Pour the used motor oil into a clean plastic container that has a screw on lid so the oil won't leak. Plastic milk containers work well. Put the oil filter in a plastic bag. Then, on collection day, leave the oil and filter out at the curb with the other recyclables. Residents living in areas without curbside recycling service can take their oil and filters to one of 13 collection centers in Santa Monica.
Oil filters are a big pollution problem.
Most oil filters and the used motor oil they contain are ending up in landfills where they can leak and cause contamination. Yes, it is against the law to pour used motor oil on the ground, down the storm drain or down household drains. It is against the law to throw used oil and filters in the trash. Santa Monica has a weekly curbside recycling program which includes the collection of used motor oil and filters. It is open Wed-Sat from 8AM to noon.