Why?

Motor oil is a hazardous waste and should be disposed of properly. It is never acceptable or legal to dispose of motor oil in trash or recycling bins or dumpsters, down sinks, toilets, storm drains, or by pouring it on the soil. Even small amounts of improperly disposed motor oil can contaminate and pollute the soil, groundwater, streams, and rivers. When motor oil is recycled properly, millions of barrels of crude oil and millions of dollars can be saved. Recycled motor oil can be made into new, synthetic motor oil and many useful consumer products.

What?

The Monterey County Health Department and Tri-Cities Disposal & Recycling are working together to provide residents of the Salinas Valley with an environmentally friendly option for disposing of their used motor oil and oil filters. Tri-Cities Disposal & Recycling offers a free weekly motor oil and filter collection service for residential customers on their regular trash and recycling collection day. To participate in this program, you must use the County's used oil collection container.

How?

• If you do not have the proper container, one can be provided by calling Tri-Cities at 888-678-6798

• On your regular trash and recycling collection day, place your full oil container out on the curb next to your green cart.

• If our drivers have a new container available, they will leave it in place of your full one.

  • This is a popular program, and our trucks can only hold so many containers at one time.

  • If a new container is not left, please call 888-678-6798 and request another one.

This service is available for single-family residences only. Oil must be free of all other fluids (i.e. no antifreeze or fuel) and properly placed to avoid spillage.