I'm flabbergasted that the fine for this is so low.

I applied for a job at Jiffy Lube several years ago. When the manager saw I had a associate's degree(2yr degree, in computer repair) he referred to me as "college boy" for the rest of the interview. He also told me flat out about 10min into the interview that "We are basically screwing the customer, so you need to be nice to them so they don't notice."

I just about sprinted for my car when the interview was over. And hung up on them when they called me back to tell me I had the job.

I once had to rat out a service station that was letting anti-freeze drain into the sewers.

I used to walk by that place every day, and there was always a stream of anti-freeze trickling into the gutter. Finally I went in and asked what the deal was. I was told it was a "spill". I called them on it and pointed out that anti-freeze is toxic if ingested by people or pets. Their reaction? "Get out of my store."

So I called the EPA, who set me up with a local agency. About 2 weeks later, the "spills" stopped. No idea if they got fined or not (I hope so). I'm sure this kind of thing is WAY more common than we'd like to think.

I know in NY any business that sells oil is legally obligated to take the old oil in return... I've gotten the "our tank is full" line too many times, now I usually turn it over to the township that sells it to a recycler for pure profit.

I assume that $2.50 "environmental surcharge" will go toward paying the fine.

Assuming that Jiffy Lube was illegally dumping oil for 7 years and all 31 locations are involved, the $350K fine works out to $1612.90 per location per year. With "environmental surcharges" of $2.50 per oil change, it would take 645 oil changes per location per year (or 1.77 oil changes per location per day) to break even.

With such low impact fines and high profit "environmental surcharges", it is easy to see why Jiffy Lube has not cleaned up their act.

@Smoking Pope: That's even worse because it's not going into the sanitary sewer system, it's going into the storm sewer system, which is not treated before being dumped into a body of water.

So, can the people who got oil changes there and paid the environmental/recycling fees get a refund on that portion? Obviously, the Jiffy Lube wasn't appropriately charging those fees if they just dumped the oil into the sewer system...

@valen: This isn't all locations and it isn't a continuous thing. This was a one time deal, their holding walls cracked and let in water, the recycling company that usually takes their used oil wouldn't take it with water in it so instead of paying someone to clean out the tank properly they just dumped everything down the drain.

@wardawg:
FTA: In addition, although the fines are addressing illegal discharges in 2006 and 2007, employees have stated that it's been going on since 2002. And in 2003, Heartland was fined $50,000 for the same illegal discharge activity at a different location in the city.

Not sounding like a "one time" deal.

I am disgusted by this. Since I have used Jiffy Lube in the past, I used their customer feedback form to let them know I am discontinuing the use of their brand until they clean up the mess created by their franchisee. I don't even live in Texas and it just pisses me off. I mean come on - how long has it been know that used motor oil is not something that can be dumped down the drain? This is just inexcusable behavior by a company franchisee.

[www.jiffylube.com]

I work on the same street where this Jiffy Lube was located when it was open (Burnet Rd), and I have frequented a Jiffy Lube 2 miles away (Parmer Ln) that I now assume is owned by the same corporation.

I am unable to tell if the local management was as high up as this went, or if corporate was aware. If it's local management and they are no longer in place, then I have no problem continuing to frequent the same location I've gone to since 2003 (not exclusively, mind, but that's because they don't do state inspections). If this is a corporate problem, then I'd like to know so I can stop going to Jiffy Lube altogether.

I live in Austin and this really chaps my hide.

My wife uses Groovy Lube. I just go to Honda for my oil changes. They have free wifi so I can surf Consumerist.

Well, damn, now I feel guilty for taking my used oil to the local Jiffy Lube this weekend for them to dispose of...

@ionerox: Sounds like a class action.

Dont they understand that they are polluting the water they drink and shower with? Why don't they go food shopping come home and piss on their groceries?

300k fine for this is too low for it to not happen again.

@wardawg: It seems strange that a company that exists to take oil does not have a way to take oil from that sort of mixture. Oil and water separate very easily, why they cant suck the oil from the layer it is in without taking the water makes little sense...

Inexcusable.

@SJ Stanaitis: I've gotten the "our tank is full" line too many times

At some point I think I would just put the oil down and walk away. What are they going to do?

The fines need to be much higher. Try 500k for first offense, 1.5m for second and add 500k for each additional incident.

@valen: yep I thought the total was low, especially considering they have done it multiple times before. Thanks for doing the math.

I wonder how much it would have cost to dispose of properly? It seems like you would want to charge them at least 3 times the cost of doing it right.

@Canino: pour it down the drain apparently

I think the Environmental Protection Agency might want a word with Jiffy Lube...

So they will pay the fine and after a few months start doing it again. They consider the fine just part of the ledger, the cost of doing business. It is far cheaper to dump it than to do in correctly. Unless they are truly punished (it becomes more expensive NOT to follow the law) they will continue to laugh at the law.

@MikeHerbst: I am as well... it should be something like 1.1 times the cost of cleanup just so that they DO decide to get off their butts and do the right thing.
Money is the only language businesses are fluent in, after all.

I don't think corporate headquarters condoned this but when they didn't see an entry for hazard waste removal on that stores books I don't think they cared to question it either .

@savdavid: I think this is the mentality of many a franchise owner . I hate to think what some of these garages are doing with stuff like batteries . Or flourescent bulbs thrown out in mass .

At least they caught these guys .

@savdavid: THIS.

I believe that fines should be proportional to the income of the perpetrator - that they're not means the rich see it as pocket change / cost of doing business and the poor end up bankrupt or in extreme stress.

@Tonguetied: You could've saved the gas and poured the oil down the drain yourself

Someone should spend some jail time for this. That'll put a stop to it!

Let the market decide.

Glad I change my own oil and take it to Advance Auto for disposal. My only problem is antifreeze. There is nowhere to take it. I've had probably a gallon of the stuff in a container for like 2 years now from when my truck had a water pump leak and I had to drain what was left. I asked Advance, and several other places in town, and they said dump it down the drain. I said I am not doing that. They said fine, dig a hole in the back yard and bury it. I said I am not doing that either!

I am astonished at this. First off, the excuse as to why the oil wasn't recycled is beyond me. My previous job was with a "major retailer" before the position was eliminated in a cost saving move (apparently having an accident increase of 185% is better than paying someone under 40K per year). It was REQUIRED that used and new oil be stored in double walled metal retaining tanks. This wasn't a company thing. It was an EPA requirement. Moreover, there are dozens of companies in the US the remove oil from sites that are contaminated with water. How else do you think they clean the floors? With hopes and dreams?

@Saboth:

I would see if there are any places around town that disposes of household hazardous waste.

You could also maybe try calling an antifreeze manufacturer.

@Saboth:
My suggestion, take it with you camping. Start a fire, slowly pour it in. Antifreeze is such a hastle that just a gallon isn't going to hurt anything, except carpet.

@Jesse:

Another suggestion: Did you try going to a auto shop?

@wcnghj: 500k...1.5m...business shut down sounds more approiate for the third strike.

@Saboth: Remember, Google is your friend.
'where to recycle antifreeze *state*'
I came up with quite a few near me in Georgia, but it may be different if you a further away from a major metro area.

I think this calls for a flash mob. A flash mob that simultaneously pulls down their pants and give these nimrods a taste of their own medicine. I wouldn't want to be cleaning that up if I worked at Jiffy Lube.

@Smoking Pope: What does an antifreeze spill even look like? Also, what kind of operation would require spilling so much of it? Is antifreeze 'used up' and replaced like other fluids?

@GrandizerGo: Not only do they separate easily, but they are immiscible to begin with.

@Saboth: According to the internets, it is apparently ok to pour down the drain if you do not have a septic tank, but putting it in the ground is kind of obviously a terrible idea (that auto repair guy might just be an idiot).

There is no EPA guideline for the disposal of antifreeze, apparently.

@MikeHerbst: Me too. I'm guessing it's because it's a violation of state law and not federal, so maybe it's politically difficult for Texas to set a higher fine?

@dmuth: They might, but because they were dumping it into the city's sewage system, there could be a problem of jurisdiction. Bodies of water = EPA. Municipal systems = local and/or state. If whatever you dump into your drain passes through the city system, can't break down, and ends up polluting the water, the city (or state) will probably end up with the fine. Which they will pass on to you, of course. But once it's in their system, it's technically their problem, which is unfortunate.

However, the state may be interested in having EPA investigators assist with looking into Jiffy Lube in the area and dropping by for a lot of inspections.

@MikeHerbst: Why do you hate American businesses that create jobs for hardworking families, you regulation-loving socialist?

/goptalkingpoint

@HiPwr: It does. Hoping the people who usually whine about frivolous lawsuits here crawl back under their rocks.

@oneandone:
I am personally shocked it hasn't gotten to that point. If their storage really is that bad, the states EPA will step in with a permanent injunction and close them until they can pass "inspection"

@ludwigk: Antifreeze is typically an oily syrup tinted green or pink, and looks like the ichor of a hemorrhaging glow stick. Yes, it is supposed to be replaced periodically. The usual brew is toxic but supposedly very sweet and irresistable to dogs.

Service shops occasionally run "flush yer radiator" special deals, when they might replace a lot folks' antifreeze at once. So a garage could easily accumulate a big ol' barrel of green goop. I'm sure it is tempting to just let it trickle into the sewer.

Caveat Emptor! I used to get my oil changed at these quick lube joints until one flattened the threads on the aluminum oil pan. Don't know if it was the Jiffy Lube or Valvoline place. I only change the oil at the dealer now.

@Pixel:

Star eyewitness for the prosecutor?

How many times does Jiffy Lube have to rip off customers, break laws and get fined before the entire chain is just shut down?