Used Oil & Oil Filters
How to Manage
Used oils such as engine lubrication oil, hydraulic fluids, and gear oils that are used in cars, bikes, or lawnmowers can pollute the environment if they are not recycled or disposed of properly.
• Used motor oil is insoluble, persistent, and can contain toxic chemicals and heavy metals.
• It’s slow to degrade.
• It sticks to everything from beach sand to bird feathers.
• It’s a major source of oil contamination of waterways and can result in pollution of drinking water sources.
It is important to take used oil and used oil filters to one of the many certified used oil collection centers.
How it Works
Used oil can be re-refined into lubricants, processed into fuel oils, and used as raw materials for the refining and petrochemical industries. Additionally, used oil filters contain reusable scrap metal, which steel producers can reuse as scrap feed.
• Recycling used oil keeps it from polluting soil and water.
• Motor oil does not wear out—it just gets dirty—so recycling it saves a valuable resource.
• Less energy is required to produce a gallon of re-refined base stock than a base stock from crude oil.
• One gallon of used motor oil provides the same 2.5 quarts of lubricating oil as 42 gallons of crude oil.
How We Help
In cooperation with OC Environmental Health, the City of Rancho Santa Margarita provides used oil containers to residents free of charge. These 15-quart drainer containers can help residents properly change and store their oil for disposal. Check availability for pickup at City Hall - 22112 El Paseo, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688-2824. To obtain a free used oil container please reach out to our Environmental Programs Coordinator at (949) 635-1800 ext. 6503. Only residents who have confirmed availability, please.
Once properly contained, the used oil can be brought to the below locations:
Used Oil Recycling Locations
| Collection Center Name | Location | Number |
|---|---|---|
| O'Reilly Auto Parts* | 30505 B Ave De Las Flores, RSM | (949) 267-0164 |
| Rancho Santa Margarita Honda | 29964 Santa Margarita Pkwy, RSM | (949) 713-2000 |
| Toyota Rancho Santa Margarita | 22722 Avenida Empresa, RSM | (949) 766-2000 |
| Santa Margarita Ford | 30031 Santa Margarita Pkwy, RSM | (949) 888-4347 |
| Santa Margarita Ford Fleet Center | 29922 Avenida De Las Bandera, RSM | (949) 888-4347 |
| Jiffy Lube | 23041 Antonia Parkway, RSM | (949) 589-6400 |
| Econo Lube N' Tube | 21562 Plano Trabuco Rd, RSM | (949) 459-8494 |
*Living Green - Free battery and oil recycling (motor oil, transmission fluid, gear oil and oil filters)
Find a Certified Used Oil Recycling Center Near You: Click Here.
Bring a new oil filter and receive a new oil filter FREE. Check for Orange County free oil filter exchange events: Click Here.
Check Earth911 for regular updates on special recycling centers.
Pollution Prevention
- Treat oil spills with a dry absorbent, such as sawdust or kitty litter. DO NOT rinse away with a hose.
- If your car is leaking oil place a piece of cardboard, or other absorbent material, underneath the leak. Dispose of oil-soaked materials at the local Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center.