Motor Oil

It's the stuff that keeps our engines running smooth. Because it gets dirty though — picking up heavy metals and other gunk along the way — motor oil needs to be routinely replaced. If you change your own oil, make sure to store it properly and bring it to a collection center in your neighborhood (check the list below).

What type of container should I use?

The best way to store and transport your oil is to use a container specifically designed for the job. Oil collection containers, or "drainer" containers, are made from durable plastic (often using post-consumer recycled content!) and have secure, tight-fitting lids. Many of the collection sites listed below provide free containers for the public. Contact our staff to find out where you can get one.

Is it okay if the oil is mixed with other automotive fluids?

No! You should never mix your motor oil with any fluids. Even water will cause the oil to be non-recyclable. If you goofed up and accidentally combined your oil with something else, you'll need to take it to a hazardous waste collection facility. Make sure to tell the staff what's in the mix.

What about oil filters?

Don't forget your filters! They can also be recycled at a local collection center. Check out our Motor Oil Filters page for more info.

Can I recycle my empty oil bottles?

Yes! As long as you've kept the bottles turned upside down for a while to drain any remaining oil from the containers, you can put them in your recycling bin.

Where to go

• All of Santa Barbara County (1)

  • Safety Kleen — 5310 Overpass Road

• Carpinteria Area (3)

  • City of Carpinteria ABOP Center — 5775 Carpinteria Ave
  • City of Carpinteria Used Oil Self-Service Recycling Center — 5775 Carpinteria Avenue
  • Risdon’s 76 Service — 4401 North Via Real

• Santa Barbara Area (12)

  • *Community Hazardous Waste Collection Center — University of California, Environmental Health and Safety Building, Building 565, Mesa Road
  • Auto Zone — 305 N Milpas St
  • Fast Lane Oil Change — 4299 State Street
  • Firestone Complete Auto Care — 3948 State Street
  • Jiffy Lube — 932 DeLaVina Street
  • MarBorg Industries’ Recycling /ABOP Center — 132 Nopalitos Way
  • Munoz’s Auto Repair — 401-B Old Coast Highway
  • O’Reilly Auto Parts — 55 La Cumbre Road
  • O’Reilly Auto Parts — 436 North Milpas Street
  • Perry Ford Mazda — 440 Hitchcock Way
  • Santa Barbara Auto Group — 402 South Hope Avenue
  • Union Marine Station — 125 Harbor Way, #12

• Goleta & UCSB Area (9)

  • *Community Hazardous Waste Collection Center — University of California, Environmental Health and Safety Building, Building 565, Mesa Road
  • Auto Zone — 5799 Hollister Ave
  • Fast Lane Oil Change — 180 North Fairview Avenue
  • Jiffy Lube — 6015 Hollister Avenue
  • Mahneke Motors — 5737 Thornwood Drive
  • MarBorg Industries Recycling/ABOP Center — 20 David Love Place
  • O’Reilly Auto Parts — 5754 Hollister Avenue
  • Santa Barbara Honda — 475 Kellogg Avenue
  • Toyota of Santa Barbara — 5611 Hollister Avenue

• Santa Ynez Valley (5)

  • *Santa Ynez Valley Recycling and Transfer Station — 4004 Foxen Canyon Road
  • Jim Vreeland Ford — 340 East Highway 246
  • MarBorg Industries Recycling/ABOP Center – Buellton — 97 Commerce Drive
  • O’Reilly Auto Parts — 270 East Highway 246
  • Rio Vista Chevrolet — 390 East Highway 246

• Lompoc Valley & VAFB (4)

  • Auto Zone — 538 North H Street
  • City of Lompoc Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility — 1585 N. "V" St
  • City of Lompoc Landfill (Scalehouse) — Avalon Rd (south end)
  • O’Reilly Auto Parts — 511 West Central Avenue

• Santa Maria Valley (15)

  • Auto Zone — 1793 N Broadway
  • Auto Zone — 2020 S Broadway
  • Black Road Auto — 1500 South Black Road
  • Brumit Diesel — 1631 North Carlotti Dr
  • Bush’s Automotive — 211 W Betteravia Rd
  • City of Santa Maria Household Hazardous Waste Facility — 2065 East Main Street
  • Jiffy Lube — 1860 South Broadway
  • MarBorg Industries Recycling/ABOP Center — 1850 West Betteravia Road
  • O’Reilly Auto Parts — 2053A South Broadway
  • O’Reilly Auto Parts — 1790 North Broadway
  • O’Reilly Auto Parts — 4854 South Bradley Road, Suite B
  • Pep Boys — 1723 South Broadway
  • Rizzoli’s Automotive — 1149 West Tama Lane
  • Santa Maria Car Wash — 617 South Broadway
  • Santa Maria Wash & Lube — 2301 South Broadway

• Outside Santa Barbara County (6)

  • Asbury Environmental Services — 2100 North Alameda Street
  • C.J. Seto Support Services, LLC — 2300 Knoll Dr, Unit G
  • Clean Harbors, Inc. — 880 W Verdulera St
  • Earth911.com – Information Only — 3481 Plano Parkway
  • Industrial Waste Utilization — 5601 State Street
  • Stericycle, Incorporated —