Used Oil Recycling

Used motor oil, like other household hazardous waste, can harm the environment if it is not recycled or disposed of properly. If thrown in the trash or poured on the ground, used motor oil can seep into the groundwater we drink. If used motor oil is poured on the street, it will go down a storm drain and into the ocean.

 

Fewer oil changes saves you time and money, and helps protect the environment. Your car may not need an oil change as often as you think. Check your owner's manual for the recommended oil change interval number, or visit CheckYourNumber.org.

 

Residents can take their used oil to the Used Oil Collection Events, Certified Collection Centers, or S.A.F.E. Centers to dispose of it safely.
 

The City's automated 24-Hour Hotline provides recorded information on oil recycling and disposal in English and Spanish.

The 24-hour automated Hotline number is 1-800-98-TOXIC or 1-800-988-6942.

 

Callers can obtain information on the nearest oil recycling centers by punching in their zip code and listening to a recorded message that will list the various oil recycling centers, their locations and telephone numbers.

 

Motor Oil Image

HOW CAN I KEEP USED MOTOR OIL CLEAN?

 

  • When changing your oil, pour the used oil into a clean, empty, plastic container with a tight lid.
  • DO NOT MIX used motor oil with other substances such as gasoline, antifreeze, paint stripper or pesticides.
  • Mixing used motor oil with anything else will contaminate it.
  • Contaminated motor oil cannot be recycled and must be brought to a Household Hazardous Waste Mobile Collection Event for proper disposal.
     

WHY CAN'T I DUMP MOTOR OIL IN THE TRASH, SEWERS OR STORM DRAINS? 

 

  • Used oil is classified as a hazardous waste under California law and must be recycled or disposed of properly.
  •  Placing used oil into household refuse or commercial dumpsters or pouring it into sewers or onto the ground is prohibited by law because it can pollute our environment.
  •  One gallon of used motor oil can pollute one million gallons of drinking water - a year's supply for 50 people!

 

WHAT ABOUT OIL FILTERS?

  

  • Drain your used oil filters and seal them in a plastic zip-lock bag, a coffee can with a lid or other leak proof container. 
  • Take used oil filters in a container to an Oil Recycling Event or to a Household Hazardous Waste Mobile Collection Event for proper disposal (see below for locations and schedules).

 

WHY CAN'T I DUMP OIL FILTERS IN THE TRASH?

 

  • Used oil filters contain a pint to a quart of used oil before draining. Because of this, used oil filters must be disposed of properly so that they do not pollute our environment. 
  • A quart of motor oil can contaminate up to 250,000 gallons of drinking water!

 

 THE PROCESS FOR DISPOSING OF USED OIL:

 

  If you are a business:


For information about business recycling, please call Department of Public Works, LA Sanitation at 1-800-988-6942 and be prepared to provide:

 

  • Your name
  • Company name
  • Complete address
  • Telephone and fax numbers
  • The type of information you need

If you are a resident:

 

  • Call 1-800-98-TOXIC to find an oil recycling center in your neighborhood.
  • Do not mix used oil with any other product.
  • Keep your used motor oil clean by pouring it into a clean empty plastic container with a tight lid.
  • Place used oil in leak proof containers.
  • Keep all materials away from passengers during transport.
  • Certified recycling centers will not accept used motor oil brought in containers larger than five gallons.
  • Certified recycling centers will accept up to 20 gallons of used motor oil per individual per day, as long as they are in containers of five gallons or less.

 

WHERE CAN I TAKE USED OIL FOR RECYCLING?

 

There are a variety of places you can take used motor oil for recycling, including Oil Recycling Events, Oil Recycling Centers, and Household Hazardous Waste Mobile Collection Events.  Please see below for additional information on each of these options.

Bring clean, used motor oil to an Oil Recycling Event.

 

  • Events are free and are usually held on Saturdays from 9:00am-3:00pm in various locations throughout the City. 
  • There is an acceptance limit of 15 gallons of used motor oil per participant per day. 
  • Contaminated motor oil and other hazardous waste will not be accepted and must be brought to a Household Hazardous Waste Mobile Collection Event for proper disposal.

 

Oil Recycling Events are made possible by a grant from CalRecycle.

 

For a schedule of Oil Recycling Events, call our 24-hour Customer Care Center at 1-800-773-2489. There is an option to press a number (4) for "Household Hazardous Waste." This will transfer you to an operator who can assist you with used oil disposal. Operators are available Monday through Friday from 8:00am-4:00pm.