Welcome to the Certified Collection Center Program

Recycle Used oil & filters phone 1-800-cleanupThis website is designed to provide information and assistance to operators of California’s Used Oil Certified Collection Centers (CCC). You will find information on several topics summarized here. For more detail, many of the sections provide links to documents or forms.

When you become a State-certified Used Oil Collection Center and accept used motor oil from the public you increase your customer traffic, provide a valuable service to your community, and receive a recycling incentive from CalRecycle.

If you would like to download all of these materials in a single document, link to the complete CCC Operators Guide. You may also want to visit the page on Used Oil Certified Collection Center FAQs.

Collection Center Basics

This section summarizes key aspects of the Certified Collection Center program.

Funds for this program are derived from a 24 cents per gallon fee added to the cost of lubricating oil in California. The funds are managed by CalRecycle which pays the incentive claims available to you as a Certified Collection Center. CalRecycle also distributes money to local city/county Used Oil Recycling Programs through the Oil Payment Program (OPP). The OPP money can be used to educate the public about recycling oil and filters, and also to assist certified centers.

Becoming a Collection Center

This section is designed for people considering participating in the program for the first time. It reviews the benefits and obligations of certification, and also includes detailed instructions for completing the application form.

Contacts

The Used Oil Certified Collection Center Unit can be contacted for questions regarding certification or incentive claims:

Phone Number: (916) 341-6690
or Email: UsedOilCCC@CalRecycle.ca.gov (Certification)
UsedOilClaims@CalRecycle.ca.gov (Incentive Claims)

Signs

All Certified Collection Center signs are free and will be shipped directly to your location. Use the online request form or call (916) 341-6690 to place an order.

Accepting Used Oil Filters

This is an important part of serving as a Certified Collection Center. Do-it-yourselfers (DIY) don’t always understand that filters as well as used motor oil must be recycled. It is illegal to throw filters in the trash. This section explains how you can help.

Advertising Your Status as a Certified Collection Center

As soon as your business becomes certified by CalRecycle it is included in the searchable database. Local used oil recycling programs also publish lists of Certified Collection Centers in recycling guides and websites.

For additional ideas on advertising refer to this section.

Oil Drop Symbol. If you would like to include the official blue and gold oil drop symbol, you can download it from this graphics page. Information is also there about approved uses of the symbol including the appropriate colors to use.

Filing for the Used Oil Incentive Payment

As a Certified Collection Center, you are eligible to apply for used oil incentive payment funds. You must submit your request within 45 days of the end of each calendar quarter. Note: Incentive quarterly claims cannot be combined or submitted all at one time. Each quarter must be submitted separately. You can request funds at two levels:

  • For used motor oil brought to you by DIYers: 40 cents per gallon
  • For used motor oil you generate in your own business: 16 cents per gallon

For details on how to document the amounts of each oil type, and instructions for completing the incentive payment form refer to the section below. Also included is a NEW self-calculating form is designed to make applying easier and faster. Directions are included in this section of the manual.

If you are filing for MULTIPLE LOCATIONS, there is also a new self-calculating spreadsheet to assist you.

DIY Log Form: Only use a log if you collect both on-site generated oil and DIY oil and you claim both incentive amounts. If you only claim 16 cents per gallon for all oil collected, no log is required.

First Timers

The first time you apply for the incentive payment, there are two additional forms to complete. These are also described in the instructions.

How to Choose a Hauler

The hauling of used motor oil and filters is an industry that is going through changes. As companies consolidate and pricing structures change, you may find it helpful to compare the services available from different haulers.

A list of haulers of used motor oil and filters knows to CalRecycle to serve businesses to California. Note that information may not remain current and that no recommendation is implied by inclusion in this list.

Contaminated Oil Reimbursement Program

Contaminated oil is occasionally a problem for used oil collection centers. Used motor oil mixed with anything else including water cannot be recycled and must be treated and disposed of as a hazardous waste. Collection sites generally bear additional costs related to the handling, disposal, and clean-up of contaminated oil. While these incidents are relatively rare, some of these additional costs can be reimbursed through the Contaminated Oil Reimbursement Program.

Who is Eligible to File for Contaminated Oil Reimbursement?

  • Certified Collection Centers
  • Curbside Collection Programs
  • Publicly funded used oil collection sites located in rural counties. Rural counties are defined as counties with an annual disposal volume under 200,000 tons.

What Costs Can be Reimbursed?

CalRecycle can reimburse the additional disposal and clean-up costs of the contaminated oil that exceed the cost of picking up the same amount of uncontaminated oil.

Filing a Reimbursement Application

In order to file a reimbursement application, a contaminated used oil reimbursement application (CalRecycle 325) must be filled out. In addition, the site must supply the following information:

  • Lab tests showing the type and level of contamination.
  • A copy of the uniform hazardous waste manifests or manifest receipts showing all transportation of the contaminated oil.
  • Amount of actual total disposal and clean-up costs minus the amount normally charged to pick up the same amount of uncontaminated oil.
  • A copy of the invoice or receipt from a used oil hauler showing the disposal and clean-up costs related to the contaminated oil.
  • A detailed explanation of how the event occurred (summary of events) and a copy of the site’s established proceduresPDF download for preventing future contamination of oil with hazardous waste.

Additional Resources for Contaminated Oil

Illegal Dumping

Illegal dumping of hazardous waste is a serious offense, whether it is oil left outside your door after hours, other waste materials such as paint or pesticides left on your property, or emptied oil containers placed in your trash that contain enough residue to leak out.

Not all Certified Collection Center businesses experience these problems, and they are not confined to businesses that participate in the program. However, they can be very challenging to deal with. Once these materials are on your property, you are legally responsible to dispose of them properly.

This section suggests some tips for dealing with illegal dumping and ways that your local Used Oil Recycling Program manager may be able to help you.

Managing Spills and Drips

This section has information on how to maintain a clean and safe shop, comply with regulations regarding discharge of wastewater, and save money. The two following sections are excerpted from Proper Automotive Waste Management, a manual for auto shop classes developed by Shasta Community College in 2003. You can find the complete manual here.

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