How to dispose of car motor oil

You might find the proper disposal of old parts and fluids a dilemma, especially if you like to do your own car repairs and maintenance. Automotive fluids are highly toxic and can’t just be put in the garbage or poured down the sewer drain. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the oil from one car’s oil change can contaminate a million gallons of fresh water. Where do you get rid of these toxins in a way that does the least harm to the planet and your neighborhood? Here’s how to learn to dispose of used oil and other dangerous automotive fluids and parts.

Why should I dispose of used oil properly?

Oil recycling and proper used motor oil disposal is important. Improperly dumped motor oil, whether synthetic or regular oil, can leach into soil and cause irreparable groundwater contamination for years. If you do your own oil and filter changes, collect the dirty oil in a plastic jug that has a tight-fitting cap. Milk jugs or juice bottles work fine, but don’t use metal containers or plastic containers that have been used for other automotive fluids. Several companies re-refine used motor oil for use as an inexpensive lubricant for industrial applications. Bring the oil to a service station or “quick lube” shop — preferably no more than a week after changing the oil. If used oil sits for long periods, oxidation will occur and the oil cannot be as easily re-refined to recycled motor oil. Most franchise shops will accept small amounts of used oil at no charge. Some community curbside recycling programs will pick up used motor oil. Oil filters are also recyclable—the plastic can be recycled and the metal base can be reused. When you’re changing the car’s oil filter, make sure you drain as much oil from the oil filter before bringing it in, and wrap it in a small plastic bag.

While you’re at it, learn how to dispose of coolant. Never run a hose through your radiator to clean it out. Antifreeze is an extremely toxic substance to animals and fish — children and animals may be attracted to its sweet taste — and it can contaminate soil and water. Instead of running hose water through your radiator, it’s more environmentally friendly to drain, run for a few minutes filled with distilled water, drain, and refill again with the proper mix of coolant. Catch all of the coolant drained, and bring it to a recycling center. Coolant can be purified and recycled for reuse. Again, most service stations or “quick lube” shops or dealerships recycle coolant and will accept small amounts at no charge. 

Brake, transmission, and power steering fluids are also toxic and need to be stored, not dumped, and brought to a service station or lube shop for recycling or proper disposal. Keep each type of fluid separate, and always label the jugs after draining to remember what it is. 

Gasoline must also be stored and disposed of carefully. Gasoline is highly flammable, it’s toxic with just skin contact, and it can contaminate soil and water. If you ever need to drain your fuel tank or part of your fuel system, make sure to store the gasoline in an approved container. If you suspect that the fuel may be contaminated, bring the container to your area’s hazardous waste collection site for proper disposal.  

According to Brad Slater of the Automotive Recyclers Association, “One of the biggest obstacles in the recycling of automotive fluids is cross-contamination of different fluids, such as when people change their oil and collect it in the same jug as their coolant.” 

Where are the best places to dispose of used oil?

Wondering where to dispose of oil? The best places to dispose of used oil are automotive parts stores, dealerships, and service stations. Some communities may also accept or collect used oil at recycling centers.

5 steps to recycling used oil

Here’s how to dispose of motor oil and the proper steps to recycle oil.

Collect the used oil

The first step of oil disposal is to collect your used oil. When you are doing your oil change, drain the oil into a proper drain pan. These pans have drains or spouts to help move the oil into another container. Avoid letting debris or other fluids fall into the used oil.

Store it in a proper container

Store oil in a plastic jug, like a milk or juice jug. Don’t reuse containers from other automotive fluids, as these will contaminate the oil and may prevent it from being recycled. Use only plastic containers and don’t use metal containers for oil storage.

Save your oil filter

Oil filters can also be recycled. Drain as much oil from your used filter as you can, and then store the filter in a plastic bag. Most facilities that accept used motor oil will also accept oil filters for recycling.

Find a recycling center

When you’re buying your new oil and filter for your oil change, ask if the store will accept used oil for recycling. Most do, so you should be all set. If not, ask at a different store, or look online to see if your community has a hazardous waste collection or recycling site that will accept the oil.

Take the oil to be recycled

Plan to drop off your used oil for recycling within a week of your oil change. The longer the oil sits and degrades, the less effectively it can be recycled.

What are the uses of used motor oil?

According to the EPA, used oil can be recycled in several different ways. Motor oil does not wear out, the EPA notes, it simply gets dirty. After it’s cleaned, it can be reused, and it’s more energy effective than using crude oil to make more motor oil. However, recycled oil must meet high standards before it can be resold as motor oil. Additionally, used motor oil can be processed into fuel oils, rather than lubricating oils, or it can be reused as raw materials. Meanwhile, oil filters are recycled for scrap metal.