How to dispose of used motor oil and car fluids
Used motor oil, oil filters and antifreeze should never go down a drain, onto the ground or in the trash. Used oil can be cleaned and used again, and dropping it off is usually free. Here is what counts, how to pack it, where to take it, and the rules in each state we cover.
- Used motor oil
- Recycle it. Take it in a sealed container to an auto parts store, oil-change shop or household hazardous waste site that accepts it.
- Oil filters
- Drain them, bag them and bring them with your oil.
- Antifreeze (coolant)
- Keep it separate from oil. Take it to a household hazardous waste site or a drop-off that lists it.
- Brake, transmission and power-steering fluid
- Rules vary. Ask before you mix any of them with oil; household hazardous waste sites take them.
- Gasoline
- Household hazardous waste sites only, in an approved fuel container.
- Never
- Pour any of these down a drain or on the ground, or mix them together.
What counts
Used motor oil means oil drained from any engine: cars, trucks, motorcycles, lawn mowers and boats, regular or synthetic. The EPA says the used oil from one oil change can contaminate a million gallons of fresh water. Cooking oil is not motor oil; many oil drop-offs will not take it.
| Fluid | Where it comes from | Where to take it |
|---|---|---|
| Used motor oil | Cars, trucks, motorcycles, lawn mowers, boats; regular or synthetic | Recycle it. Auto parts stores, oil-change shops, state collection centers or household hazardous waste sites. Usually free. |
| Used oil filters | Any oil change | Drain, bag and bring them with your oil. Many oil drop-offs take filters; some do not, so ask. |
| Antifreeze (coolant) | Radiator flushes and coolant changes | Keep it in its own container. Household hazardous waste sites; some auto shops and oil drop-offs take it too. |
| Transmission fluid and gear oil | Transmission, differential and gear changes | Many oil drop-offs take these with motor oil; New York and Maryland count them as used oil. Ask first. |
| Brake fluid and power-steering fluid | Brake and steering service | Keep separate. Household hazardous waste sites; many oil drop-offs do not take brake fluid. |
| Gasoline and other fuels | Old fuel from mowers, boats, cans | Household hazardous waste sites only, in an approved fuel container. Never mix it with oil. |
Based on EPA guidance on used oil and state programs. Your state or town may be stricter: see By state.
Before you go
- Pour used oil into a clean plastic container with a tight screw-on lid, such as an empty oil jug. Do not use containers that held bleach, chemicals, food or drinks.
- Do not mix fluids. Keep oil, antifreeze, brake fluid and gasoline in separate sealed containers, and keep water and dirt out of the oil. Mixed oil usually cannot be recycled, and sites can refuse it.
- Drain oil filters: let each one drain over your oil pan until oil stops flowing out, then put it in a sealed plastic bag.
- Label each container with what is in it. Keep antifreeze tightly capped and away from children and pets.
- Carry containers upright and wedged in place so they cannot tip over on the way.
- Call the drop-off first to check what it takes and any limit, often about 5 gallons a visit.
Where to take it
- Auto parts stores: many take used motor oil, and some take filters, free. In California, stores that are certified collection centers must take it; in New York, large oil sellers must take it or name a place that will. In the other states we cover it is voluntary, so call first.
- Oil-change shops and garages: in New York, shops that change oil and sell at least 500 gallons a year must take up to 5 gallons per person a day, free. Elsewhere some do so voluntarily; call first.
- Household hazardous waste programs: 252 programs we list in California, Delaware, Florida, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Texas accept motor oil, and 201 accept antifreeze. They are the best place for antifreeze, brake fluid, gasoline and mixed fluids. Each listing quotes what it takes.
- State collection programs: California certified collection centers, Florida public used oil collection centers, the Maryland Environmental Service used oil program and Delaware Solid Waste Authority drop-off centers. See California, Florida, Maryland and Delaware.
- Curbside pickup: some communities, especially in California, collect used oil and filters at the curb. Check with your city or hauler.
By state
| State | Must stores take used oil? | Used oil rules in brief |
|---|---|---|
| California | No, but certified centers take it free | Used oil, oil filters and antifreeze are hazardous waste and banned from the trash; over 3,000 certified centers take used oil free. 82 California programs we list take motor oil. |
| Delaware | None found | DSWA drop-off centers take clean used oil and oil filters from households; antifreeze, gasoline and mixed oil go to DSWA household hazardous waste collections. 5 Delaware programs we list take motor oil. |
| Florida | No (sign required) | Used oil is banned from landfills, drains and septic tanks; registered public collection centers take up to 5 gallons free. 64 Florida programs we list take motor oil. |
| Maryland | No (sign required) | Used oil is banned from the trash, drains and land; a free statewide program takes used oil, and antifreeze at some sites. 3 Maryland programs we list take motor oil. |
| New Jersey | No (sign required) | Households may hand used oil only to a collection center, a household hazardous waste collection or an authorized facility; stores that sell a lot of oil must post a sign. 8 New Jersey programs we list take motor oil. |
| New York | Yes | Many shops and big oil sellers must take up to 5 gallons of used oil per person a day, free. 7 New York programs we list take motor oil. |
| Pennsylvania | No (sign required) | Used oil may not go into sewers, water or onto land except at a collection site; stores that sell a lot of oil must post signs. 7 Pennsylvania programs we list take motor oil. |
| Texas | No (sign required) | Used motor oil from do-it-yourself oil changes and used oil filters are banned from city landfills; stores that sell a lot of oil must post a sign. 76 Texas programs we list take motor oil. |
| All other states | Varies | State used oil programs and local household hazardous waste programs (state pages coming) |
“Sign required” means stores that sell a lot of oil must post a sign about recycling it; it does not mean they must take it. Counts are household hazardous waste programs on this site whose official accepted-items list includes motor oil. Each state’s page has its full rules, where to take it and official sources.
What the sites we list say about motor oil
Quoted from each site’s official accepted-items list.
| Site | Motor oil and fluid rules (official wording) |
|---|---|
| Salinas Valley Recycles Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility Monterey County, CA | Accepted: antifreeze and other auto products Accepted: used motor oil and filters |
| Mariposa County Landfill (universal waste and collection events) Mariposa County, CA | Accepted: Uncontaminated motor oil (20 gallons per trip) Accepted: oil filters Accepted: antifreeze |
| Red Hill Annex (Red Hill Transfer Station, oil and antifreeze only) Calaveras County, CA | Accepted: Used motor oil, oil filters and antifreeze |
| DSWA Household Hazardous Waste Collection (Delaware Recycling Center) New Castle County, DE | Accepted: antifreeze Accepted: used motor oil mixed with other fuels |
| Jacksonville Household Hazardous Waste Facility Duval County, FL | Accepted: antifreeze, motor oil, used oil filters Limit: 27 gallons of paint and/or 27 gallons of motor oil per 30 days per Duval County resident |
| Pasco County household hazardous waste Collection Center - West Pasco (Hays Road) Pasco County, FL | Accepted: antifreeze (10 gal/day) Accepted: used motor oil (10 gal/day) |
| Brevard County household hazardous waste Collection Center - Central Disposal Facility Brevard County, FL | Accepted: Auto fluids (antifreeze, brake/power steering fluid, motor oil) Accepted: oil filters |
| Shady Grove Transfer Station Household Hazardous Waste Drop-off Montgomery County, MD | Accepted: antifreeze (up to 5 gallons) Accepted: brake fluid Accepted: motor oil |
| Baltimore County Central Acceptance Facility (Household Hazardous Waste) Baltimore County, MD | Accepted: motor oil Accepted: antifreeze Accepted: brake fluid |
| MCMUA Permanent Household Hazardous Waste Facility (Mt. Olive Transfer Station) Morris County, NJ | Accepted: automotive fluids (oil, antifreeze, brake, diesel, transmission and steering fluids) Accepted: used oil filters Limit: No more than 55 gallons of used motor oil or 100 lbs of asbestos per person |
| SCMUA Recycling Center and Resident’s Convenience Center (motor oil, antifreeze, batteries, propane) Sussex County, NJ | Accepted: Used motor oil (5-gallon limit) Accepted: antifreeze (5-gallon limit) Limit: Used motor oil and antifreeze up to 5 gallons each per person |
| DSNY Special Waste Drop-Off Site - Bronx (Hunts Point) Bronx County, NY | Accepted: motor oil and transmission fluid Accepted: motor oil filters Limit: Motor oil and transmission fluid up to 10 quarts Limit: up to 2 oil filters |
| DSNY Special Waste Drop-Off Site - Brooklyn (Greenpoint) Kings County, NY | Accepted: motor oil and transmission fluid Accepted: motor oil filters Limit: Motor oil and transmission fluid up to 10 quarts Limit: up to 2 oil filters |
| Niagara County Household Hazardous Waste Voucher Program (Hazman, Tonawanda) Niagara County, NY | Accepted: automotive fluids (antifreeze, brake, power steering and transmission fluids) Not accepted: motor oil |
| Pittsburgh Household Hazardous Waste and Electronics Drop-off (Noble Environmental, Lawrenceville) Allegheny County, PA | Accepted: motor oil Accepted: antifreeze |
| Westmoreland Cleanways Household Hazardous Waste Drop-off (Recycling Center) Westmoreland County, PA | Accepted: antifreeze and automotive fluids |
| Abilene household hazardous waste drop-off (2209 Oak Street) Taylor County, TX | Accepted: antifreeze, brake fluid and transmission fluid Accepted: DIY oil and oil filters |
| El Paso household hazardous waste drop-off (1034 Pendale Rd) El Paso County, TX | Accepted: motor oil Limit: Paint and motor oil max 5 gallons per month |
| Frisco household hazardous waste drop-off (6616 Walnut St) Collin County, TX | Accepted: antifreeze Accepted: motor oil and filters |
FAQ
Can I put used motor oil in the trash?
No. Used oil can be re-refined and used again, and it is banned from the trash or landfills in several states we cover, including California, Maryland, Florida and Texas (do-it-yourself oil at city landfills). New Jersey lets households hand used oil only to a collection center, a household hazardous waste collection or an authorized facility. Never pour it down a drain, into a storm drain or on the ground.
Is it free to drop off used oil?
Usually. California’s certified collection centers take it free and will pay the state recycling incentive if you ask. New York requires many shops to take up to 5 gallons per person a day free. Florida’s public used oil collection centers take up to 5 gallons free. Household hazardous waste programs are often free for residents; check each listing.
Can I mix used oil and antifreeze in one container?
No. Mixed oil usually cannot be recycled, and collection sites can refuse it. Pennsylvania law bans putting antifreeze or water into a used oil collection tank, and California, New Jersey, New York and Delaware programs ask for oil that is not mixed with anything. Keep each fluid in its own sealed, labeled container.
What do I do with an old oil filter?
Drain it over your oil pan until oil stops flowing out, put it in a sealed plastic bag, and take it with your used oil. Texas bans used oil filters from city landfills, and California treats them as hazardous waste unless you take them to a collection location or curbside program. Not every oil drop-off takes filters, so ask.
How do I get rid of antifreeze?
Take it to a household hazardous waste site or event that lists it; 201 programs we list do. Some oil drop-offs take it too, such as some Maryland Environmental Service sites. Keep it tightly capped and away from children and pets until you drop it off, and wipe up spills, because it tastes sweet and is poisonous.
How do I get rid of old gasoline?
Take it to a household hazardous waste site or event in an approved fuel container. Do not pour it out, put it in the trash, or mix it with used oil: oil drop-offs such as those in Maryland and Delaware do not take gasoline or oil mixed with it.
Can I bring brake fluid or transmission fluid with my oil?
Ask first. New York and Maryland count transmission fluid and gear oil as used oil, and many oil drop-offs take them. Brake fluid is different: Maryland’s statewide oil program does not take it. A household hazardous waste site is the safest choice for brake fluid.
How much used oil can I bring?
Limits vary. Common limits are around 5 gallons per visit: New York shops must take up to 5 gallons per person a day, California centers must take at least 5, and Florida’s public collection centers take up to 5. Household hazardous waste sites set their own limits; check the listing.