Where To Drop Off Used Oil

Fun fact: Earth911 originally started equally a nationwide directory for where to recycle motor oil and filters, so we remember recycling these products is pretty of import. This guide is sponsored past ExxonMobil.

Why Recycle Motor Oil & Filters

According to the EPA, the used oil from one DIY oil alter can contaminate 1 million gallons of water if dumped into a storm drain.
Motor oil gets muddied while powering your engine, simply these elements can exist removed infinitely when oil is re-refined.
Information technology requires less energy to make a gallon of re-refined oil than crude oil, and a gallon of used oil offers 2.v quarts of lubricating oil, equal to 42 gallons of crude oil.
Oil filters are comprised generally of steel, which is the well-nigh usually recycled material in the world.

Motor Oil & Filter Recycling Preparation

When draining motor oil from your machine or other vehicles, make sure to put a container underneath to collect all oil. You may besides desire to put a sheet or tarp nether the container.
Use a secure container for collecting motor oil with a meridian that seals.
Do non mix in whatsoever other car fluids like antifreeze or brake fluid.
If you're collecting oil over time, note that virtually facilities will not have more than than v gallons at one time.
Employ a screwdriver to puncture the dome of your used oil filter, then turn it upside down and let it bleed into the motor oil container overnight.
Put your oil filter in a plastic handbag in one case it is fully drained.
Take your oil and filter to a collection center for recycling.

Notice a drop-off location for motor oil and filters near you at Earth911's iRecycleOil.

Detect Recycling Guides for Other Materials

Frequent Used Motor Oil & Filters Recycling Questions

Can I recycle used motor oil and filters in my curbside recycling program?

In some cities (mostly in California), y'all can recycle motor oil and filters at the curb. However, there will be packaging requirements, and you won't put them in your recycling bin/cart. In general, you should expect that if y'all're looking to get rid of oil, yous'll likely need to transport it to a recycling eye.

Is motor oil considered hazardous?

The Lawmaking of Federal Regulations specifically names used motor oil equally an exception to household hazardous waste matter (HHW) requirements as long every bit it hasn't been mixed with other hazardous liquids. This makes it much easier for retailers to collect motor oil from the public and brand sure information technology is properly recycled.

However, your country may have specific standards regarding the classification of used motor oil. Contact your land department of environmental quality to learn more.

Are motor oil containers recyclable?

By motor oil containers, nosotros mean the bottle the oil originally came in when y'all purchased information technology. Nearly motor oil containers are made of loftier-density polyethylene (HDPE, or #2 plastic), a highly recyclable plastic resin. However, motor oil containers are non food-grade plastic, which limits the recycling market. As a issue, some recyclers will not take them.

Where can I take my oil for recycling?

Most retailers that sell motor oil, including Advance Auto, AutoZone, O'Reilly Machine and Walmart Tire & Lube Express, will accept motor oil for recycling. Virtually service stations will besides accept oil, provided it is make clean. Your state may also maintain a list of certified oil collection facilities, and your community may take established drop-off sites.

How clean does my oil demand to be in order to be recycled?

Used motor oil will have all sorts of particles, including ground-up bits of the engine, h2o and dust. The darker the colour of the oil, the more necessary it is for an oil modify. Luckily, as long every bit you aren't mixing in other fluids, all motor oil from your vehicles should be accepted for recycling.

Do I need to change my filter with every DIY oil change or can I reuse it?

The respond to this depends on your car and how you lot bulldoze. Regardless of how oft you lot alter your filter, you should always recycle the old one when replaced.

What is an ABOP collection facility?

ABOP stands for Antifreeze, Batteries, Oil, Pigment — the types of materials accustomed at these centers. These are all recyclable materials that are ofttimes not accepted at household chancy waste (HHW) facilities, so ABOP sites provide alternative collection. They volition often accept oil filters too.

Are there whatsoever states that require motor oil/filter recycling?

Motor oil is banned from landfills in 38 states and the District of Columbia, making it 2nd behind only car batteries in the number of U.S. states that require its recycling. Oil filters are currently banned from landfills in N Carolina and Wisconsin.

How are motor oil and filters recycled?

Recycling motor oil involves removing any of the impurities, like pieces of the engine and water, in a process known as reconditioning. Additives tin can then be added so the oil can exist burned as fuel.

Oil filters are crushed into small pieces and heated in order to remove any remaining oil, which is collected and recycled. The filters are then shredded and sold equally scrap metal.

What is re-refined motor oil?

Re-refining takes the motor oil recycling procedure ane stride farther by removing all impurities from the used oil. The re-refining strips any additives and so goes through the same process equally refining crude oil. Re-refined oil must be qualified by the American Petroleum Establish using the same standards as crude oil earlier it is repackaged and sold to consumers and businesses.

Tin I make coin recycling motor oil and filters?

In some cases, yes. In California, yous tin can brand 40 cents per gallon if you bring your oil to a collection facility.

Many scrap metal recyclers volition take oil filters if they have been properly drained and pay you past the pound.

Boosted Reading

ten Things in Your Garage Y'all Tin can Reuse or Recycle: Oil and filters aren't the only things in your garage that y'all can properly dispose of
Why You Should Recycle Motor Oil, and How to Practise It: A step-by-step process for irresolute your ain motor oil
Valvoline Debuts Groundbreaking Re-Refined Oil: An in-depth await at ane company's effort to make re-refined motor oil