Used Motor Oil Recycling
Major Program Goals
Oil is a non-renewable and dwindling global resource, one that most of us depend on every day. Under state law, used oil is classified as a hazardous waste and must either be recycled or disposed or properly.
Currently, more than half of the used oil collected in California is shipped out of state or offshore to be burned as fuel, resulting in toxic air pollution (such as phosphates, sulfur, and heavy metals including zinc, cadmium, copper, lead and benzene) and CO2 being released into the atmosphere. California's strict air emissions standards do not allow the burning of used oil.
California generates more than 100 million gallons of waste oil each year, with currently only 10 percent of that used oil being recycled to produce lubricants in a closed loop preventing both human health and environmental impacts. The production of lubricating oil from used motor oil requires one third the energy to refine crude oil.
Existing law also requires the CalRecycle to pay a recycling incentive to entities that collect used oil and transport it to a used oil recycling facility. The board is also required to pay a recycling incentive to an electric utility for using used lubricating oil meeting specified requirements for electrical generation. An entity that generates used oil or a facility that accepts used oil is required to transport the used oil to a certified used oil facility or a registered out-of-state recycling facility.
How to Recycle Used Motor Oil
As the General Public:
You can take your oil to a certified collection center.
Many communities have curbside recycling programs that allow you to leave your oil at the curb (properly packaged).
You can have your oil changed by a service station that recycles the oil for you.
As Certified Haulers:
Take the oil from the collection centers or generators to a recycling facility.
As Businesses:
Small quantities of used oil can use the same options that the general public uses.
Certified collection centers (CCC) may set a maximum daily limit of 5 gallons per day.
With large quantities of used oil, call the CCC in advance.
If you use larger quantities, you may qualify to register as an industrial generator.
You will need to have your used oil picked up by a certified hauler.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Used oil can contain such contaminants as lead, magnesium, copper, zinc, chromium, arsenic, chlorides, cadmium, and chlorinated compounds.
Oil poured down drains or onto the ground can work its way into our ground and surface waters and cause serious pollution. One gallon of used oil can foul a million gallons of drinking water.
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You can participate in oil recycling by following these tips:
Drain your used oil into a clean container.
Do not mix any other materials, including water, with used oil.
Take your used oil to a household hazardous waste collection facility or a used oil collection site. To find the collection center nearest you, call 1-800-CLEANUP or see our database of certified used oil collection centers.
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CalRecycle has certified over 3,000 used oil collection centers that will take used oil from the public and even pay a 40-cent-per-gallon recycling incentive.
CalRecycle also offers grants to local governments for used oil collection and education programs.
CalRecycle works with other State agencies, such as the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), and the Coastal Commission, to deliver used oil recycling messages.
California Environmental Protection Agency’s toll-free hotline number 1-800-CLEANUP
Relevant Statute/Code Sections
Used Oil Statutes
Used Oil Management: Health and Safety Code, Section 25250.1-25250.25
Used Oil Recycling Enhancement Act: Public Resources Code, Section 48600 et seq.
Statutes can be retrieved from the Legislative Council’s website.
Used Oil Regulations
Current regulations: Title 14, Division 7, Chapter 8