MEET Oscar
Oil

What’s the problem?

Oil Pollution

OIL DOES NOT WEAR OUT – IT JUST GETS DIRTY – DO YOUR PART TO RECYCLE IT RIGHT!

Used motor oil poured on the ground or into storm drains pollutes our soil and water. Cooking oil poured down the drain clogs pipes and creates sewer backups (adding soap only helps temporarily).

Used motor oil, used oil filters, and used cooking oil can safely be recycled and used again. Recycling saves valuable natural resources and protects the health of our community and the environment.

To correctly recycle used motor oil, filters, and cooking oil at the curbside, Oscar follows the curbside collection set out instructions. He places his used motor oil, filters, and cooking oil at the curbside at least 3 feet from other curbside carts and 6 feet from stationary objects by 6 a.m., every week on your collection day.*

(*For residents south of Calvine Road, starting July 1, 2024, used oil and filters will be picked up every week on your collection day.)

  • No motor Oil mixed with other vehicle fluids
  • No Cooking oil mixed with motor oil
  • no oil containers without a secured screw-top lid
  • No larger than 5 quart (=1.25 gallons) containers
  • NO More than three containers per collection
  • No Unbagged oil filters
learn more

What can I do?

Recycle your used motor oil, filters, and cooking oil in three ways!

  1. SacGreenTeam picks up customers’ used motor oil, filters, and cooking oil every week at the curbside on your collection day every week (*For residents south of Calvine Road, starting July 1, 2024, used oil and filters will be picked up every week on collection day.).
  2. Residents can also drop off used motor oil, filters, and cooking oil for free at a Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off Center
  3. CalRecycle provides an interactive map to find Used Oil Certified Collection Centers near you.
  • Use separate containers for used motor oil and cooking oil (do not mix motor and cooking oil together, and do not mix motor oil with other fluids, such as antifreeze or brake fluid).
  • Use rigid or semi-rigid plastic containers with screw-top lids (no pop-top lids) and securely tape screw-top lids closed. Use containers that are:
    • Clear/translucent one-gallon containers, such as sturdy screw-top milk/juice/water jugs, or reuse the original oil container (1 to 5 quart containers)
  • For oil filters:
    • Drain the filter of any oil
    • Put filter in a plastic zip-top bag
    • Place bag on the ground next to the used motor oil containers
  • On your weekly collection day (*For residents south of Calvine Road, starting July 1, 2024, used oil and filters will be picked up every week on collection day.), set container(s) and bagged filter at the curbside by 6:00 a.m., 3 feet away from carts and 6 feet from stationary objects.
  • Set out a maximum of three 5-quart containers of oil per collection day.
Download the app

faq

Wondering how to recycle something? We can help!

If you still have questions, email us at SacGreenTeam@SacCounty.gov and we’ll get back to you within three business days – or, go to www.SacGreenTeam.com to learn more.

Place used motor oil, used oil filters, and used cooking oil at the curb, 3 feet away from any cart and 6 feet from any stationary objects.

The max is three 5-quart containers per collection.

No. Cooking oil and motor oil should not be mixed and must be placed in separate containers.

Used oil and used oil filters are accepted from residents at local Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Drop-Off Centers for free. There is a maximum of 15 gallons per visit at HHW Drop-Off Centers and individual containers are limited to 5 gallons. Unincorporated area residents are provided used oil and filter recycling at no additional charge as part of regular weekly curbside collection service on the same day as Organics and Garbage collection (For residents south of Calvine Road, pickup is on Recycling collection day). 

resources

Explore the resources in this section to learn how to recycle and you can become a Binfluencer like Oscar Oil, too!

Adults

HHW Brochure
HHW Drop Off Centers
Used Oil Collection Centers

Kids

oil word search
OIl + Filter coloring sheet

Educators

CalRecycle resources

Download the app!

  • USE THE “HOW DO I GET RID OF…” FEATURE to find recycling and disposal options for household items
  • FIND YOUR SERVICE CALENDAR AND SIGN UP FOR  REMINDERS
  • SCHEDULE A BULKY WASTE PICKUP
  • REPORT MISSED SERVICE
  • FIND YOUR STREET SWEEPING CALENDAR
  • PLAY THE SORT SMART GAME

Contact us!

Have a question about recycling? We’ve got answers! Email us at sacgreenteam@saccounty.gov and we’ll get back to you within three business days.