Refuse & Recycling Services

858 - Recycling Used Automotive Products

Motor oil and anti-freeze not properly disposed of can pollute groundwater, harm Santa Monica Bay and place people and pets at risk. You should never pour used oil or anti-freeze on the ground or down a storm drain, nor should it be placed in refuse or recycling containers. Used motor oil, filters, antifreeze, degreasers, lubricants, and car batteries can be recycled at the city’s Household Hazardous Waste Center located at 2500 Michigan Avenue . The facility is open Wednesday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. and on Saturday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. This service is free to Santa Monica residents and requires proof of residency. Free containers for recycling use motor oil and filters are also available to all residents.

There are a number of Santa Monica locations where residents can recycle used motor oil and filters for free. When recycling a used oil filter, be sure to drain it first, place it in a leak proof, tightly sealed plastic bag. Help avoid contamination by not mixing used motor oil with any other automotive products such as gasoline, solvents, antifreeze, and cleaners.

For information on the closest used motor oil and filter recycling location to you, or to find out where to get a free recycling containers, please visit the Environmental Programs Division website, or call the Environmental Programs Division at (310) 458-2213, Monday through Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and alternate Fridays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. After hours and on weekends, you may leave a message and your call will be returned on the next business day. You may also find information on our website at www.smepd.org.