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Waste Oil Disposal

Discussion in 'Chainsaws and Power Equipment' started by lukem, Jan 23, 2026 at 12:23 PM.

  1. lukem

    lukem

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    Where does everyone take their waste oil? I used to just burn mine on brush piles, but I'm out of brush at the moment and have 12 gallons that need gone.

    Last time I tried taking it to a big box auto store they got pi$$y and acted like I had just ruined their life by taking a max of 2 gallons.

    I'm going to have another 12 or 13 gallons of used hydraulic fluid in a few weeks too.
     
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  2. eatonpcat

    eatonpcat

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    The county I live in will take it...Although I realize this is no help to you.
     

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  3. CoachSchaller

    CoachSchaller

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    The auto repair shop near me uses the waste oil for their heat. Not sure about the hydraulic oil...
     
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  4. Jeffrey Svoboda

    Jeffrey Svoboda

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    Round here any AutoZone, advance, or O'Reilly will take 5 gallons at a time. Who cares how you make them feel, just make them do their job. That's what they're getting paid for. If there's really a problem call corporate and let them know what's going on. I'll bet the store takes it the next time you try.
     
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  5. Ronaldo

    Ronaldo

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    My local independent auto repair business also uses the waste oil for heat. They’ll take all I bring in.
     
  6. RCBS

    RCBS

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    I have a secret method that I cannot share. 100% environmentally sound. I do not take it to any traditional disposal facilities nor to someone with an oil heater. I can burn off most with brush, but when I get large quantities I gotta do the thing.

    Wait..I know...find one of those 'used oil is fine for bar oil' folks?
     
  7. Warner

    Warner

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    I hear smudge pots are all the rage
     
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  8. imwiley1

    imwiley1

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    Several county, city, and town municipalities in the area have collection sites, most are free to residents, and some are accessible 24/7 and self serve.
     
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  9. Eggshooterist

    Eggshooterist

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    My neighbor has a big waste oil heater in his shop. He takes all mine. Maybe there's a shop in your area that will take it. Before that I took mine to autozone.
     
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  10. lukem

    lukem

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    Maybe some places, but there are only 5 stop lights in my entire county. 24/7 self serve waste oil collection might as well be a space ship.
     
  11. Gardening/Arborist

    Gardening/Arborist

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    In my area local fire stations use waste oil burners for heat and are set up for accepting.
     
  12. brenndatomu

    brenndatomu

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    Many/most mechanics shops burn it for heat
    I see people looking for it on fbmp all the time too...
     
  13. Horkn

    Horkn

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    Ours stupidly makes you pay a 35 dollar a year fee to access the collection center that takes the oil and burns it in their waste oil filter. The collection center will take old appliances, (most) steel, etc and they have a big collection cylinder for used motor oil. You'd think they'd want ask the used oil guy burning as them get, but they won't take used oil unless you hang the stupid tag that costs $35 a year. When you try to help out by giving the town we pay taxes in, oil to heat and reduce their bill, you can't. Not unless you have that pass. So stupid.

    Instead, my wife takes our used oil to O'Reilly Auto. They'll take like 5 gallons at a time.