Free Oil Containers

Get a Free Oil Collection Container When You Recycle Your Used Oil

Beginning November 15, 2012- America Recycles Day-Mariposa County residents who bring used motor oil and/or filters for recycling to NAPA Auto Parts in Mariposa, Greeley Hill True Value, the Mariposa County Landfill or the Don Pedro Transfer Station will receive a free oil recycling container. This program, sponsored by Mariposa County Department of Public Works and funded by a grant from the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle), will continue while supplies last.

Please Note: Motor oil mixed with fluids such as antifreeze, gas or solvents is considered contaminated and cannot be left for recycling. Safely store contaminated oil in a watertight container for disposal at the next household hazardous waste event.

Participant locations and hours are as follows:

  • NAPA-4901 Joe Howard Road, Mariposa; Mon.-Sat., 7 a.m.-7 p.m., Sun., 8 a.m.-4 p.m. 209-966-3697.
  • Greeley Hill True Value-6364 Greeley Hill Road, Greeley Hill; 8 a.m.-6 p.m. daily; 209-878-3414.
  • Mariposa County Landfill and Recycling Center-5593 Highway 49N, Mariposa; Thur.-Mon., 8 a.m.-4 p.m.; 209-966-5165.
  • Lake Don Pedro Transfer Station-9729 Merced Fall Road, LaGrange; Thur., Sat., Sun., 9 a.m.-Noon, 12:30 p.m.-5 p.m.; 209-852-9692.

Refining Used Motor Oil

Rerefining used motor oil requires about one-third less energy than processing it from crude oil. And, because it takes just two gallons of used oil compared to 84 gallons of crude oil to produce a single gallon of clean motor oil, recycling is an easy, economical way to conserve dwindling petroleum resources. Used motor oil can also be recycled an infinite number of times.

Improperly disposing of oil by pouring it onto the ground, down drains or into the trash can pollute surface and ground water and the soil. Just one gallon of oil can pollute one million gallons of drinking water. State law, which classifies motor oil as a hazardous waste, requires that oil and oil filters be disposed of at a certified oil recycling collection center, such as those listed above.