About the Free Used Oil and Oil Filter Collection Program

The Regional Waste Management Authority and Recology Yuba-Sutter have developed a FREE and convenient used oil and oil filter collection program for agricultural producers and other businesses in Yuba and Sutter Counties. This page describes the program and related requirements and restrictions. Please review it carefully. We welcome your participation in this free program.

PERMANENT USED OIL & OIL FILTER COLLECTION PROGRAM

Recent changes to California law (California Health and Safety Code Section 25250.11) allow certain persons to transport up to 55 gallons of used oil at one time without a manifest to the Certified Used Oil Collection Center located at the Yuba-Sutter Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Facility. The following summarizes the requirements for this program.

• By appointment only. To schedule an appointment call Monday through Friday (530) 743-6933.
• Each shipment of used oil can not exceed 55 gallons and the capacity of any single container can not exceed 55 gallons.
• The used oil must be transported by the generator of the used oil.
• Associated used oil filters are also accepted at this center.
• Used oil and oil filters are accepted at no charge.
• Transport materials in sealed, leak-proof containers.
• Absorbents are accepted for a fee based on the amount and type of materials.
• Have your EPA Hazardous Waste Generator ID# available when you call for an appointment. Recent legislative changes now require that all generators of hazardous waste have an EPA ID#. If you do not have an EPA ID#, the following section describes how you can obtain one.
• Other hazardous wastes are accepted from Conditionally Exempt Small Quantity Generators (CESQGs) at the Yuba-Sutter Household Hazardous Waste Facility for a fee based on the amount and type of materials.
• Limited to businesses and other organizations physically located in Yuba or Sutter Counties. Proof of eligibility may be required.

EPA GENERATOR ID#S

• Generators of any amount of non-Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) wastes, or less than 100 kilograms (27 gallons) of RCRA waste per month must get a California EPA ID#. Used oil is a non-RCRA hazardous waste. To get a California EPA ID#, call (800) 618-6942. There is no application fee, although there is an annual verification fee based on the number of employees in the entire organization. There is no fee if there are less than 50 employees.
• Generators of more than 100 kilograms (27 gallons) of RCRA waste per month must get a U.S. EPA ID#. To get a U.S. EPA ID#, a Form 8700-12, "Notification of Regulated Waste Activity," must be submitted. This form can be requested by calling (415) 495-8895. There is no application fee, although the annual verification fee described above also applies to U.S. EPA ID#s.

USED OIL FILTER MANAGEMENT, STORAGE AND TRANSPORTATION REQUIREMENTS

• Prior to storage or transportation, used oil filters must be drained of all free-flowing oil, which is a continuous stream of used oil from the filter when it is inverted. Used oil flowing drop-by-drop is not considered to be free flowing. If the filter is equipped with a flapper valve or other device that impedes the drainage of used oil from the filter, that device must be manipulated to allow the used oil to drain freely.
• Used oil filters must be contained, labeled, stored and transported in closed, rainproof, non-leaking containers. The container must be labeled "Drained Used Oil Filters" and show the initial date of accumulation.
• Used oil filters must be transported with a bill of lading to record the transfer, including the generator, transporter and receiving company names, addresses, telephone numbers, quantity and size of used oil filter containers transferred and the date of transfer. Copies of each bill of lading must be kept on the premises of the generator, transporter and receiving facility where the used oil filters were handled for three years.

USED OIL HANDLING

Handle used oil cautiously. Do not breathe the vapors and avoid skin contact. Used motor oil frequently contains toxic substances such as lead, cadmium and other metals and toxic organic substances such as benzene, poly-aromatic hydrocarbons and solvents.

In fact, per California Health and Safety Code Section 25250.5:

• It is illegal to dispose of used oil on land, to sewers, drainage systems, surface water, groundwater, watercourses or marine waters.
• It is illegal to dispose of used oil by incineration or burning as fuel, including in space heaters and similar devices.
• It is illegal to apply used oil or recycled oil as a dust suppressant (road oiling) or for insect or weed control.
• Disposal of used oil filters in garbage receptacles and at landfills is also prohibited.

USED OIL ACCUMULATION RESTRICTIONS

California law restricts the volume and time that used oil and other hazardous wastes can be accumulated without a hazardous waste storage facility permit. In general, a generator of less than 1,000 kilograms (2,200 pounds; 270 gallons) of hazardous waste in any calendar month can accumulate hazardous waste on-site for 180 days or less without a storage permit.

In general, a generator of 1,000 kilograms (2,200 pounds; 270 gallons) or more of hazardous waste in any calendar month can accumulate hazardous waste on-site for 90 days or less.

OIL COLLECTION SERVICES

Commercial used oil collection services provide on-site used oil collection for a service fee. Several such services are listed in the yellow pages.