What Is Used Oil? Any oil that has been refined from crude oil and has been used is "used oil." The term "used oil" also applies to any oil that is no longer useful to the original purchaser as a consequence of extended storage, spillage or contamination with non-hazardous impurities such as dirt and water. In California, used oil is a hazardous waste. The hazards associated with used oil result from the various additives used in its manufacture and from the heavy metal contaminants picked up from use in the internal combustion engine. What are the Hazards? Oil poured down household drains, or directly onto the ground, can work its way into the waters of the state. Illegally disposed of oil can pollute the groundwater with contaminants such as lead, magnesium, copper, zinc, chromium, arsemc, chlorides, cadmium and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). One quart of oil can pollute 250,000 gallons of drinking water. Crankcase oil drainings have been reported to account for more than 40 percent of the total oil pollution of our nation's harbors and waterways. What is the Law? Since its implementation on January 1, 1987, California's Management of Used Oil Act (SB 86) has prohibited the disposal of used oil by discharge to sewers, drainage systems, surface or groundwaters, water courses or marine waters, by domestic incineration or burning as a fuel, or by deposit on land,unless otherwise authorized by law . Can Used Oil be Recycled? Used oil is recyclable. Two and one half quarts of lubricating oil is gained by re-refining one gallon of used oil. Unfortunately, not enough recycling is occurring. In 1990, 290 million gallons (mgal) of oil were sold in California, of which 165 mgal became potentially available for collection. Only 113 mgal were collected, and of this amount only 77.5 mgal were recycled, just 47 percent of the used oil that was available.

What is California Doing? Although there is already an extensive motor oil recycling program in place in California, the California Integrated Waste Management Board is trying to provide more opportunities for recycling used oil. As a result, many service stations now accept used motor oil from the public for a nominal charge, provided the oil has no water or materials added to it. A number of California cities have regular curbside pickup of used oil; several others have dropoff facilities. A number of communities holding household hazardous waste collection events have publicized the local waste oil recycling programs. Hazardous waste haulers have provided communities without used oil recycling programs with waste oil tanks for oil collection at collection events. Crankcase oil drainings have been reported to account for more than 40 percent of the total oil pollution of our nation's harbors and waterways How Do I Properly Dispose of Used 0il? You can participate in oil recycling by following these tips: Drain the used oil into a clean container with a tight fitting cap. A one gallon plastic milk jug works well. Do not mix the recovered oil with any other liquid, and make sure the oil is free from dirt, leaves and other debris. Take the oil to a used oil collection site. For More Information Call your local Public Works Department at 1-800-449-4840 or the California Integrated Waste Management Board's Recycling Hotline at 1-800-553-2962 to find the location of a household hazardous waste collection program in your area.