Used Oil Storage/Disposal

[wharvey]

Hey folks,

Do you have any recommendations on used oil storage and disposal? I have a 20 gallon receptacle with the extendable funnel, but it is getting full. I'd like to pump the oil to a large storage container so that receycling company can come pick it up in volume. Any recommendations on containers, etc?

 

[sharpshooter]

Do you have a heater in the garage? If not then there ya go.

 

[Nova72]

autozone will take it a few gallons at a time. they will usually ask for a phone number, you can make up just about anything. or set up one for a place that wouldnt use it, such as your place of employment.

 

[66HertzClone]

Given the price I'm getting paid for waste oil at my shops, I'll take all you can give me, I am currently getting $1.17 a gallon for waste oil picked up. The best part is they pump the tank empty, compute what they owe me, then hand over a credit card so I get paid on the spot. This amounts to over $1000 per week at one shop.

Call your local quick lubes, most will accept it without giving you a hard time. Please be sure never to allow brake fluid or an chlorinated compounds to contaminate the waste oil. Ours is tested with a sniffer prior to pickup, any hint of contamination requires further testing. If these compounds are present, the oil is considered a hazardous substance and disposal costs to me are extreme. That's the reason some shops are reluctant to accept oil from outside. Any outside oil we accept is stored in a separate tank from the oil we collect on site, we require customers name and record the plate number of the vehicle they are driving.

 

[wharvey]

Thanks for all of the replies. That's good to know about the brake fluid. I did not know that! Advance Auto in my area does take waste oil but I would have to make several trips to get rid of it.

I'm also interesst in the kinds of containers you use to store it. I'm looking for something affordable. Should I just go for a 55 gallon barrel or is there something more appropriate?

 

[66HertzClone]

Think of how you are going to move the container. A 55 gallon drum even half full oil oil will be very heavy. It might be best to get a few 5 gallon pails with the screw off caps on the lid, light enough to pickup and carry and light enough to hold and tip into the end collectors container. The 5 gallon pails stack so even if you have a few it won't get out of hand.

 

[Frank Elson]

Here in the UK we can take our used oil to a collection point at the local dump. It is then recycled.
I endorse the last poster. The first time I took a 25 gallon (UK) container I'd nearly filled up. It almost put my lights out getting it into my trailer. Nowadays I take a handful of 1 gallon containers...

 

[Killer95Stang]

Check with your local waste management company. I just call 24 hours in advance to my Waste collector and they will pick it up on the next trash day for free... 5 gallons at a time. I usually throw in a sixth gallon and never get hassled

 

[ImportTuner]

I use the 5 gallon plastic gas container to store my used oil; then I take it down to Kragen's for disposal ...

 

[Moto]

What are you doing with your used brake fluid if not disposing of it with used motor oil?

 

[66HertzClone]

Every few months the county has a special hazardous collection day, I bring what I have then.

 

[Tscott]

I currently buy oil in the large containers 5 quarts I think and then once I have completed the oil change I just empty the catch basin back into the same jug the new oil came out of. Then I take it to auto zone next time a do a change. I realize this doesn't do you much good, but I have used a few other things in the past. For example when i worked as mechanic for a bowling alley, I used to take the large bottles the lane oil came in and use them to store waste fluids. If you have an alley near you they may save them for you if you ask. Otherwise, I would go with a few 5 gallon gas cans. If you do this, be sure to get a different color one than you store fuel in, gas engines don't take kindly to waste oil in the gas tank.

Tom

 

[rsanter]

most places will accept up to 5 gal at a time from a non-comercial source

go to a place that uses 5 gal plastic containers (painters) and get the contasiners that hace the pour spout
fill with oil and take to either the city or the auto parts store

bob