What do you guys use to store used oil?
 

I'm trying to find ~5 gallon container to store used oil - leakproof obviously, sealed, and easy to transport. I'd like to avoid running back and forth to the auto store after every oil change.

What do you guys use?

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1353914203

Think this would work with a spout?

Your garbage/recycling guys don't have a system to pick it up? I put mine in empty milk jugs on the curb every week, and they pick it up as long as it's black, no water/coolant allowed. Very easy.

I've dreamt about luxuries like this, but unfortunately, this is CA.

I use an old gas can, clearly labeled 'Used Oil'.

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1353919652

Then once they are full i give it to people who have heaters that run off of used oils and what not. Or it gets dumped on the sand driveway up north to keep the dust down. Hey, i'm eco-friendly i like to give back to the earth.

THIS.

Up to 3 gallons are picked up every other week when they pick up "recycling" bin.

This is why we never discard our empty milk containers

LOLWUT?

I'm just 2 hours north of you in CA.

I use a used/empty 5 gallon hydraulic fluid bucket. It already has a sealed lid with a screw cap spout. Funnel that shit in and seal it up. Then when it's full, throw it off a cliff into a rock quarry and forget about it.....

The walmarts around here sell these containers for 3 or 4 bucks. I used standard 5 gallon buckets for a while, but pouring out a full one without making a huge mess is a pain and they're hard to seal well enough to not make a mess in the trunk while transporting. These walmart jugs don't have the same capacity as a 5gal bucket, but the convenience easily makes up for it.

RhinoGear Oil Disposal Can: Automotive : Walmart.com

here's where I store mine:

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1353942999

it came outa the ground so its only natural to go back in right? :giggle:

Refill the tar pits (or make your own, works for drowning mice and similar) :)

No pickup locally so I have oil jugs all over the place (it usually fits the container the oil came in).
Since I need to actively bring them to recycle or someone who still burns oil for heat, it will not happen, procrastinator as I am...

save all the washer fluid bottles, gallon jugs (not the thin milk ones) or buy some cheap jugs from McMaster. They're like 3-4 dollars each, which is why I suggest the washer fluid bottles. McMaster also has some bigger jugs with pour spouts for not too expensive.

Then get a hands-free jug funnel like this:
OilFiltersOnline.com Oil Funnel, Oil Change Funnel, Oil Filter Funnel

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1353944161

55 gallon drums.

This. I have 2 drums in the back of my garage that are full and bringing another one home from work this week. I drive 65K a year in my truck and an oil change on it is 14 quarts. We also have a couple regular track cars and chump cars that get their oil changed at the house, so my drums fill quickly.

I use a couple of 5 gallon buckets like shown in the first post...but with lids. I worked in a machine shop for a few years and took home a few that contained coolant/cutting fluid that was used in the big band saws and such.

They have nice lids with a spout, breathing hole, and integrated o-ring. They've survived 4-5yrs of running to drop off oil at O'Reilly's every two months without ever spilling a drop in the back of the wife's SUV when properly strapped down. The spout also makes it easy to pour into the big recycling container.

Ask a few local machine shops as they usually go out with the trash.

Akin to this:

http://www.prolong.com/eStore/images...cket_small.jpg

I drove a really shitty Camry for year and ended up with a surplus of empty 5 qt oil jugs. That was the obvious solution, no?

To use the Camry as disposal unit for oil used in proper machinery? Yes :)

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1353957024

5 gal kerosene can is perfect. Auto stores usually limit dumping to 5 gal at a time.

San Luis Obispo had a curbside waste oil service, and they even provided the containers. I bet SF has something similar.

I thought CA didn't do this. I need to check w/ WM about this service.

Thanks d00dz.

CA did do this, but it varies by locality.

I got my funnel when I called up and requested the service.

Two 55 gallon drums. When full I call a recycler and he comes out to my house, sucks it out and PAYS ME $.50 a gallon for it.

I'm also in CA and we had this back when we had WM. Curbside jug came with a bag for the filter too. Now we have BFI who are a bunch of bitches and won't give us the jugs anymore. They CLAIM to have the service, but I've called and asked for delivery about 4 times and they never drop them off.

Once again, The Hustler is full of win on this. I also use empty kitty litter jugs for my waste oil. As a Miataturbo member, you should already have the prerequisite kitty and thus empty jugs are inevitable.

My cat liter comes in cardboard boxes.

I reuse the jugs the oil comes in. Empty into car, pour used oil back in jug. Take it to the store and they take it back next time I buy oil.

neighbor's yard

Has anyone else had trouble getting AutoZone/Kragen/O'Really to accept 5g buckets of oil? I've had a few parts desk monkeys refuse to take them saying that their "policy" won't let them take 5g at a time. They never seem to have a problem with the giant kitty litter tubs though.

I pour it back in these and carry them back to the parts store a few times a year.

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1353978450

HOLY SHIT! I have curb side pickup!!! Thanks yous!

I just store it in the stream behind my house.

This. We run two 55 gallon drums and the main 150 gallon drum for the waste oil heater.

If you weren't in California, you'd probably be able to find a farmer who goes through 8-10 of those 5 gallon buckets a year between oil and hydraulic fluid. I just burnt 6-7 of them that were in perfect condition I found in the back of the barn.

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1355624939


I drink 3 a week, and don't throw them away. Oil changes covered for life.

If you have anyone who lifts and uses commercial whey, the Optimum Nutrition 5 pound containers are like my ex. They have a big mouth and hold whatever you put in em.

This right here.

We have a 300 gallon tank that an oil recycler gave us years ago for the exclusive rights to take the oil. They must have forgot about us or went under.

Our new recycler is paying us for the oil. I think it is a bit less than $.50 for us though. Damn you Stein. :vash:

Most auto parts stores will gladly take it these days. That old oil has value.

Same with most shops, especially toward the end of winter.

Sources:
American Petroleum Institute (API)
National Oil Recyclers Association(NORA)

oil storage...
 

milk gallon containers

I always pay someone else to change my oil. Costs about the same, and it's a dirty job with little reward... Besides if changed oil in hundreds if not thousands of cars, so I'm kind of over it.

This. Doing the oil on my Frontier is a HUGE pain in the ass. I save maybe 2 bucks if I do it myself.

I have do to the oil in the miata since there is not a lift low enough to get it up safely, and I'm barely lowered, haha.

You guys have clifffs in Alabama?

So yesterday I had a company come in and take some of our used oil. They sucked up 500 gallons and paid us $0.80 a gallon to do it!

They guy said the refine it and sell it back to oil companies.

Now I have some found money to play with and have a dozen drums to cut up and smash. :vash2: