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 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.
HOW CAN I KEEP USED MOTOR OIL CLEAN?
WHY CAN'T I DUMP MOTOR OIL IN THE TRASH, SEWERS OR STORM DRAINS?
WHAT ABOUT OIL FILTERS?
WHY CAN'T I DUMP OIL FILTERS IN THE TRASH?
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:
If you are a resident:
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.
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.