Pickup and Drop-off Locations
- Many cities collect used oil and used oil filters from your home for free. Search here to see if used oil and filters are collected curbside from your home or apartment, and to see other locations nearby.
- The State of California maintains a directory of certified used oil collection centers, available here. Certified Used Oil Collection Centers will take used motor oil from the public and will pay you 40¢ a gallon. Most centers will take up to 5 gallons at a time.
- IMPORTANT: Don't mix oil with anything! Motor oil that has been contaminated with other fluids such as antifreeze, solvents, gasoline, or water cannot be recycled and will not be accepted. Bring contaminated motor oil to a Household Hazardous Waste Facility instead.
Information for Boaters
Why recycle used oil?
Used oil is a hazardous waste that should never be put in the garbage or dumped in the storm drains or on the ground. Even just a ¼-gallon of motor oil can contaminate 250,000 gallons of water.
Steps to changing your motor oil for recycling
- Drain motor oil into a drain pan.
- Drain your oil filter for 24 hours...it can hold up to a quart of oil.
- Pour your used oil into a reusable container with a tight-fitting lid. Put your filter in a plastic bag or sealed container. Well-drained motor oil containers can go in the recycling cart.
- Take your oil and filter to a drop-off center or find out if they can be collected through your curbside recycling program.
