Revised On: Dec. 28, 2023 - 5:00 p.m.

Once used oil is generated, it must be handled in an environmentally responsible manner. A used oil generator has some choices. In general, facilities accept either:

• Large quantities of used oil (more than 55 gallons). Typically operations by transporters, transfer facilities, processors and marketers.
• Small quantities of used oil (55 gallons or less). Generally referred to as collection facilities and are classified as do-it-yourself (DIY) collection centers, used oil collection centers or used oil aggregation points.
  
  

DIY Collection Center

A DIY collection center is a facility that can only accept used oil from DIYers.¹ DIY collection centers are not required to register with ADEQ. Operators of this type of facility usually impose some restrictions, such as a 5-gallon limit, on DIYers who use their facility.

Although the DIYers who bring their used oil to a DIY used oil collection center are unregulated generators of used oil, the DIY collection center itself is a regulated used oil generator. Since DIY collection centers are not required to register with ADEQ, ADEQ does not maintain a list of these facilities. Typical examples of DIY collection centers include automotive retail stores and service stations that accept used oil from DIYers, but not from businesses.

Used Oil Collection Center²

A used oil collection center is a facility that accepts used oil from regulated used oil generators such as businesses, schools and municipal maintenance facilities. Although by law the maximum size of each individual load of used oil that may be accepted by this type of facility is 55 gallons, many such facilities impose a smaller per-load limit. This type of facility must register with ADEQ | Download Application >

A used oil collection center may accept used oil from DIYers. This type of facility is classified as a regulated used oil generator.

Used Oil Aggregation Point³

A used oil aggregation point is a facility that accepts used oil from satellite, field, or regional facilities that it also owns, operates or controls. Used oil aggregation points are not required to register with ADEQ. Since used oil aggregation points are not required to register with ADEQ, ADEQ does not maintain a list of these facilities.

This type of facility is classified as a regulated used oil generator. The maximum size of each individual load of used oil that may be accepted by this type of facility is 55 gallons. A used oil aggregation point cannot accept used oil from regulated used oil generators that are owned or operated by other entities, however, a used oil aggregation point may accept used oil from DIYers.

¹As defined in 40 CFR 279.30
²As defined in 40 C.F.R. 279 and per A.R.S. § 49-802(C)(1)
³As defined in 40 C.F.R. 279.32