The County of San Diego, with support from CalRecycle, is teaming up with O’Reilly Auto Parts and I Love A Clean San Diego to collect motor oil and filters in the unincorporated county.
On June 6, East County residents can dispose of used motor oil and exchange old oil filters for free new ones at participating O’Reilly locations, limit two filters per household.
According to CalRecycle, one in six Californians change their oil at home. While many people recycle used motor oil, far fewer recycle oil filters. These filters retain oil that should be properly disposed of and are made of recyclable steel that can be diverted from landfills.
Each year, approximately 425 million oil filters are used in the United States, holding an estimated 18 million gallons of oil — enough to fill a 55-foot-deep lake covering a professional football field.
Improper oil disposal can release harmful chemicals into the air and water, harming animals and marine plants. However, recycled oil can be used again and again, reducing the amount of oil we need to extract and saving energy by lessening how much crude oil we refine.
While the June 6 event offers the added benefit of a free filter exchange, residents can recycle oil and filters year-round. Visit wastefreesd.org to find a nearby collection site.
