Where to dispose of car oil

Many people pay someone to change their oil, but did you know that about one in four of us still roll up our sleeves and do our car's oil changes ourselves? Changing your own oil can be a real-time and money saver—especially in the long run. But once the job’s done, there’s one important question: what do you do with the used oil? The answer should always be: recycle it. Here's how.

Where to recycle used motor oil

Used oil and antifreeze don’t belong in the trash—they need to be disposed of properly to avoid causing serious harm to the environment. Here's where you can bring it to be properly disposed of:

An auto parts store or auto shop

Do you know many places that sell or change motor oil and will take your used oil for recycling—for free? For instance, most AutoZone locations accept used motor oil, and a lot of Jiffy Lube stores are official oil recycling collection centers. Just give your local shops a quick call to confirm they’ll take it.

One thing to keep in mind: don’t mix your used motor oil with antifreeze or any other liquids. Many recycling centers won’t accept oil that’s been contaminated, so it’s best to keep them separate from the start.

Curbside recycling or a municipal recycling facility

Depending on where you live, you might be able to recycle your used motor oil through your city’s curbside recycling program. If that’s an option, make sure to check the rules carefully—there are usually specific packaging requirements you’ll need to follow.

If curbside collection isn’t available where you are, no worries. You can just take your used oil to a local participating recycling center or hazardous waste drop-off depot yourself. You can look online or call your local municipality to find out your drop-off options.

And don’t forget about the oil filter and oil containers! Most recycling centers will accept those, too. Empty oil containers aren’t as harmless as they look—they still contain residual oil that can contaminate groundwater if not handled correctly. As for oil filters, because they can leak harmful oil into the soil and water, many provincial and local governments won’t even allow them in landfills anymore.

How to recycle used motor oil

Here are the steps to help you recycle your used motor oil:

1. Catch every drop

Make sure you capture all the oil during your oil change. Lay down a tarp or plastic sheet under your work area to keep things tidy. Place a proper drip pan with a spout (for easy pouring later) under your engine to catch the oil as it drains.

2. Don’t forget the oil filter

Oil filters have oil trapped inside, too, so they need attention. Punch a small hole in the dome of the filter and let it drain completely into your drip pan. Once it’s empty, seal the filter in a plastic bag—it can be recycled just like the oil.

3. Use the right container

You’ll likely need to move the oil from your drip pan to another container for storage or transport. Be picky about what you use! Avoid using any container that wasn’t designed to hold oil. If you still have the original oil container, that’s perfect. Otherwise, use something made of durable polyethylene plastic. Some drip pans even double as sealed storage containers, which makes things super convenient.

Once your oil is contained, keep it somewhere cool, dry, and out of the way until you can put it to the curb or take it to a recycling center or a nearby auto shop.

Remember, as we mentioned earlier, make sure your oil hasn’t been mixed with any other liquids like gasoline, washer fluid, antifreeze, or water. Mixed oil isn’t recyclable, and even a little contamination can ruin the batch.

What else should I recycle?

Don’t stop at motor oil—any fluid used for lubrication in machinery or equipment should be recycled, too. This includes things like:

• Antifreeze
• Hydraulic fluid
• Transmission fluid
• Petroleum or synthetic crankcase oil
• Gear oil
• Heat transfer fluid
• Brake fluid

You should also recycle the empty oil, fluid, and antifreeze containers to prevent residual oil/fluid/antifreeze from contaminating groundwater or soil.

Why you should recycle your used motor oil

If you’re already changing your own oil (or thinking about it), you’ve probably heard someone say how important it is to recycle your used oil. But is it really that big of a deal? What’s the worst that could happen if you just toss it in the trash or pour it down the drain? After all, how much harm could one person’s oil really do?

Actually, the oil from just one oil change can make a huge impact—for better or worse. Here’s why:

• Oil clings to pretty much everything it touches, including water. If you pour it into a gutter, down a storm drain, or anywhere else it doesn’t belong, it can contaminate lakes, rivers, oceans, and other waterways. That means serious harm to the plants and animals living there.
• According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the amount of oil from just one single oil change is enough to affect up to a million gallons of water. Now, think about how often you change your oil.
• On top of the environmental damage, improper disposal is actually illegal. Getting caught could lead to hefty fines, possible jail time, or being held responsible for cleanup costs—which can really add up.

Learn more with BrokerLink

Regular oil changes are key to keeping your car running smoothly, but having the right car insurance is just as important. While some coverage, like third-party liability and accident benefits, is mandatory, optional coverages—such as collision and comprehensive —can make a big difference if you ever need to file a claim.

That’s where BrokerLink comes in. We’re here to help you find the coverage that fits your needs. Our team works to get you personalized quotes and accurate car insurance estimates. Want to learn more? Reach out to your local BrokerLink advisor by phone, email, or by stopping by one of our locations across Canada. And don’t forget to try our free online quote tool—it only takes a few minutes to get a competitive quote!

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