Used Motor Oil

If you are a "Do-It-Your-Selfer" and service your own personal vehicles, you may take your used motor oil to any of the collection opportunities listed below. A "Do-It-Your-Selfer" does not include service stations, lube oil shops, or similar businesses.
"Used oil" is defined as:

Oil that has been refined from crude oil, or any synthetic oil, that has been used, and, as a result of use or as a consequence of extended storage, or spillage, has been contaminated with physical or chemical impurities. Examples of used oil are spent lubricating fluids that have been removed from an engine crankcase, transmission, gearbox, or differential of a vehicle, heavy equipment, or machinery powered by an internal combustion engine.

"Used oil" does not include oil that has a flashpoint below 100 degrees Fahrenheit or that has been mixed with hazardous waste, other than minimal amounts of vehicle fuel.

Disposal of used oil by any of the following means is prohibited: 
  • Discharge to sewers, drainage systems, surface water or groundwater, watercourses, or marine waters;
  • Incineration or burning as fuel;
  • By deposit on land or use as a dust suppressant or insect or weed control agent.

No person who generates, stores, or transfers used oil shall intentionally contaminate used oil with other hazardous wastes except minimal amounts of vehicle fuel.  Brake fluid, antifreeze, or any other material must never be added to used oil.  Doing so is illegal, and may contaminate the entire drum or tank of used oil at the collection center, dramatically increasing recycling costs. Store the used oil in a closed container to prevent mixing with rainwater, which increases the cost of recycling.

Proper Disposal of used oil:

Individuals who generate household "do-it-your-self" used oil can transport up to 20 gallons of used oil in individual containers not exceeding 5 gallons in capacity to any of the following recycling opportunities:

As a "CESQG" (Conditionally Exempt Small Quantity Generator) you must be aware of the following:
  • DUE TO PERMIT RESTRICTIONS, USED OIL IS ACCEPTED FROM CESQG ONLY AT USED OIL COLLECTION CENTERS.

A household or CESQG transporting used oil to one of the above collection options is exempt from requirements 1) to use a hazardous waste manifest and 2) of a registered hazardous waste hauler if all of the following conditions are met:

  • The person transporting the used oil generated the used oil; and
  • The person transporting the used oil does not transport more than 20 gallons of used oil, and does not transport used oil in any container exceeding five (5) gallons in capacity.   Note: Individual recycling locations may place lower volume or container size limits on the shipments of used oil accepted.