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How & Where To Dispose of Motor Oil?
Disposing of motor oil safely and responsibly is crucial to ensure safety.
We’ve compiled the following guide to help you learn how and where to dispose of old motor oil and oil filters to avoid environmental contamination. Used oil collection centers often recycle motor oil, repurposing it for various applications. After discovering how and where to drop off your used oil, you can approach your next oil change with even more confidence.
What Are the Properties of Used Motor Oil?
Motor oils are petroleum-based products that reduce friction within an internal combustion engine.
One of the many consumable liquids required for optimal engine performance, motor oil also regulates engine temperatures, removes contaminants, prevents corrosion, and dampens vibrations. Under normal operating conditions, oil degrades over time and must be changed regularly. Understanding these properties is crucial, and it's where an oil analysis can provide valuable insights.
However, used oil exhibits several characteristics that complicate its disposal, similar to other automotive fluids. Such features make it more challenging — but not impossible — to dispose of it properly.
Used motor oil requires responsible disposal because it is:
- Water insoluble
- Comprised of heavy metals and toxic chemicals
- Slow to degrade
- Detrimental to wildlife
- A significant source of water contamination
Although dumping used motor oil down the drain or on your property may seem harmless, the widespread effects can be staggering. The oil seeps into the ground, polluting the soil and water supply and affecting local animal populations. Improper disposal of used motor oil is also a criminal offense in many states and comes with steep fines and penalties.
How To Dispose of Motor Oil
Properly disposing of used motor oil starts with approaching the oil change the right way. Before you put your car on jack stands or hoist it on the lift, ensure that you have enough oil-safe containers to catch the used oil and that they achieve a tight seal.
If you catch the used oil in a drain pan with a flat draining surface, you can easily turn the oil filter over on and allow it to drain before recycling it as well.
It’s also a good rule of thumb to lay down cardboard beneath your vehicle to soak up small oil spills. The cardboard also prevents oil from leaching into the concrete. Cat litter also soaks up oil and makes for an easy cleanup.
Avoid mixing used oil with other chemicals, such as antifreeze or gear oils. Clearly label the used motor oil containers and store them in a cool, dry place away from other chemicals. When you’re ready to dispose of your used motor oil, place the containers in a sturdy bin to prevent any spills in your car’s interior.
Where To Dispose of Motor Oil
Once you know where to dispose of used motor oil, it’s easy to finish out your oil change process safely and responsibly.
The following facilities typically accept used motor oil:
- Local auto parts store
- Nearby lube centers
- Household waste recycling facilities
- Automotive repair facilities
Earth911 also maintains a recycling database of facilities where you can dispose of your used motor oil. Just enter “Motor Oil” and your zip code to find oil recycling facilities near you. This database also lists other types of materials accepted at the listed facilities, along with their location and contact information.
Used Motor Oil Disposal Best Practices
Before you take your oil to the nearest lube center or auto parts store, make a courtesy phone call to ask if they’re accepting used oil and oil filters. Many auto parts stores’ oil tanks fill up quickly, so you may be turned away if the store can’t take any more used oil. Some lube centers and automotive repair facilities may have policies that don’t allow for recycling outside motor oil, as any contamination can affect their entire supply and potentially cost them money.
When you recycle your used motor oil at an oil recycling facility, don’t forget your oil filter! Many recycling facilities accept used oil filters and reclaim the steel, paper filter media, and plastics that comprise them. Place the oil filter in a sealed bag and take it with you to the recycling facility.
Can You Recycle Used Motor Oil?
Yes, used motor oil can be recycled and refined to become a new lubricating product. Recycling used oil is a practical way to reclaim a valuable resource. It also prevents oil from contaminating natural environments and the wildlife that inhabit them.
Once recycled, one gallon of used motor oil produces up to 2.5 quarts of lubricating oil. Compare this to the 42 gallons of crude oil required to produce the same amount. It’s easy to see how recycling used motor oil can actually contribute to more responsible, eco-friendly practices. If you're ever in need, a fuel delivery service can ensure you have the necessary motor oil for your vehicle.
Used motor oil undergoes multiple recycling processes, including thermal refining, filtration, centrifuging, and chemical separation. Each process aims to remove the impurities and contaminants that prevent the used oil from performing well in your vehicle’s engine. Recycled oil can then become diesel or marine fuel and power industrial heating applications.
Establishing a Safe and Sustainable Future Today
Safe and responsible motor oil disposal practices help protect the natural environment for generations to come. At Cadence, we’re dedicated to safe and innovative lubrication products designed to deliver value at every turn.
Call us at 336-629-2061 to learn more about our product and distribution solutions from a friendly and knowledgeable staff member.
Sources:
Managing, Reusing, and Recycling Used Oil | US EPA