When ARMA assumed responsibility for the Used Oil Program in October 2018 after the dissolution of the Alberta Used Oil Management Association (AUOMA), the program was facing significant financial sustainability challenges. Since then, ARMA has been working diligently with collection sites, recyclers, and Alberta Environment and Protected Areas (EPA) on solutions to the ongoing challenges of the Used Oil Program.

With input from key stakeholders (including registered processors), an environmental fee adjustment was identified as an urgent need to support the sustainability of the collection, transportation, and processing network for the industry. These environmental fees have not been updated since 2011 and will align Alberta’s fees with those currently being charged by other jurisdictions across Canada. The adjustment will allow the program to provide increased support to the recycling activities of registered processors, municipal collection sites, and Indigenous communities.

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.