In 1987, the price crashed and site owners had to pay 10 to 35 cents per gallon to get used oil hauled away. For now, oil collection tanks are provided as a public service at some expense to the people who own them. Running used oil through a landfill is an expensive process that wastes a valuable resource, could cause pollution, and accomplishes nothing. That's why putting used oil in a landfill is against the state's recycling law. At its worst, oil clogs plant machinery and may cause an unscheduled shutdown.
Repairs are an expensive and avoidable use of taxpayer dollars.
The effect is similar when oil is poured down a drain that leads to a septic system. The oil can hinder or stop the biological processes that make the septic system work. Pouring oil down a storm sewer is illegal. Many municipalities have ordinances that outlaw such burning. Use of such facilities is expensive.