Solid Waste

Household Hazardous Waste

Recycling Used Motor Oil and Filters

Thousands of Sacramento area residents change their own motor oil on a regular basis. But, many encounter the dilemma of how to conveniently and safely dispose of the used oil drained from cars. For residents of the City of Sacramento, recycling used motor oil and filters is easy. There are three ways to recycle:

recycle used oil logo1. Certified Centers (auto parts stores, quick lubes, and gas stations):
Anywhere the logo to the right is displayed accepts used oil and filters for recycling. Certified centers pay $0.16 per gallon for used motor oil. Call 1-800-CLEANUP for the nearest certified center location. Click here for more information on Certified Centers.

2. Visit a Household Hazardous Waste Facility:
There are two convenient locations to recycled used motor oil and filters.

North Area
4450 Roseville Road
South Area
8491 Fruitridge Road
Noth Area disposal location South Area disposal location

North Area: Sacramento County North Area Recovery Station, located at 4450 Roseville Road. Hours: The facility is open Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays, 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM. Call (916) 875-5555 for more information or visit Sac Green Team at the link below.
http://www.sacgreenteam.com/hazardous/residents.htm

South Area: Sacramento Recycling and Transfer Station, located at 8491 Fruitridge Road. Hours: Residents can drop off antifreeze, lead acid batteries, motor oil and filters, latex paint Tuesday - Saturday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM. Call 379-0500 for more information.

3. Curbside Recycling: Call before you Curb it!
City of Sacramento residents with curbside recycling service can conveniently recycle used motor oil at the curb. This is an appointment only service. Appointments coincide with the regular recycling collection day. Simply follow these steps:

  • Call the used oil recycling hotline at 808-4800 to SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT for recycling collection. Collection can be scheduled up to 24 hours before the next regularly scheduled recycling day.
  • Place used oil in a clear ONE-GALLON plastic jug like a milk or water jug.
  • Secure the cap with tape.
  • Place the jug at the curb on your regular recycling pick-up day.
  • Place DRAINED oil filter in a leak-proof bag with the holes up. Seal the bag by twisting it, zipping it or tying it in a knot.
  • Place the sealed bag next to the used motor oil the scheduled appointment collection day.

    NOTE: NEVER contaminate used oil by mixing with other auto fluids.

Remember: Someone is downstream.

Improper Disposal of Used Motor Oil Can Be a Disaster! Approximately 45 million gallons of used oil are improperly disposed of each year in California, resulting in substantial damage to the environment. Oil dumped in local sewage and storm drain systems rapidly finds its way to Sacramento area rivers. Used oil dumped on the ground eventually works its way into the water supply. One gallon of used oil can contaminate one million gallons of drinking water.