Shift Green

Oil is a valuable energy resource - two gallons of used motor oil can generate enough electricity for an average home for one day.

One gallon of oil can contaminate one million gallons of fresh water, or about a year’s supply of water for 50 people.

Oil filters are made of steel, which is a valuable recyclable material. Recycling all oil filters sold in the US each year would produce 160,000 tons of steel - enough for 15 Mariners stadium roofs!

For Oil: Drain the oil into a clean, reusable container (tip: use a funnel and an empty jug of new oil!) and bring it to any of the following locations during their business hours. Small quantities only - most stores will accept up to five gallons at a time.

For Filters: Drain the filter for 24 hours and collect the oil for recycling. Bring the used filter to any of the following locations during their business hours. These locations currently only accept metal filters.

Where to Recycle Used Oil & Filters

AutoZone Downtown - 175 Rainier Ave S, 425-203-1209: accepts oil and filters

AutoZone Whitman Court - 4260 NE 4th St, 425-255-0484: accepts oil and filters

O’Reilly Benson Hill - 17620 108th Ave SE, 425-228-6226: accepts oil and filters

O’Reilly Downtown - 307 Rainier Ave S, 425-235-9972: accepts oil and filters

O’Reilly Highlands - 3213 NE Sunset Blvd, 425-228-5090: accepts oil and filters

O’Reilly Whitman Court - 4350 NE 4th St A, 425-226-5576: accepts oil and filters

To locate oil drop-offs, view the map.

If you operate a business that accumulates large quantities of motor oil and/or filters, consider setting up a regular collection service with one of the following vendors. Filters can be collected crushed or uncrushed, depending on your business’s needs and the vendor’s recycling process.

The King County Hazardous Waste Management Program offers vouchers to reimburse businesses for costs associated with hazardous waste material management. You can apply for a voucher to cover the cost of filter crushing and storage equipment. Learn more about and submit a request for voucher reimbursement via their website.

Commercial Oil and Filter Recyclers:

Arcom Oil - Tacoma, WA - 253-535-9322

Clean Harbors - Kent, WA - 253-639-4240

Crystal Clean - Tacoma, WA - 1-877-938-7948

EcoLube Recovery - Puyallup, WA - 833-326-5823

Emerald Services - Seattle, WA - 888-832-3008

FBN Enterprises, Inc. - Bellevue, WA - 425-466-9642

Keep It Clean Recycling & Equipment - Redmond, WA - 425-868-3535

Kleen Environmental Technologies - Seattle, WA - 206-285-8010

Marine Vacuum Service Inc. - Seattle, WA - 800-540-7491

Thermo Fluids - Sumner, WA - 800-350-7565

Safety-Kleen - Seattle, WA - 253-561-8270

Hazardous waste generated during auto service and repair - including antifreeze, coolant, brake fluid, car batteries, carburetor cleaner, engine degreaser, flares, gasoline, transmission fluid, used oil, and used oil filters - must be disposed of properly. Improper disposal of auto-related waste, including water from home car washing, is not allowed in the city’s storm and surface water system (nothing but rain down the storm drain).

Take all hazardous waste to the Auburn Wastemobile (open Saturday/Sunday. from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.) at 1101 Outlet Collection Way or to the Factoria Household Hazardous Waste Facility (open Tuesday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.) at 13800 SE 32nd Street in Bellevue.

For residents: There is no fee for hazardous waste drop-off and no appointment required. Limit 50 gallons per residential customer per day. No containers larger than five gallons.

For businesses: Small businesses that produce less than 220 pounds (about 25 gallons) of hazardous waste each month can apply for no cost disposal. As a Small Quantity Generator (SQG), you can drop off up to 25 gallons of hazardous waste up to four times per year. Businesses must fill out and print this Business Disposal Form prior to each drop off.

Concerned that your car might be leaking(PDF, 280KB)? Did you know that even a single drop on your driveway can mean your car is facing a shorter lifespan? Plus, leaks are the largest polluters of Puget Sound, so those drips are having a huge impact on the health of our local waters.

While addressing some drips and leaks can require costly repairs, the most common cause is an ill-fitting oil drain plug or oil pan gasket, both of which are inexpensive repairs. Washington’s Don't Drip and Drive campaign provides free resources, inspections, and workshops to help residents identify and address leaks. Puget Sound Starts Here features car care information in various languages, including details about the Don’t Drip and Drive Program.