Recycling/Disposal of Used Motor Oil

NEVER

• mix other substances such as antifreeze, paint thinner or parts cleaner with used motor oil.  This will contaminate the oil making it harder to recycle, and much more costly to dispose of.  Antifreeze, paint thinner, cleaners should be disposed of through your county’s Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program.

• Used oil generated by changing your car’s oil is recyclable. In fact, motor oil never wears out; it just gets dirty.
• You should NEVER dispose of used motor oil by pouring it down the sewer, dumping it on the ground, or putting it out with the trash!
• Used oil from a single oil change can contaminate one million gallons of fresh water, if allowed to seep into the ground.
• Toxic substances found in oil, such as lead and chemical additives can find their way into our lakes, streams and coastal water ways if not properly managed.
• Used motor oil can be recycled one of three ways:

– reconditioning—cleaned (filtered through a commercial filtration system extending the life and use);

– reprocessing or re-used—treatment to remove water or particles so that it can be burned as fuel to generate heat or electricity for commercial operations (turbines, power plants, cement kilns);

– re-refining—processes to remove impurities so that it can be used as base stock for new lubricating oil for motor vehicle use again (good as new).

• • Recycling used motor oil helps to protect the environment, by conserving a valuable petroleum resource.

The following is a list of local service stations that accept used motor oil from residents. Please note this list is subject to change. Always call first to confirm charges and/or continued participation.