Used Motor Oil, Oil Filters and Motor Oil Bottle Collection Sites
Farmer Oil Collection Program l Oil/Gasoline Mixtures Collection Program l Used Motor Oil Tool Kit
What CAN and CANNOT go into used motor oil, farmer oil, oil/gasoline collection tanks?
The Proof is in the Numbers

Used Motor Oil Recycling and More

In South Carolina, used motor oil must be recycled. It’s the law. The S.C. Solid Waste Policy and Management Act of 1991 (Act) banned the disposal of motor oil in municipal solid waste (MSW) landfills after May 27, 1992. The Act prohibits the disposal of oil into sewers, drainage systems, septic tanks, surface water or groundwater and on the ground. The Act also prohibits the use of oil for road oiling, dust control, weed abatement and other uses that have the potential to harm the environment.

If you have your oil changed for you (at a car dealership, garage or quick lube), your used motor oil is recycled by that business. If you are a do-it-yourselfer (DIYer – an individual who changes oil in a personal vehicle), you must recycle that used motor oil. In addition, you should recycle the used oil filter and motor oil bottles. If you have any questions about South Carolina's successful used motor oil recycling program, click here.

Used Motor Oil, Used Oil Filter and Motor Oil Bottle Collection Sites

All South Carolina counties have collection sites for used motor oil recycling. In addition, most counties also accept used oil filters and motor oil bottles for recycling. Click here and select the county where you live for a list of recycling sites and what is collected in your area.

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Farmer Oil Collection Program

This program is designed to assist farmers generating 25 gallons of used motor oil per month or less. The Office has worked with local recycling programs to set up 55 collection sites in 40 counties. Click here and select the county where you live for a list of recycling sites and what is collected in your area.

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Oil/Gasoline Mixtures Collection Program

The Office has worked with local recycling programs to set up collection tanks for gasoline and oil/gasoline mixtures. Seventy-three collection sites have been established in 40 counties. Click here and select the county where you live for a list of recycling sites and what is collected in your area.

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"Take Action: Recycle Used Motor Oil Tool Kit" for Teachers

The "Take Action: Recycle Used Motor Oil Tool Kit" is designed for teachers to introduce used motor oil recycling into the classroom. For teachers who have received a grant through the Office's Recycling Education Grant Program, any of the activities or lessons provided in this tool kit can be used to meet the used motor oil awareness requirement. Click here to view the tool kit.

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What CAN and CANNOT go in used motor oil, farmer oil and oil/gasoline collection tanks?

The following petroleum products are ACCEPTABLE in collection tanks:

The following liquids are NOT ACCEPTABLE in collection tanks:

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The Proof is in the Numbers

Do-it-yourself (DIY) oil changers in South Carolina recycled 1,002,006 gallons of used oil in 2006. This marks the eighth consecutive year that more than 1 million gallons were collected, according to figures released by the Office. Since the used oil recycling program began in 1990, DIYers have recycled more than 13 million gallons of used oil. In addition, DIYers continued to recycle used oil filters and oil bottles in most counties. 

 

CALENDAR YEAR
USED OIL COLLECTED
2001
1,147,500 GALLONS
2002
1,160,865 GALLONS
2003
1,142,199 GALLONS
2004
1,164,835 GALLONS
2005
1,066,336 GALLONS
2006
1,002,006 GALLONS

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For more information about recycling in South Carolina, please call 1-800-768-7348.

This Web page was last updated on July 30, 2008.