ARTICLE 9. Used Oil Recycling Act [3460. - 3473.]

Cal. Public Resources Code - PRC 9.

in effect

Cal. Public Resources Code - PRC § 3460. Section 3460.

(a) As used in this article: (1) “Used oil” has the same meaning as defined in subdivision (a) of Section 25250.1 of the Health and Safety Code. (2) “Recycle” means to prepare used oil for reuse as a petroleum product by refining, reclaiming, reprocessing, or other means, in order to attain the standards specified by paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) of Section 25250.1 of the Health and Safety Code. “Recycle” does not include the application of used oil to roads for the purpose of dust control or to the ground for the purpose of weed abatement. “Recycle” does not include incineration or burning of used oil as a fuel. (3) “Board” means the California Integrated Waste Management Board. (4) “Person” means any individual, private or public corporation, partnership, limited liability company, cooperative, association, estate, municipality, political or jurisdictional subdivision, or government agency or instrumentality. (b) The amendments made to this section by Chapter 1123 of the Statutes of 1987 do not affect the validity of any existing regulations of the Department of Toxic Substances Control relating to the management of used oil blended or diluted with virgin oil or any partially refined oil product as a hazardous waste, and do not affect the authority of the Department of Toxic Substances Control to prohibit blending or diluting used oil with an uncontaminated product to achieve the standards for recycled oil, as specified in paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) of Section 25250.1 of the Health and Safety Code.

Cal. Public Resources Code - PRC § 3462. Section 3462.

The Legislature finds that almost 100 million gallons of used automotive and industrial oil are generated each year in the state; that used oil is a valuable petroleum resource which can be recycled; and that, in spite of this potential for recycling, significant quantities of used oil are wastefully disposed of or improperly used by means which pollute the water, land, and air and endanger the public health and welfare.

Cal. Public Resources Code - PRC § 3463. Section 3463.

It is the intent of the Legislature in enacting this article that used oil shall be collected and recycled to the maximum extent possible, by means which are economically feasible and environmentally sound, in order to conserve irreplaceable petroleum resources, preserve and enhance the quality of natural and human environments, and protect public health and welfare.

Cal. Public Resources Code - PRC § 3465. Section 3465.

The board shall conduct a public education program to inform the public of the needs for and benefits of collecting and recycling used oil in order to conserve resources and preserve the environment. As part of this program, the board shall: (a) Adopt rules, in accordance with subdivision (a) of Section 3470, requiring any person who sells to a consumer more than 500 gallons of lubricating or other oil annually in containers for use off the premises to inform purchasers by posting at or near the point of purchase the locations of conveniently located collection facilities. Such rules shall provide that in a county wherein 5 percent or more of the population, as determined in accordance with the latest Bureau of the Census information, speak a specific primary language other than English, the signs shall be in such other language, as well as English. (b) Establish, maintain, and publicize a used oil information center that shall explain local, state, and federal laws and regulations governing used oil and inform holders of quantities of used oil on how and where used oil may be properly disposed. (c) Encourage the establishment of voluntary used oil collection and recycling programs and provide technical assistance and, whenever possible, financial assistance, to persons organizing such programs. (d) Encourage the procurement of rerefined automotive and industrial oils for all state and local uses, whenever such rerefined oils are available at prices competitive with those of new oil produced for the same purpose.

Cal. Public Resources Code - PRC § 3466. Section 3466.

(a) The board shall prescribe guidelines for providing safe and conveniently located facilities for the deposit of used oil by persons possessing not more than five gallons at one time at no cost to those persons. (b) The improper disposal of used oil pursuant to Section 25250.5 of the Health and Safety Code is prohibited and is subject to penalties pursuant to Article 8 (commencing with Section 25180) of Chapter 6.5 of Division 20 of the Health and Safety Code.

Cal. Public Resources Code - PRC § 3469. Section 3469.

The board, and every state officer and employee, shall encourage the purchase of recycled oil products represented as substantially equivalent to products made from new oil in accordance with Section 3471.

Cal. Public Resources Code - PRC § 3470. Section 3470.

(a) All rules and regulations of the board shall be adopted, amended, and repealed in accordance with Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code. (b) The board shall coordinate activities and functions with all other state agencies, including, but not limited to, the Department of Toxic Substances Control, the Department of Water Resources, and the State Water Resources Control Board, in order to avoid duplication in reporting and information gathering.

Cal. Public Resources Code - PRC § 3473. Section 3473.

If any provision of this article or the application of it to any person or circumstance is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications of this article which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end the provisions of this article are severable.

Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026