If you have used motor oil you may be able to find someone who will buy it. It will depend on how much you have in order to sell it. There are plenty of companies that will dispose of your used motor oil for free, but not everyone buys it. In this article, I will address your options for selling it and disposing of it, as well as what it’s worth, and other common questions. I will also share my experience with the place that buys used motor oil near me.
Map of Who Buys Used Motor Oil Near Me
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What Qualifies as Motor Oil or Waste Oil?…
Used motor oil or waste oil is really any insulating fluid that’s been in use by machinery like an automobile, heavy-duty equipment, or another application to lubricate or transfer heat. When it becomes contaminated or reaches the end of its ability to perform effectively it is deemed used or waste. The next step is to establish proper and safe disposal via collection, processing, and reuse of it.
Who Buys Used Motor Oil Near Me?
Places that buy and/or recycle used motor oil are called Certified Used Oil Collection Centers and Oil Recycling Collection Centers.
There are many of these places in your local area like Jiffy Lube, Auto Zone, Advanced Auto Parts, O’Reilly Auto Parts, NAPA, waste management plants, pretty much any car dealership with a service center, machinist shops, etc. I honestly could go on and on with the amount of places that will accept used oil. Some of those places in select areas may buy up to 5 gallons at a time. Not all locations do it.
To understand who buys used oil, you must understand that companies like Jiffy Lube, for example, sell used oil themselves. They are collecting massive amounts of motor oil on their own and then they sell it. So buying your couple gallons of motor oil doesn’t make any difference to them, but they will happily take yours for free. If you have a lot of used motor oil, you want to find out who your local oil collection center sells to.
Some of the big motor oil buyers in the business are Safety-Kleen, Thermo Fluids, and Valvoline. These companies work at the corporate level and have used motor oil deals with smaller companies. They buy used motor oil in the hundreds of thousands of gallons.
How Much is Used Motor Oil Worth?
The going rate for used motor oil is determined by the daily oil barrel price. This is a traded commodity so the going rate fluctuates daily due to supply and demand. What drives the price of used oil is the large refineries and what they are willing to pay for it. They are the ones who use waste oil to make new oil-based and other kinds of products.
Another factor that determines the price of used motor oil is its condition. A light clean oil uncarbonized or scorched will go for more than some dirty black sump. Along with that factors like location, volume, oil type, and how complicated it is to pump will also be a factor. If it is complicated to get to where the oil is or it’s not located close to them, it may not be worth their time and labor.
With that being said, it’s common to see prices for the place that buys used motor oil near me to be $0.30 and $0.50/gallon. I have seen it change over the years. You can certainly find some local shops that will pay you for your motor oil at those rates.
For many companies that buy used motor oil near me, the minimum requirement is 150 gallons. If you want it pumped for free you must have at least 50 gallons for them to send a truck.
When Do You Get Paid?
Typically you will receive a check at the time of service.
How Do I Transport It to Sell It?
If you have a small amount (less than a gallon) that you are selling or disposing of you can use a clean, leak-proof container like a plastic milk container or an empty oil bottle. When you store it make sure the lid is on tight and it is in a cool dry place away from heat.
If you have a few gallons of used motor oil to sell or dispose of a clean 5-gallon bucket, becomes the next best option. Storage should be in a cool dry place with a lid tightly on the bucket.
For selling or disposing of large amounts of used motor oil, you will need to arrange for a truck to come to you and pump. This is where things can be more complicated. The complexity of the pump will impact the amount you will get for selling used motor oil.
The Environmental Benefits of Recycling Used Oil
Recycling used oil means reducing energy and using less natural resources. According to the American Petroleum Institute, if you recycle two gallons of used oil it can generate enough electricity to run the average household for almost 24 hours.
According to the EPA other benefits include:
- Keeping it out of the groundwater and contaminating the eco-system
- Less energy is needed to make 1 gallon of re-refined base oil stock than a base stock from crude oil.
- 1 gallon of used motor oil makes the same 2.5 quarts of lubricating oil as 42 gallons of crude oil.
What Happens to Recycled Motor Oil?
Many people think when used oil is recycled it goes right back into a vehicle. Only clean oil can be put into an engine. That doesn’t mean though it is unusable. Once it is re-refined it can make heating oil, lubricants, asphalt, raw materials for the refining industry, and other petroleum-based products.
Before waste oil can be reused it must be re-refined. Re-refined oil must meet the same standards as virgin oil used in the auto industry. Tests and studies have been done to prove that re-refined oil can perform at the same level and even outperform virgin oil. There are instances where for example automotive motor oil is recycled and ends up re-refined as automotive motor oil. When this happens it’s the perfect recycling loop.
Who Buys Used Motor Oil Near Me – Conclusion
Local shops like mechanics, auto parts stores, machinists, and the like may be interested in your used motor oil. Not all are buyers and you need to call and ask. It will depend on how much you have and what the location is in order to do business. There are some places that set up special drops at specific locations at specific times of the year. This is what I have learned from the place that buys used motor oil near me.
FAQ Section: Who Buys Used Motor Oil Near Me
What can I do with my used motor oil?
Used motor oil can be recycled and reused. There are various ways to dispose of it responsibly. One option is to find a local waste oil heater or oil recycling collection center.
Who buys used motor oil near me?
Used motor oil can be sold or recycled by various entities, including waste oil heaters, oil recycling collection centers, and used oil collectors. Local car repair shops might also accept used motor oil.
What are waste oil heaters used for?
Waste oil heaters are commonly used for space heating, heating water, or generating steam. They are a cost-effective and sustainable way to use used motor oil as a heat source, reducing the need for other fuels like natural gas.
Why is engine oil considered a valuable resource?
Engine oil is considered a valuable resource because it can be recycled and reused. Properly recycled used motor oil can be re-refined into base oil, which is used to make new engine oil and lubricants, reducing the demand for new crude oil.
Do used oil collectors purchase used motor oil from individuals?
Yes, used oil collectors often purchase used motor oil from individuals, businesses, and automotive service centers. They collect the oil and transport it to recycling facilities.
