Motor Oil, Oil Filters and Other Automotive Products

Material Description

Motor oil, oil filters, antifreeze, parts cleaners, lubricants, waxes, transmission fluids. Motor vehicle batteries are discussed on another page.

Environmental Impacts

Potential environmental impacts depend on the ingredients in the products you are using. Many automotive products may be toxic or flammable, so you must take caution. Products may pollute groundwater or surface water if thrown down sewers.

Too Valuable to Waste

Always try to use products up. Oil never wears out and can be recycled.

Legal Requirements

Because used oil is easily recyclable, under chapter 287.07 (1m), Wis. Stat., it is illegal to dispose of used oil in a licensed landfill or incinerate it without energy recovery.

Household automotive waste is excluded from regulation as a hazardous waste identified in chapter NR 679, Wis. Adm. Code, [PDF, exit DNR]. However, if a household waste is managed separately by a non-household member, this exemption no longer applies.

Your local government may have legal restrictions on throwing certain materials in the garbage or down the sewer. Homeowners should check with their local recycling program or public works or public health departments to find out about local restrictions.

Preferred Handling Options:

• Motor Oil: Recycle!

  Any business that is a retailer of new lubricating oil must either have a used oil collection site available for use by the public and post a sign advertising this, or they must post a sign indicating the location and operating hours of the nearest used oil collection site. Wisconsin municipalities are required to ensure that adequate used oil collection capacity is available for do-it-yourselfers in their communities.

• Oil Filters: Recycle!
  • Some service stations, quick oil change shops, car dealerships and car repair shops will accept your filters for recycling.
  • Household "Do-It-Yourselfers" are allowed to put used oil filters in the trash. If you choose to put your filter in the trash, you should first drain the oil from your filter [PDF, 30KB].
• Other Automotive Items: Safely Dispose!
  • The best handling options depend on the ingredients in the products you are using and the community in which you live. Read the label for proper disposal techniques and take personal responsibility for determining the appropriate disposal option. When in doubt, ask!
  • UW-Extension has developed a publication that contains helpful information on disposal options for waste oil and other automotive products [PDF, exit DNR].
  • Many county Web sites [exit DNR] may contain contact information for public works, hazardous waste, or public health departments or look in your phone book.