Disposal of Automotive Fluids

Motor Oil

When you change your oil, make sure to finish the job right!

Recycling is the only LEGAL way to dispose of your used motor oil. Also, by recycling you can preserve San José's environment. Recycle your used motor oil — it is easy and convenient.

Used motor oil is extremely hazardous to the environment. Oil dumped into gutters or storm drains flows directly to the South San Francisco Bay without being treated. The oil from one oil change can pollute a million gallons of fresh water. Also, oil dumped onto the ground may leak into drinking water sources. By recycling used motor oil, you can keep it out of drinking water and the Bay.

Be careful not to mix used motor oil with any other fluids, such as antifreeze. Oil mixed with other fluids cannot be recycled.

The City of San José makes used motor oil recycling easy and convenient. How you recycle your oil depends on the type of home in which you live.

Single Family Homes

If you live in a home that has curbside recycling, you can recycle your used motor oil through the curbside recycling program. Simply call Customer Contact Center at 535-3500 to order special jugs for the used oil. Place the jugs out only on recycling day. The recycling driver will replace any full jugs with empty ones each time you set out your used motor oil. In order to avoid spills and leaks, use only the plastic jugs delivered by the Recycle Plus program for collection.

Multi-Family Homes

If you live in an apartment or other multi-family residence with shared dumpster service, you can recycle your used motor oil by taking it to a recycler near you. Place the oil in a plastic jug with a screw on lid. To locate a recycler of used motor oil near you, visit the Center for the Development of Recycling web site and click on the Recycling Search link. At the present time, curbside recycling service for used motor oil is not available at most multi-family residences.

Oil Filters

Oil filters are recyclable, too. Just drain any excess oil into the oil collection pan, place the filter in a plastic bag.

Antifreeze

Antifreeze is very poisonous. Pouring it on the ground can harm children and animals, including domestic pets. Also, antifreeze that is not disposed of properly can end up in the drinking water and the Bay. To find a recycler for antifreeze, visit the Center for the Development of Recycling web site and click on the Recycling Search link. Recyclers will not accept antifreeze that has been mixed with other fluids.

Note: Antifreeze should not be poured down household drains or toilets. Although the water is treated, some chemicals that are harmful to the environment can still reach the Bay.

Other Automotive Fluids

Other fluids such as brake fluid or transmission fluid cannot be recycled. If you need to dispose of these fluids, call the Santa Clara County Household Hazardous Waste Disposal and Recycling Hotline at (408) 299-7300. They will give you an appointment to drop off these toxic wastes.

Other Auto Recycling and Disposal

Scrap Metal Auto Parts

Many wreckage yards will take your old auto parts. Some will even pay you for them! Look under "auto-salvage" in the yellow pages.

Metal car parts may be recycled through the curbside recycling program. The car parts must be able to fit in your recycling cart with the lid closed, cannot weigh more than 336 pounds, and any fluids must be disposed of properly.

Car parts that cannot be accepted include: tailpipes and mufflers, catalytic converters, brake shoes, and spark plugs.

Batteries

Recycle your used automobile battery. To find a recycler for batteries near you, visit the Center for the Development of Recycling web site and click on the Recycling Search link and select Misc. from the category list.

Tires

By state law, tires may not be placed in the garbage. Tires stored at your house are also a fire hazard and dumping them along creek banks is illegal. To find a recycler for tires near you, visit the Center for the Development of Recycling web siteand click on the Recycling Search link. Most charge a disposal fee, but the benefits to the environment and your community are worth it.