Why Recycle Used Oil and Antifreeze Materials

Why Recycle?

Used oil is Canada’s single largest source of potentially hazardous material if not managed properly.
Used antifreeze is toxic to people and animals.
Used oil filters may contain residual used oil and take up valuable landfill space if dumped.
Used plastic oil/antifreeze/Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) containers and pails take up valuable landfill space if dumped and take forever to decompose. Burning gives off dangerous toxins.
For EHC applicable products designated by each province for recycling, click here.

For small generators of used oil materials (farmers, small businesses, Do it Yourself mechanics), there are hundreds of year-round EcoCentres and collection points across the nine provinces.
For larger generators of used oil materials, registered collectors can come to your site, farm, place of business and take the material to a registered processor.

Used oil is reprocessed into re-refined lubricating oil, industrial burner fuel and other products.
Used antifreeze is reprocessed back into reusable antifreeze.
Used oil filters are processed into structural metal shapes for the manufacturing of industrial and agricultural products.
Used plastic oil/antifreeze/DEF containers and pails are recycled into industrial posts, railroad crossings, plastic pipe and new containers. Plastic 20-litre pails may also be refilled with bulk lubricants, or cleaned and re-used for a wide number of applications.
No used oil or antifreeze materials recovered under Canada’s provincial UOMA programs go to landfills. In most provinces, used oil is not spread on roads.