Motor Oil

Used motor oil contains toxic substances that can contaminate our land, ground water and ocean. The County of Hawai‘i and the State Department of Health operate a program for the do-it-yourself person who changes their own vehicle's motor oil. Please take it to one of the locations below.

Unfortunately, at this time, empty motor oil containers are not recyclable at a global level. Research is being conducted to study how to remove oil from plastic, but is still in development. To avoid contamination of other recyclable plastic, empty motor oil containers need to be placed in regular disposal.

Another suggestion (thanks to a local resident!) is to let your used oil filter sit and drain the oil from the filter. Up to a quart of oil can be sitting in your oil filter, so maximize your recycling by draining the oil filter of old oil as well!

Commercial, Farm or Business Generators

For commercial, farm or business generators of used motor oil contact the following Used Motor Oil Collection Companies:

Unitek Solvent Services 935-8180 (islandwide service)
Hawaii Petroleum 961-2661 (islandwide service)
AKW Environmental 430-2339

Do-It-Yourself Used Motor Oil Generators

Acceptable materials are:

• used motor oil
• gear oil
• shock oil
• hydraulic oil
• transmission oil
• diesel

There is a 10 gallon limit from household do-it-yourself generators only.  Do not use bleach, antifreeze or pesticide bottles to transport your used motor oil as this will contaminate the oil.

Unacceptable materials are:

• any material from an automotive or mechanic business or from a farm
• gasoline
• water contaminated fuels or oils
• brake fluid
• solvents and thinners
• paints
• antifreeze
• anything mixed with oil

Save these materials and take them to a Household Hazardous Waste Collection event. For more information see Household Hazardous Waste.

Acceptable oils and diesel may be taken to the following locations during business hours. Do not leave materials unattended.

West Hawai‘i

• Kealakehe High School Building S
  74-5000 Puohulihuli Street
  895-6969 ext. 266
  School days only, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. 

North Hawai‘i

• Kar-tow Kohala
  Kohala, 889-1061
  Monday to Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
  Please call first.
• RPM - Kawaihae
  61-3638 Kawaihae Road
  Monday to Saturday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
  345-1839 Please call first.

East Hawai‘i

• Pa‘auilo Village Service
  43-1494 Hauola Road
  776-1542
  Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
• Big Island Toyota, Hilo
  811 Kanoelehua (Hwy.11), Hilo, HI
  Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.; Saturday 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.; (Closed Sundays)
  Call 969-3112 for specific details if needed

South Hawai‘i

• South Point U-Cart
  Prince Kuhio Street, Ocean View
  929-9666
  Monday - Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Closed for lunch from noon to 1:00 p.m.)
  Saturday, 7:30 a.m. to noon