For starters — never throw it in the trash, dump it on the ground, or hose it into a gutter. (Just one quart of used oil hosed into a storm drain or creek, or emptied from a boat's bilge, can pollute up to 250,000 gallons of water!) Storing it in your garage, barn or shed isn't a good answer either, as it can pose a fire hazard and jeopardize your family's health and safety.

Instead, you should take used oil to a collection center, where it can actually be cleaned, re-refined and used again. Then, you can help "close the loop" by purchasing re-refined oil products, just as you do when buying recycled paper.

CEC has helped establish convenient collection locations for used oil from cars and trucks, airplanes, and boats. Find out where to take your used oil:

Automotive Oil
Due in large part to CEC's ongoing efforts, Santa Barbara County has more than 50 collection centers, many of them gas stations or auto supply stores, that accept used motor oil from the public, free of charge. From Santa Maria to Carpinteria, these centers may accept up to 20 gallons of uncontaminated used oil per person per day, in containers no larger than five gallons each. Many also accept used oil filters. To find the collection site nearest you, download our brochure.

Airplane Oil
Thanks to CEC, the four largest airports in the County — in Santa Barbara, Santa Ynez Valley, Santa Maria, and Lompoc — have new collection equipment to accept used oil and filters from general aviation pilots who independently change their aircraft's engine oil (as opposed to commercial pilots who leave this task to a professional service.) To find out more, download our brochure. You can also call us at (805) 963-0583, ext. 104.

Boat Oil
Boaters should know that because they have direct contact with the marine environment, it is particularly important that they manage hazardous materials on their vessel to avoid polluting our coastal waters. To find out where to deposit used oil when docking in San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura Harbors, download our brochure. Also, learn more about other ways boaters can prevent pollution through our Boating Clean and Green campaign.