Used Motor Oil and Filter Recycling

How Do I Recycle Used Motor Oil, Filters, and Other Auto Fluids? 
Single-Family residents may place one-gallon screw-top containers curbside beside their collection carts on their regular collection day.  Recycle up to three (3) gallons per week of used motor oil, transmission fluid, gear lube and other lubricants commonly used in cars and light trucks.  Oil filters can be put in a heavyweight sealed clear plastic bag and placed curbside.  Please contact ACI at (510) 483-1400 to request the delivery of a Used Oil Recycling Kit.

Multi-family residents, please see below for a list of Certified Collection Centers that accept used motor oil and filter drop-offs.

Motor Oil Collection Instructions

  • Oil must be in a secure, screw-top gallon containers provided by ACI. Please do not use any other containers for used motor oil recycling. Please contact ACI at 510-483-1400 to request a Used Oil Recycling Kit.
  • Oil filters must be placed in a zipper-lock style bag. Please contact ACI at 510-483-1400 to request oil filter bags which are included in the Used Oil Recycling Kit.
  • Place containers/bags on the curb (not in the gutter) next to your Blue Recycling Cart for collection. Do not place containers/bags on top of the cart.
  • Crankcase fluid, differential fluid, hydraulic fluid, lubricant oil, motor oil, and transmission fluid are all accepted and can be combined in the containers. Anti-freeze and brake fluid are not accepted curbside.
  • Residents can pick up screw-top gallon containers and zipper-lock style bags at the CVSan office at 21040 Marshall Street at no additional charge.
CVSan's Used Motor Oil Filter Exchange Program
  • Do you change your own oil in your car, truck, RV, motorcycle, or boat?
  • Do you live in a single-family home?
  • Are you a CVSan resident?
If you answered “yes” to all the above questions, you are eligible to participate in CVSan’s Used Motor Oil Filter Exchange Program to receive a coupon for a new motor oil filter!
oil 1oil 2

When does the program begin?
The next Used Motor Oil Filter Exchange Program is scheduled to run from Monday, October 12, 2020 to Friday, November 20, 2020.
CVSan reserves the right to alter or cancel the program at any time for any reason.

How do I participate in the program?
During the six-week program, contact Alameda County Industries 24 hours prior to set out of the used oil filter (motor oil optional) on your collection day.  The following week, you will receive a coupon in the mail for a new motor oil filter.  Contact ACI’s Customer Service Department:

By phone: Monday – Friday, 7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. at (510) 483-1400
By email: info@alamedacountyindustries.com

A used oil filter (motor oil optional) must be set out for recycling at the curb during the 6-week program in order to receive a coupon for a new filter. Filters must be set out by 6:00 a.m. on your collection day.

If your service day is Monday, you can leave a voicemail or email during the weekend stating that you will be setting out a used oil filter on Monday and provide your name, address, and phone number.

If you plan to participate multiple times during the program, let ACI know during your first call or email. Simply state that you will be participating in the Filter Exchange Program and provide each date that you plan to participate. Once you complete these steps, you will not need to call/email ACI each week.

One coupon per household per week of collection (up to six coupons per program). You can set out more than one filter at a time but are only eligible to receive up to one coupon each week.

How do I use the coupon?
Coupons are redeemable only at O’Reilly Auto Parts Castro Valley (2990 Castro Valley Blvd.). The coupon may be redeemed for one (1) filter with a maximum value of $15 (including tax). If the cost of the filter and tax is less than $15, the balance is neither transferable nor redeemable for cash and is forfeited. Maximum one (1) coupon per household per week of collection. Coupons are valid for a limited time only and expire on Saturday, November 28, 2020.

New Filter Design Information (2016)
(From the Department of Toxic Substances Control: https://dtsc.ca.gov/)

In the past, most canister type oil filters were designed so that gravity alone was effective at draining free-flowing oil contained within it.  To meet vehicle manufacturer and vehicle warranty specifications, oil filters in use today are equipped with an anti-drain-back valve device located just inside the filter inlet openings; this valve keeps oil in the filters when the engine is turned off.  Most auto manufacturers require anti-drain-back valves and most filter manufacturers now produce oil filters with anti-drain-back protection that will last for at least 12 hours.  This valve ensures the filter is always full of oil when the engine is started.

Anti-drain-back valves have been found to prevent oil from fully draining from filters using traditional gravity draining techniques.  After draining your used oil filter, be sure to place the filter in a heavy-duty plastic bag for curbside recycling or for transport to a Certified Collection Center (CCC) or Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) facility.

Certified Collection Centers in Castro Valley and San Lorenzo

It’s easy to recycle your used motor oil and filters at Certified Collection Centers (CCCs)!  Depending on the CCC, many will take up to five (5) gallons of oil per person per visit.  Upon request, and at the retailers’ discretion, CCCs have two options of reimbursement to the customer: CCCs will reimburse you $0.40 per gallon or provide you with an $0.80 coupon good for any item in the store.  And remember, don’t forget the filter!  Filters can hold up to one quart of motor oil.
Jiffy Lube 2492 Castro Valley Blvd. (510) 582-7677
Kevin L. Hinkley Auto Tech 5269 Crow Canyon Rd. (510) 881-1052
O'Reilly Auto Parts 2990 Castro Valley Blvd. (510) 881-0761
Certified Tire and Service Center 3430 Castro Valley Blvd. (510) 886-9500
Boulevard Auto 3940 Castro Valley Blvd. (510) 247-9700
 
Household Hazardous Waste Facilities
Facilities are located in Hayward, Oakland, Livermore, and Fremont.  Hours rotate so call (800) 606-6606 or visit household-hazwaste.org for additional information.
Hayward Facility 2091 West Winton Ave., Hayward (510) 670-6460
Oakland Facility 2100 East 7th St., Oakland (800) 606-6606
Livermore Facility 5584 La Ribera St., Livermore (800) 606-6606
Fremont Facility 41149 Boyce Rd., Fremont (510) 252-0500

Free Used Oil Recycling Kits available at CVSan!

CVSan residents are required to set out used motor oil in screw-top gallon containers provided by ACI. Residents can pick up a Used Oil Recycling Kit (up to three 1-gallon containers) at CVSan, 21040 Marshall Street, or call ACI at (510) 483-1400 to request delivery of a used oil recycling kit. Other resources available at CVSan offices include:

  • Funnels
  • Pour Spouts
  • Cloth shop rags
  • “Finish the Job Right” instructional DVD
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