Used Oil Recycling Program

CalRecycle’s Used Oil Recycling Program promotes alternatives to illegal disposal and encourages the recycling of used oil.

 

 

 

Major Program Goals

  • Provide the public with convenient collection locations for used oil.
  • Develop methods to motivate the public to recycle their used oil.
  • Provide payments to local governments for developing and maintaining used oil and oil filter collection and recycling programs.
  • Provide grants to local governments nonprofit organizations, and for research and demonstration projects.

Learn More

  • The Used Oil Enhancement Act:
    • Discourages illegal disposal
    • Promotes used oil recycling statewide

      Publication Category

  • Read our collection of used oil publications on various topics, including:
    • Annual reports
    • Technical reports
    • Guidebooks
    • General public information
  • Learn more about rerefined oil.

Public Service Announcements

3000 Mile Myth
Audio (00:00:30) | PDF Transcript (2008) More information…

Used Oil Should Be Recycled
YouTube (00:00:32)

Used Oil Should Always Be Recycled
YouTube (00:00:26)

Recicle Aceite Usado (En Español)
YouTube (00:00:26)

What Are the Hazards of Used Oil?

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. 

Can Used Oil Be Recycled?

Yes, used oil is very recyclable. Used oil can be re-refined or processed into fuel oil. 

How Can You Help?

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.

What Is California Doing?

  • 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

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

California Oil Recycling Enhancement Act

 

For more information contact: Certified Collection Center, UsedOilCCC@calrecycle.ca.gov or Household Hazardous Waste, UsedOilHHW@calrecycle.ca.gov.