How To Properly Dispose of Motor Oil

Any DIYer worth their salt accumulates old oil. Cars, lawn mowers, recreational vehicles and hydraulic systems all produce dirty, used petroleum-based lubricants that must be carefully captured and transported to an approved collection facility.

That might sound like a hassle, but “getting rid of old oil is easier than most people think,” says Duane “Doc” Watson, a technical trainer at Bosch Mobility Aftermarket. “Most auto parts stores and service centers will take it for free as long as it’s in a sealed container.”

Thus, a major key to making it easier comes in the planning stages, by making sure you have the right transport containers readily available. Here’s more advice on how to properly dispose of your used motor oil.

Why You Must Recycle

Small quantities of motor oil can do quite a bit of damage to the environment. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the used oil from one oil change can contaminate one million gallons of water. The EPA also notes that used oil can contain toxic chemicals and heavy metals that may affect the health of people and wildlife.

Recycled oil actually goes through a re-refining process that makes it suitable for use in vehicles again. In fact, EPA lab testing shows recycled oil can outperform virgin oil in some situations. Reclaiming oil in this way not only keeps the spent oil out of the environment but significantly reduces the need for new oil. Although it takes 42 gallons of crude oil to produce 2-1/2 quarts of refined virgin motor oil, re-refining creates that same amount of engine-ready product from only one gallon of used oil. Furthermore, re-refining uses far less energy to process.

How To Dispose of Oil

This is the proper process for disposing of old motor oil:

• Put down a tarp or absorbent paper layer when changing oil to capture any spills.
• Change the oil and filter in the vehicle, equipment or tool you are servicing.
• Do your best to avoid contaminating the oil with any other liquids or substances.
• Puncture the dome of the old oil filter and drain the excess oil from it into your oil pan.
• Seal the filter in a plastic bag and recycle with the used oil; it will still contain several ounces of oil.
• Prepare oil for transport using a sealable oil pan, or pour it into a polyethylene container that has not held other liquids. (Empty oil bottles from filling the engine work best.)
• Transport the containers to a facility that collects used oil.

Where To Bring Used Oil

Counties and municipalities often operate hazardous-waste collection sites where you can bring your used oil for recycling. In addition, where local regulations permit, most auto parts stores — including Advance, Auto Zone, Napa and O’Reilly — collect used oil. These collection sites are the only legal places to dispose of used motor oil.

FAQ

What should I do if I accidentally spill motor oil?

Clean up the spill using absorbent materials like kitty litter, baking soda, sand or paper towels. Then, put everything in a sealed bag or container and take it to a recycling center or auto shop that accepts used oils. Avoid washing it down the drain, and if it’s a large spill, you might need to call a cleanup service to handle it properly, says Watson.

“If you accidentally spill motor oil, act quickly,” says Xavier Sabastian, an auto expert with Way.com. “Avoid washing it down the drain and dispose of it according to local hazardous waste guidelines.”

What happens to motor oil after it’s recycled?

Recycled motor oil is commonly used for manufacturing and industrial purposes, such as industrial burners, to help release products like pressed metal from their molds, as additives in products, as heating oil and sometimes even as new engine oil.

“It is filtered, heated, and treated to remove the bad stuff out of it,” says Chris “Moose” Pyle, and automotive expert with JustAnswer. “The process of recycling, though, is can be just as involved and costly as getting crude oil from the ground and turning it into useful products.” But, recycling it is still vital to keep it out of the environment.

About the Experts

• Duane “Doc” Watson is a technical trainer at Bosch Mobility Aftermarket. He has more than 45 years of experience in automotive repair, has trained thousands of technicians and earned many industry awards, including Chevrolet Technician of the Year and Buick Service Master of the Year.
• Chris “Moose” Pyle is a master-certified technician with 20-plus years of automotive experience. He has also worked as an expert for JustAnswer, the expert on-demand platform, since 2006.
• Xavier Sabastian is an author and auto expert with the Way.com auto app.