Three types of used-motor-oil collection programs serve the State of Alabama. The collection program available to you will depend upon such factors as population density, municipal involvement, and the location and number of recycling facilities in your area.
CURBSIDE COLLECTION is primarily used in metropolitan areas (Northport, Tuscaloosa, Athens, Decatur, and Huntsville) where regular garbage pickup is provided. In these cities, garbage trucks have been adapted to transport used motor oil deposited on the curb by equipping the vehicles with metal storage racks or tanks. Used oil stored during route collection is transferred to a holding tank at city facilities. A collector then picks up the used motor oil and recycles it. (Please check with your local sanitation or recycling department to confirm curbside pickup.)
The COLLECTION CENTER program consists of service stations, garages, and automobile parts and service centers which voluntarily accept used motor oil generated by the do-it-yourselfer(DIY) oil changer. These businesses routinely collect the used motor oil produced during their daily operation and have commonly practiced recycling as a method of safely disposing of used motor oil.
The third type of collection is DRUM OR TANK PLACEMENT. In this program, 55 gallon drums or collection tanks are placed at cooperating businesses and small government agencies for the collection of used motor oil. This collection program functions well in rural areas of our state, where few or no service stations are available.