PROTECT YOUR WATER Recycle Used Motor Oil
Reduce Oil-Related Environmental Pollution
Used Oil Regulations
The 74th Texas Legislature amended the State's used oil program by passing the Used Oil Collection, Management, and Recycling Act. The law became effective on September 1, 1995, and it banned the landfilling and dumping of used motor oil and created the recycling program.
In March 1996, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) implemented the new law by adopting a new chapter in the Texas Administrative Code (30 TAC Chapter 324). The 75th Texas Legislature further amended the used oil program (Texas Health and Safety Code (THSC) Chapter 371) to include Registration, Reporting, and State-Required Financial Responsibilities for Used Oil Handlers.
Used Oil Management Standards are governed by the following Laws and Regulations:
- 40 CFR Part 279, federal regulations on management of used oil.
- 30 TAC Chapter 324, state regulations on used oil recycling (adoption of 40 CFR Part 279).
- THSC Chapter 371, state law on collection, management, and recycling of used oil.
Why Recycle Used Oil?
- One quart of oil can contaminate approximately 250,000 gallons of water.
The oil from one motor oil change poured down the storm drain can create an eight-acre oil slick.
- Through re-refining or processing, used oil can be used over and over without losing its lubricating ability.
- Re-refining used oil takes 70 percent less energy than refining crude oil, providing big energy savings.
- It is illegal to dump your used oil in the trash, on the ground, or down a storm drain, or to pour it onto roads or driveways to control dust. Not only can you get fined, but most important, used oil contains heavy metals and additives and it can contaminate the soil and water and have harmful effects on your own health and local environment.
- There are potential federal, state and local government fines, associated with violations, including criminal prosecution.
How Can You Recycle Used Oil?
- Drain used motor oil into a clean, leak proof and non-rusting container. Label the container with the words "Used Oil". Reusable containers can be purchased at hardware and auto parts stores.
- Do not mix used oil with liquids such as antifreeze, carburetor cleaner, gasoline, paint thinner, pesticides, brake cleaner, chemicals, or solvents, because this will make your used oil unfit for recycling.
- You can take up to 55 gallons of used oil to a collection center, such as a service station, filling station, quick-lube center, or garage. To find a collection center near you, please go to: www.earth911.org
Used Oil Collection Centers
A Used Oil Collection Center is any registered facility that accepts, stores, and manages used oil collected from used oil generators who bring used oil in shipments less than 55 gallons, such as service stations, governments, and businesses. Collection Centers also may accept used oil from household do-it-yourselfers.
What is Used Oil?
Used oil includes any of the following materials:
- Any oil, either synthetic or refined from crude oil, that
- Has been used for its designed and intended purposes, and as a result of use is contaminated by physical or chemical impurities, and has become a spent material (that is, it can no longer be used without processing).
- Any other material that has physical and chemical properties similar to used oil, is used in normally accepted functions of oil, and has been designated as used oil by TCEQ.
- Used oil that is characteristically hazardous from use (as opposed to oil rendered characteristically hazardous by mixing).
- Used oil collected from household do-it-yourselfers.
- Hazardous used oil or used oil mixtures from Conditionally Exempt Small-Quantity Generators.
- Used oil to be burned for energy recovery.
A used oil Collection Center must register with the TCEQ's Used Oil Recycling Program within 30 days of starting operation, and must re-register no later than January 25th of odd-numbered years. Also they must report to TCEQ the amount of used oil collected during the previous year, no later than January 25th of every year.
Recycle Used Motor Oil - It is the Law!
For More Information on Used Oil Recycling
Visit the State's Web site at:
To learn more about how to collect and recycle used oil safely, call the TCEQ Waste Permits Division at 512/239-2334.
City of Dallas Public Works and Transportation
Storm Water Management Section
320 E. Jefferson Boulevard, Room # 308
Dallas, TX 75203
City of Dallas Publication No. 03/04-23