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 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 (see the list below).
IMPORTANT: Don't mix oil with anything!
Locate a used oil recycling center near you
Find used oil and filter recycling drop-off locations near you. Search by city, county, or ZIP code using the CalRecycle search tool.
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.
Curbside oil & filter recycling collection
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.
