Used Motor Oil and Filters

Alternative ways to recycle
Illegal in Garbage & Drains
Hazardous Waste

It is illegal to pour used oil down any drain or to throw used oil and filters in the trash. Here are programs available to dispose of your used oil properly. Be sure to review the legal requirements for handling, transport and drop off here

 

FREE Drop-off at HHW Facility

Residents of El Cerrito, Hercules, Pinole, Richmond, San Pablo and El Sobrante may drop-off used oil and filters at the HHW Collection Facility.

 

FREE Curbside Collection Program Also Available

Republic Services Customers (Hercules, Pinole, El Sobrante, Richmond, San Pablo and unincorporated communities of Bayview, El Sobrante, Montalvin Manor, North Richmond, Tara Hills only)

  • Call Republic Services at 510-262-7100 to request a free Oil Recycling Kit (includes a special unbreakable plastic container with a secure screw-on top and leak-proof filter bag),
  • Drain used oil from the engine and the oil filter into the container. Place filters in the filter bag.
  • Call call Republic Services at (510) 262-7100 to schedule a pick-up.
  • Set out a full oil container & drained filter in plastic bag in view of or near the curb on your scheduled oil collection day.

El Cerrito Residents:

  • Call El Cerrito Recycling Center (510) 215-4350 for a free oil recycling kit.
  • Drain your oil into a drain pan. Transfer used oil from pan into a reusable container with a tight-fitting lid. Put your drained filter into a sealed plastic bag.
  • Call (510) 215-4350 to schedule an appointment to have your oil & filter picked up curbside.
  • Set out a maximum of 2 containers & 2 filters in view of or near the curb on your scheduled collection day.

 

FREE Certified Used Oil & Filter Drop-Off at Retail Locations

Note: We highly recommend calling ahead to confirm drop-off hours and availability. List updated May 1, 2023.

Richmond:

  • AutoZone
    1350 Macdonald Blvd
    Richmond, CA 94801
    (510) 233-8608
  • O’Reilly Auto Parts
    243 23rd St
    Richmond, CA 94801
    (510) 234-6364
  • O’Reilly Auto Parts
    12925 San Pablo Ave
    Richmond, CA 94805
    (510) 235-7373
  • AutoZone
    13102 San Pablo Ave
    Richmond, CA 94805
    (510) 236-6650
  • Oil Changers
    3144 Shane Dr
    Richmond, CA 94804
    (510) 758-7517
  • West Contra Costa HHW Facility
    101 Pittsburg Avenue
    Richmond, CA 94801
    (888) 412-9277

San Pablo:

  • Auto Zone
    14270 San Pablo Avenue
    San Pablo, CA 94806
    (510) 236-3100
  • Oil Changers #804
    2700 El Portal Drive
    San Pablo, CA 94806
    (510) 662-3090
  • O’Reilly Auto Parts
    14420 San Pablo Ave
    San Pablo, CA 94806
    (510) 232 6100
  • Speed Lube
    14639 San Pablo Ave
    San Pablo, CA 94806
    (510) 236-9617

Pinole:

  • O’Reily Auto Parts
    1442 Fitzgerald Dr
    Pinole, CA 94564
    (510) 758-5155
  • AutoZone
    1475 Fitzgerald Dr
    Pinole, CA 94564
    (510) 758-4200

El Cerrito:

  • El Cerrito Recycling & Environmental Resource Center
    7501 Schmidt Ln.
    El Cerrito, CA 94530
    (510) 215-4350
  • O’Reilly Auto Parts
    10680 San Pablo Ave
    El Cerrito, CA 94530
    (510) 524-3940
  • O’Reilly Auto Parts
    9989 San Pablo Ave
    El Cerrito, Ca 94530
    (510) 524-0267
  • Speed Oil Change Center
    10175 San Pablo Ave
    El Cerrito, CA 94530
    (510) 524-4203

 

Additional Resources:

Call 1-800-CLEANUP (800-253-2687) to find a certified used oil and filter recycling locations by using your zip code (from www.earth911.com‘s  Recycling Locator).

Visit CheckYourNumber.org to see oil change recommendations for your particular vehicle.

Motorcycle owners – check out RidersRecycle.com for helpful tips and resources on used oil recycling and more!

storm drain

Don't Dump in Trash or Down Drain

Used motor oil is a major contaminant of waterways, so never dump down the drain or in the trash. Filters also leak toxic materials into waterways, which are slow to break down in the environment.

NO-antifreeze

Never Mix with Other Chemicals

Service stations will not accept motor oil that has been contaminated with other products like antifreeze. Don’t mix your motor oil with anything else.

Alternative Ways to Recycle

Take to Service Stations

The best way to recycle used motor oil and filters is to take them to a service station or auto shop. Find one that’s certified.

Did You Know?

What Happens to Recycled Motor Oil

Used motor oil can be cleaned and recycled, which helps keep it out of waterways. Recycled oil is then used to make heating oil, asphalt and other petroleum-based products. It is usually not recycled and resold as motor oil.