For many years StarKist Samoa took used oil collected from the American Samoa Power Authority as well as used oil collection points around the island.
However after a cannery boiler got damaged, the company stopped accepting the used oil to protect the integrity of its boilers.
If not properly disposed, used oil can threaten water resources and public health.
Last year the American Samoa Environmental Protection Agency initiated efforts to remove the accumulated used oil on island with assistance from various government agencies and the private sector.
The Coast Guard identified the James Cook fuel tanker as the only option for the territory to dispose of the collected used oil.
In September 133,082 gallons of discarded oil was loaded onto the JC Tanker for disposal. In November 56,285 gallons was taken off the island.
The ASEPA report in the Governor’s State of the Territory comprehensive report said under the leadership of the Office of the Governor, “our collaborative approach to this waste management enables us to export the waste and reduce pollution and disaster risk.”
ASEPA will continue to explore sustainable options to either reuse and or recycle used oil on island or dispose it off island.
