July 1, 2023 update
Metro held a 30-day public comment period on the EcoLube Recovery, LLC solid waste facility license renewal application from April 13 to May 12, 2023. Metro received two comments during the comment period. On June 16, 2023, Metro issued a solid waste facility license to EcoLube Recovery, LLC. The term of the license began on July 1, 2023 and will expire on June 30, 2028. The license and staff report are now available.
Name and location:
EcoLube Recovery, LLC
11535 N Force Ave., Portland, Ore.
Description of facility and application
EcoLube Recovery, LLC (ELR) submitted an application to Metro to renew its solid waste facility license. The facility’s current license (No. L-175-17A) authorizes ELR to accept oil-contaminated solid waste including used oil filters, absorbent materials and other oily debris for processing, consolidation and transport to recycling facilities and disposal sites. The oil filters are crushed to remove residual oil which is re-refined on site, and the metal is consolidated and transported to a recycling facility. The absorbent materials and oily debris – such as rags, booms, pads and sawdust – are generated by automotive repair or similar businesses during the cleanup of minor spills of used oil, diesel and other non-hazardous liquids. The materials are consolidated at ELR and transported to a landfill. The facility has not proposed any changes to its current operation.
ELR has been licensed by Metro since 2017. The license authorizes the processing, consolidation and transfer of solid waste to recycling facilities and disposal sites. The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) oversees used oil and air emissions management at the facility, and ELR holds separate DEQ permits for those activities including a Solid Waste Disposal Site Permit for a Material Recovery Facility and Standard Air Contaminant Discharge Permit. The facility also holds an Industrial Wastewater Discharge Permit and 1200-Z Industrial Stormwater Permit, which are issued by the City of Portland. The property is zoned Heavy Industrial (IH) by the City of Portland and the facility’s proposed activities are allowed outright in this zone by the city.
A copy of the license renewal application can be downloaded via the link below. If approved, the renewed solid waste facility license would take effect on July 1, 2023 and remain in effect for five years. Metro will respond to comments received during the public notice period in a staff report, which will be posted to this webpage when available.