Used Motor Oil Recycling

Last updated by Tony Hackett on December 5, 2024.

Major Program Goals

Oil is a non-renewable and dwindling global resource, one that most of us depend on every day. Under state law, used oil is classified as a hazardous waste and must either be recycled or disposed or properly.

Currently, more than half of the used oil collected in California is shipped out of state or offshore to be burned as fuel, resulting in toxic air pollution (such as phosphates, sulfur, and heavy metals including zinc, cadmium, copper, lead and benzene) and CO2 being released into the atmosphere.

California's strict air emissions standards do not allow the burning of used oil.

California generates more than 100 million gallons of waste oil each year, and currently only 10 percent of this used oil is recycled into lubricants. This closed loop recycling effort helps to prevent human health and environmental impacts. The production of lubricating oil from used motor oil requires one-third of the energy needed to refine crude oil.

Existing law also requires CalRecycle to pay a recycling incentive to entities that collect used oil and transport it to a used oil recycling facility. The board is also required to pay a recycling incentive to an electric utility for using used lubricating oils that meet specified requirements for electrical generation. Any entity that generates used oil or facility that accepts used oil is required to transport the used oil to a certified used oil facility or a registered out-of-state recycling facility.

How to Recycle Used Motor Oil

As the General Public:

• You can take your oil to a certified collection center.

• Many communities have curbside recycling programs that allow you to leave your oil at the curb (properly packaged).

• You can have your oil changed by a service station that recycles the oil for you.

As Certified Haulers:

• Take the oil from the collection centers or generators to a recycling facility.

As Businesses:

• Small quantities of used oil can be recycled using the same options as the general public. 

• Certified collection centers (CCC) may set a maximum daily intake limit of 5 gallons per day for businesses.

  • If you have large quantities of used oil, we recommend calling the CCC in advance.

• If you use or generate larger quantities of used oil, you may qualify to register as an industrial generator.

  • You will need to have your used oil picked up by a certified hauler.

Frequently Asked Questions