Used Motor Oil and Oil Filter Recycling

"Zero Waste - You Make it Happen!"

Do you need to dispose of a car’s motor oil and filter? Are you a Do-It-Yourselfer oil changer or know of someone who is? Take the Used Oil Survey so we can better serve you.

Did you know that one gallon of motor oil can pollute one million gallons of drinking water, a one-year supply for 50 people? In fact, used motor oil accounts for 40% of oil pollution in America's waterways. But did you know that used motor oil never wears out? It just gets dirty and can be recycled, cleaned, and used again. Therefore, do not pour motor oil onto the ground or into storm drains, or toss it into trash cans (even in a sealed container) it can contaminate and pollute the soil, groundwater, streams, and rivers (and it's illegal!). Recycling your used motor oil reduces this pollution threat. When you take your used oil to a San Mateo County Used Oil Certified Collection Center for recycling, you are protecting the environment and conserving a valuable resource.

Mateo County Environmental Health Services and the California Integrated Waste Management Board have established over 66 used oil collection centers around the County. The County-sponsored facilities will accept used oil and filters (or other automobile waste such as antifreeze and car batteries at certain facilities) without charge see our list of used oil collection centers.

It's easy to recycle used motor oil and filters. Just follow these steps to ensure your used oil is taking the correct path for recycling.

• Collect your used oil in a clean non-breakable container that has a screw-on cap.

• Don't mix other substances with your used oil such as: paint, gasoline, solvents, water or antifreeze.Your used oil must be free of contaminants in order to be recycled.

• Place your used oil filter in a sealed plastic bag.

• Drop off your used motor oil and oil filters during business hours at a Collection Center. DO NOT leave used oil outside the Collection Centers when no one is in attendance or after business hours.

To find the collection center nearest you call 1-800-CLEANUP or see our list of certified used oil collection centers.

Contaminated Oil
Used Oil Collection Centers will Not accept contaminated oil (oil with traces of anti-freeze, paint, water or other substances). To receive information on recycling contaminated oil, used antifreeze, paint and other household hazardous materials, call 650-363-4718 or visit San Mateo County Household Hazardous Waste Program.

How to Become a Used Oil Collection Center
If you own or operate an automotive parts retail shop, service or repair shop, gas station, or auto dealership and are interested in becoming a certified collection center please visit the web site for the California Integrated Waste Management Board or contact San Mateo County at 650-372-6214.