Tag Archives: stay at home

Seal It Up and Drop It Off: Used Motor Oil and Filter Recycling in Marin County

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Working on your motorcycle while at home due to COVID-19? Planning an oil change but not sure what to do with your used motor oil and filter?

Yamaha V-Star 650 Cruiser Oil Change

Whether you’ve got a DR650, a Yamaha V-Star 650 Cruiser, a Dry-Sump Suzuki DR350 Enduro, a BMW R1150RT, or any other ride, the job isn’t done until you’ve recycled your used oil AND filter. Both motor oil and the steel in oil filters can be cleaned and used over and over again if they’re recycled. Though we’re focusing on Marin County for this post, the options are similar across California – find details for your city or county here.

Get in gear.
The first step is prep. Fully drain the used oil AND filter – ideally overnight to catch all the oil. A used oil filter can hold up to a quart of oil! Use a funnel to pour the used oil into a clean, sturdy, leak-proof plastic container with a screw-on cap. Place the empty oil filter in a sealed plastic bag. Be sure to keep the oil clean – don’t mix it with any other fluids or substances so that it can be recycled again and again. If it does get contaminated with anything, including water or other car fluids, make sure to take it to your local Household Hazardous (HHW) Facility – read more below. Once your oil and filter are secure, you can take it on the road.

Used oil filter drains overnight.

Take it on the road.
Marin County has several drop-off locations where DIYers can take their used motor oil and filters for free, including auto parts stores, repair shops and recycling yards, several of which are still open during the Stay at Home period with limited hours. Zero Waste Marin created a map of all the used oil and filter collection centers, so you can easily find the closest center to drop-off your used oil and filters. If possible, wait until the Stay at Home Order is lifted and always call the drop-off location first to verify hours and limitations.

Mixed up?
Not sure if your oil is mixed with other materials, or have other Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) such as paint, antifreeze, or insecticide to get rid of as well? Both the Marin HHW Facility (all Marin County residents except Novato) and the Novato HHW Facility (only Novato residents) remain open to the public. Marin County residents can drop off a maximum of 15 gallons or 125 pounds of contaminated oil and other HHW for free at the facilities with ID and proof of residency. Visit the Marin HHW Facility or the Novato HHW Facility sites beforehand to confirm hours and requirements.

For more useful info on motorcycles, DIY oil changing, and oil and filter recycling – check out our other blog posts and the rest of the Riders Recycle site!

Get in Gear While Staying at Home in Napa County

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Working on your motorcycle while staying at home due to COVID-19? Planning an oil change but not sure what to do with your used motor oil and filter?

DR650 oil change

Whether you’ve got a DR650, a Yamaha V-Star 650 Cruiser, a Dry-Sump Suzuki DR350 Enduro, a BMW R1150RT, or any other ride, the job isn’t done until you’ve recycled your used oil AND filter. Both motor oil and the steel in oil filters can be cleaned and used over and over again if they’re recycled. Though we’re focusing on Napa County for this post, the options are similar across California – find details for your city or county here.

Oil recycling pan and filter drainer

Get in gear.

The first step is prep. Fully drain the used oil AND filter – ideally overnight to catch all the oil. A used oil filter can hold up to a quart of oil! Use a funnel to pour the used oil into a clean, sturdy, leak-proof plastic container with a screw-on cap. Place the empty oil filter in a sealed plastic bag. Depending on where you live, you might be able to get free jugs and filter bags for recycling delivered to your home – find your city below for details. Be sure to keep the oil clean – don’t mix it with any other fluids or substances so that it can be recycled again and again. If it does get contaminated with anything, including water or other car fluids, make sure to take it to your local Household Hazardous (HHW) Facility – read more below. Once your oil and filter are secure, you can either park it at the curbside for recycling or take it on the road when the Shelter at Home Order is lifted – keep reading to decide what’s easiest for you.

Curbside Motor Oil

Park it at the curb.

In Napa County, convenient curbside collection of motor oil and filters is available to single-family residential customers in the cities/towns below. Depending on where you live and your waste hauler, you might need to prep your used oil and filters a little differently to guarantee they will get picked up. Find your city or town below for details.

City of Napa and Southern Unincorporated Napa County (Airport Industrial Area, unincorporated American Canyon around Green Island Rd., Carneros, Coombsville, Edgerly Island, Mt. Veeder/Redwood Rd., Silverado Country Club)

For Napa Recycling and Waste Services/Napa County Recycling and Waste Services customers in the cities/towns above, call 707-255-5200 to sign up for the curbside oil and filter recycling program and reserve a used oil container and oil filter bag. The containers hold 2.25 gallons of oil, and two filters will fit in the bag. When you are ready for a pickup, call 707-255-5200 for an appointment, so the drivers look for your oil container and filter bag set-out next to your recycling cart. They will leave a replacement oil container and filter bag for your next oil change.

City of American Canyon

Recology American Canyon customers can recycle used oil curbside but not used oil filters at this time. Call 707-552-3110 ahead of time for free oil recycling jugs. Up to two gallons of used oil may be recycled every week. Place sealed used motor oil jugs next to your carts for pickup on collection day and a new oil jug will be left at the curb for your next oil change.

Calistoga, St. Helena, Yountville, and Unincorporated Northern Napa County (Angwin, Deer Park, Howell Mountain, Oakville, Pope Valley, and Rutherford)

Upper Valley Disposal Services customers above can call 707-963-7988 ahead of time to request a two-gallon motor oil recycling container and an oil filter bag for curbside/roadside collection. Call ahead for pickup on your regular service day and place the sealed containers next to your cart.

 

Take it on the road.

In addition to curbside oil and filter recycling, there are many convenient drop-off locations in Napa County where DIYers can take their used motor oil and filters for free, including auto parts stores, repair shops and recycling yards, several of which are still open during the Shelter at Home period with limited hours. CalRecycle created a map of all the used oil and filter collection centers, so you can easily find the closest center to drop-off your used oil and filters. If possible, wait until the Shelter at Home Order is lifted and always call the drop-off location first to verify hours and limitations.

 

Mixed up?

Not sure if your oil is mixed with other materials, or have other Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) such as paint, antifreeze, or insecticide to get rid of as well? The Napa-Vallejo Household Hazardous Waste Facility remains open to the public Friday and Saturday 9am-4pm, though all visitors to the site are required to remain in their vehicles as workers wearing protective equipment unload wastes. Napa County residents can drop off a maximum of 15 gallons or 125 pounds of contaminated oil and other HHW for free at the Napa HHW Facility. Visit the Napa-Vallejo Household Hazardous Waste Facility site beforehand to confirm hours and requirements.

If you live up valley, the Upper Valley Waste Management Agency sponsors twice-yearly household hazardous waste collection events in St. Helena and Calistoga. Email upvalleyrecycles@countyofnapa.org to request information on the next event.

For more useful info on motorcycles, DIY oil changing, and oil and filter recycling – check out our other blog posts and the rest of the Riders Recycle site!

Finish the Job Right While Staying at Home in Alameda County

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Spending some quality time with your motorcycle while staying at home due to COVID-19? Not sure what to do with your used oil and filter now that you’ve finished your oil change?

Pulling out oil pan

Whether you’ve got a Yamaha V-Star 650 Cruiser, a Dry-Sump Suzuki DR350 Enduro, a BMW R1150RT or any other ride, the job isn’t done until you’ve recycled your used oil AND filter. Both motor oil and the steel in oil filters can be cleaned and used over and over again if they’re recycled. Though we’re focusing on Alameda County for this post, the options are similar across California – find details for your city or county here.

Recycling pan and filter drainer

Get in gear.

The first step is prep. Fully drain the used oil AND filter – ideally overnight to catch the oil. A used oil filter can hold up to a quart of oil! If you’ve been stockpiling oil filters, be sure they’re fully drained. Use a funnel to pour the used oil into a clean, sturdy, leak-proof plastic container with a screw-on cap. Place the empty oil filter in a sealed plastic bag. Depending on where you live, you might be able to get free jugs and filter bags for recycling delivered to your home – find your city below for details. Be sure to keep the oil clean – don’t mix it with any other substance so that it can be recycled again and again. If it does get contaminated, make sure to take it to your local Household Hazardous (HHW) Facility – read more below. Once your oil and filter are secure, you can either park it at the curbside for recycling or take it on the road when the Shelter-In-Place Order is lifted – keep reading to decide what’s easiest for you.

Oakland Oil Filter Curbside

Park it at the curb.

If you live in one of the cities listed below, you may have access to convenient curbside oil and filter recycling! Depending on where you live and your waste hauler, you might need to prep your oil and filter a little differently to guarantee it will get picked up. Find your city below for details.

Alameda, Castro Valley, San Leandro

For Alameda County Industries customers, used motor oil and oil filters are collected curbside with single-family residential properties and complexes of two to four units. Alameda also provides curbside pickup for multifamily dwellings – call ACI (510-483-1400) before placing packaged oil on the curb for pickup. Free jugs and oil filter bags may be requested from ACI (510-483-1400 for Alameda and Castro Valley, 510-357-7282 for San Leandro), or you may use your own clean containers in Alameda and San Leandro. (Castro Valley customers must call ahead and use the containers provided by ACI.) Oil should be secure in a one gallon, screw top container. Oil filters must be contained in clear zipper-lock bags. Set up to two jugs of oil and bagged filters next to the cart, NOT INSIDE, on your service day.

Albany, Emeryville, San Lorenzo and Unincorporated

Through Waste Management, used motor oil and oil filters are collected curbside with most single-family homes and some apartments – go to their site or call 510-613-8710 to confirm service for your address and request a free jug to contain oil. Place up to four filled motor oil recycling jugs and up to two filters in sealed plastic bag curbside, next to your trash cart, not inside, the cart.

Dublin

Residential households with Amador Valley Industries (AVI) can call 925-479-9545 and request up to two used motor oil containers and a heavy duty zip lock bag for the recycling of up to two used motor oil filters. On your regular collection day, place the container(s) at the curb and AVI will replace them with empty ones for your next use.

Fremont, Newark

For residential Republic Services customers in Fremont and Newark, used motor oil is collected curbside at no extra cost. For more information and to request free Oil Recycling Kits, call Customer Service at 510-657-3500.

Livermore

For single-family residents in Livermore, contact Livermore Sanitation at 925-449-7300 to arrange for free delivery of oil jugs and filter bags. Place sealed jug and bag on the curb next to, not inside, your blue recycling cart on collection day.

Oakland

Used motor oil and filter recycling is easy in Oakland with California Waste Solutions whether you’re in a single-family home, apartment or condo – just follow the three steps in this Oakland Recycles Guide. Email oaklandcs@calwaste.com or call 510-625-5263 to order a free Motor Oil Recycling Kit (required for curbside recycling). The Motor Oil Recycling kit features a sturdy plastic gallon jug, instructions, and a special oil filter recycling bag. Place the Motor Oil Recycling Kit on the ground next to the recycle cart or bin on collection day. CWS will collect the full container(s) and replace the kit with an empty one.

 

Take it on the road.

If you don’t have curbside oil and filter recycling, Alameda County has over 100 drop-off locations where any DIYer can take their used motor oil and filters for free, including auto parts stores, repair shops and recycling yards, several of which are still open during the Shelter-In-Place period with limited hours. CalRecycle created a map of all the used oil and filter collection centers, so you can easily find the closest center to drop-off your used oil and filters. If possible, wait until the Shelter-In-Place Order is lifted and always call the drop-off location first to verify current hours and limitations.

 

Mixed up?

Not sure if your oil is mixed with other materials, or have other Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) such as paint, antifreeze, or insecticide to get rid of as well? Due to the Shelter-In-Place restrictions, Alameda County HHW Facilities in Oakland, Livermore and Hayward are currently closed. The Fremont HHW Facility is open limited hours (Wed-Fri 8:30am-2:30pm and Sat 8am-4pm), although current shelter in place guidelines discourage trips unless essential. Alameda County residents can drop off a maximum of 15 gallons or 125 pounds of contaminated oil and other HHW off for free at the Fremont HHW Facility with proof of residency. Visit the Fremont HHW site and call 800-606-6606 beforehand to confirm hours and requirements.

For more useful info on motorcycles, DIY oil changing, and oil and filter recycling – check out our other blog posts and the rest of the Riders Recycle site!

Get in Gear While Staying at Home in Sonoma County

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Working on your motorcycle while staying at home due to COVID-19? Planning an oil change but not sure what to do with your used motor oil and filter?

Suzuki DR350 Enduro Oil ChangeWhether you’ve got a Yamaha V-Star 650 Cruiser, a Dry-Sump Suzuki DR350 Enduro, a BMW R1150RT or any other motorcycle, the job isn’t done until you’ve recycled your used oil AND filter. Both motor oil and the steel in oil filters can be cleaned and used over and over again if they’re recycled. Though we’re focusing on Sonoma County for this post, the options are similar across California – find details for your city or county here.

Recycling pan and filter drainer

Get in gear.

The first step is prep. Fully drain the used oil AND filter – ideally overnight to catch all the oil. A used oil filter can hold up to a quart of oil! Call Zero Waste Sonoma’s Eco-Desk at 707-565-DESK (3375) to get a free motor oil filter drainer, like the one in the picture above, delivered to your home during COVID-19 Shelter-In-Place orders. Use a funnel to pour the used oil into a clean, sturdy, leak-proof plastic container with a screw-on cap. Place the empty oil filter in a sealed plastic bag. Depending on where you live, you might be able to get free jugs and filter bags for recycling delivered to your home – find your city below for details. Be sure to keep the oil clean – don’t mix it with any other fluids or substances so that it can be recycled again and again. If it does get contaminated with anything, including water or other car fluids, make sure to take it to your local Household Hazardous (HHW) Facility – read more below. Once your oil and filter are secure, you can either park it at the curbside for recycling or take it on the road when the Shelter-In-Place Order is lifted – keep reading to decide what’s easiest for you.

Park it at the curb.

In Sonoma County, curbside collection of motor oil and filters is available to all residential hauling company customers! Depending on where you live and your waste hauler, you might need to prep your oil and filter a little differently to guarantee it will get picked up. Find your city or town below for details.

Cloverdale, Cotati, Healdsburg, Petaluma, Rohnert Park, Santa Rosa, Sebastopol, and Unincorporated Sonoma County (see full list):

For the Recology Sonoma Marin customers in the cities/towns above, call 800-243-0291 to request a used oil kit (a container and sealable filter bag). When filled, call customer service to request a pickup, and place oil and filters at the curb next to, NOT INSIDE, your recycling cart on your service day.

Windsor:

Sonoma County Resource Recovery customers can request a free container and ziplock bag for used oil and filter recycling by calling 707-795-7470. Contain motor oil in a one gallon sealed plastic container with screw top lid and oil filter in a sealed ziplock bag. Place materials on the curb near your recycling cart for collection. They accept up to two gallons of motor oil per week. Find more details in the Residential Service Guidelines. 

Sonoma including Creekside, Chantarelle, Temelec:

Sonoma Garbage customers need to call 707-996-7555 ahead of time to schedule a pickup. You can order a free oil kit with an oil recycling container and zip closure bag when you call ahead. On the day of service, set sealed oil container and filter bag next to cart.

 

Take it on the road.

In addition to curbside oil and filter recycling, Sonoma County has more than 50 drop-off locations where DIYers can take their used motor oil and filters for free, including auto parts stores, repair shops and recycling yards, several of which are still open during the Shelter-In-Place period with limited hours. Zero Waste Sonoma created a map of all the used oil and filter collection centers, so you can easily find the closest center to drop-off your used oil and filters. If possible, wait until the Shelter-In-Place Order is lifted and always call the drop-off location first to verify hours and limitations. 

 

Mixed up?

Not sure if your oil is mixed with other materials, or have other Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) such as paint, antifreeze, or insecticide to get rid of as well? While HHW Rover and HHW Events are closed during Shelter-In-Place, the Sonoma County HHW Facility in Petaluma is open Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 7:30am-2:30pm. Sonoma County residents can drop off a maximum of 15 gallons or 125 pounds of contaminated oil and other HHW for free at the Petaluma Facility with ID to prove residency. Visit the Sonoma County HHW Facility site beforehand to confirm hours and requirements.

For more useful info on motorcycles, DIY oil changing, and oil and filter recycling – check out our other blog posts and the rest of the Riders Recycle site!