Motor Oil and Gas
Automotive products often contain hazardous organic compounds. Used motor oil, antifreeze and gasoline also contain heavy metals such as lead and cadmium that are picked up during use.   Americans use nearly 1.3 billion gallons of motor oil, but less than one-half is reprocessed by recyclers.

Of Special Concern
Used motor oil harms aquatic life by killing organisms that fish rely on as a food source.  It is also difficult to remove it at the wastewater treatment plant.  One gallon of used oil can contaminate a million gallons of fresh water. 

Gasoline contains more than 200 different chemicals. One of those chemicals, benzene, is a known carcinogen.  Old gasoline might contain MTBE which was banned in California due to its ability to persist in water for decades.  These compounds are very hard to remove from contaminated sources.

Disposal
Pour used oil into clean, sealable containers, such as a plastic milk jug and bring it with the oil filter to the Western Placer Waste Management Authority’s HHW Facility or the Auburn Placer Transfer Station for recycling.  Many auto parts stores and service centers will also accept used motor oil provided it is clean and in a proper container.  Don't mix your used oil with other wastes like gasoline, antifreeze or paint. This will contaminate the oil, rendering it non recyclable. 

Gasoline and other fuel additives must be treated as hazardous waste and disposed of at the Western Placer Waste Management Authority.

Links
www.epa.gov/mtbe (EPA – MTBE information and links)
www.recycleoil.org (American Petroleum Institute – Oil Recycling)
www.ciwmb.ca.gov/UsedOil/Recycle.htm (CA Integrated Waste Management Board)