. “Legislation there requires that all used oil be returned for recycling but I do not think this country would respon’ to compulsion,” Mr Muldoon said. ‘‘On the other hand, West Germany’s is a thrifty economy,” he said. ‘They know there what it is to rebuild after the devastation of war and to transform from ruin to having one of the healthiest economies in the world. “We have never had the traumatic experience that West Germany has had either in physical or mental terms, but nonetheless our economy

is under pressure and all sections must respond if we are to restore the standard of living we once enjoyed and all the ‘sacred cows’ associated with that.” Mr Muldoon said the Department of Trade and Industry was at present discussing with the Government Stores Board the possibility of making part of the board’s contract for bulk oil available to all firms refining used oil. “It is not an easy matter but, as I see it, one of the problems is reconciling competitiveness and recycling as a contribution to the economy by reducing our spending on imported fuels,” Mr Muldoon said.