USED OIL MATERIALS RECYCLING PROGRAM
Eligible Products and Fees
The environmental fees Albertans pay when purchasing new lubricating oil and oil filters, ranging from $0.05 to $1.00, are used to help fund the cost to recycle them. There are a number of recycling depots (collection sites) in the province where you can take your used oil materials so they can be recycled in an effective, secure and environmentally safe manner.
- $0.05 per litre
- $0.05 per litre of container size
- Less than 203 mm (8") in length - $0.50
- 203 mm (8") or larger in length - $1.00
More Detailed Information
For more detailed information please see the current Products, Definitions and Fees, published January 1, 2022.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
From the backyard mechanic to businesses or municipalities with large fleets of vehicles, every drop of used oil, every container and every filter that is captured in the Program for recycling helps keep our landfills and waterways safe from contamination. In 2021-22 alone, Albertans recovered 78.05 million litres of used oil, collected 3.98 million kg. of oil filters, and 2.11 million kg. of oil containers.
If you or your business have larger quantities of used oil, filters, or containers, e.g., more than the quantity allowed by your local collection site, which is often 20 litres of oil or 20 oil filters, please contact a local Registered Processor to arrange collection.
Lubricating oil, e.g. automotive oil, oil filters, and oil containers.
High-quality used lubricating oil, e.g. automotive oil, is re-refined into new lubricating oil. Lower-quality used oil is processed into a fuel that can be used by pulp mills, cement plants, asphalt plants, and other industrial applications.
Oil filters are crushed (with the residual oil captured) and processed by a metal recycler for manufacturing into construction materials such as rebar and pipe.
Plastic oil containers are pelletized and used as feedstock for products such as new containers, guardrails, fence posts, and railway ties.
Stay tuned to our What's New page for updates on the dates of Recycling Events in Red Deer.
No, Alberta’s used oil materials recycling program exclusively helps fund the collection and processing of lubricating oil, e.g., engine oil, oil filters, and oil containers only. Please consult with your local municipality on how to safely handle cooking oil, fats, grease, and other household waste.
High-quality used lubricating oil e.g. automotive oil can be refined into new oil. Lower-quality used oil can be processed into a fuel that can be used by pulp mills, cement plants, asphalt plants, and other industrial applications.
Oil filters and metal oil containers can be crushed and processed by a metal recycler to make construction materials, including rebar and pipe.
Plastic oil containers have a large number of uses. They can be turned into new containers, railway ties, fence posts, patio furniture, and much more.
Used lubricating oil, e.g. automotive oil, is considered hazardous waste. Rather than contaminating our waterways and land, it can be collected, processed, and put to good use through recycling.
Oil filters and containers are valuable products. Rather than sending them to landfill, they can help fuel our economy and be transformed into valuable new products.
If your used lubricating oil, e.g., automotive oil, contains water, antifreeze, paint, solvent, or any other materials then it is contaminated. Contaminated used oil is not accepted as part of Alberta’s used oil materials recycling program, and should be treated or disposed of as per Alberta laws. Your best treatment or disposal option depends on the type of contamination. If you believe that your used oil is contaminated, then please contact a local Registered Processor, a hazardous waste management company, or your local municipality for information about how to dispose of it safely.
Environmental Fee Info
The environmental fees Albertans pay when purchasing new oil materials help fund the cost to recycle them.
Albertans are some of the most dedicated recyclers in the world. Since 1997, Albertans have recycled over 1.9 billion litres of used oil.
- High-quality used lubricating oil e.g. automotive oil is re-refined into new lubricating oil. Lower-quality used oil is processed into a fuel that can be used by pulp mills, cement plants, asphalt plants, and other industrial applications.
- Oil filters are crushed (with the residual oil captured) and processed by a metal recycler for manufacturing into construction materials such as rebar and pipe.
- Plastic oil containers are pelletized and used as feedstock for products such as new containers, guardrails, fence posts, and railway ties.
