MOTOR OIL
Does AutoZone take used oil? Absolutely. In fact, the company collectively recycled 12 million gallons of old motor oil through fiscal year 2021 and it’s on pace to be even more this year. Old engine oil is collected at all locations nationwide, preventing it from entering waterways or being dumped onto the ground and contaminating the environment.
Are you wondering, “How does AutoZone recycle oil?” Here’s how it works:
- Collect your old engine oil after an oil change in a drain pan.
- Transfer the oil to a container you can close, like an old oil jug.
- Bring the oil to AutoZone where the oil will be transferred into a large container where it’s safely stored.
- A recycler picks up the old oil from the location when the large vessel is full.
You can take the old oil jug home with you, ready on hand for the next time you do a DIY oil change.
CAR BATTERIES
Inside your car battery, costly materials like lead can be recycled and reused to manufacture new products, even new batteries. When the time comes to replace your old battery, bring it to AutoZone. In 2022, more than 412,000 tons of old car batteries were recycled from the collective locations in the US.
How does AutoZone recycle batteries? When you purchase a battery, part of the purchase price is a $22 Refundable Core Deposit. This charge is an incentive to return your old battery to the location where you bought the new one where you’ll receive the core deposit back. It’s then sent to a recycler where it’s safely broken down into its various elements.
To dispose of a battery, these are the steps:
- Remove the battery from your car. Disconnect the negative battery cable first, then the positive cable. Remove the battery hold-down, then lift the old battery out.
- Transport your battery to an AutoZone near you. Ensure it isn’t cracked or leaking, then place the battery on a corrosion-resistant surface like a rubber mat in the back of your car to bring it back.
- An associate will take the old battery and issue your core credit. Simple as that.
With the “It Pays to Recycle” Program, you may also be eligible to receive a $10 gift card for bringing in any used car battery.
STEEL AND OLD CAR PARTS
Along with car batteries and old engine oil, AutoZone recycling initiatives include disposing of oil car parts and steel. In 2022, AutoZone recycled 17,000 tons of steel and 66,000 tons of used and worn-out auto parts. Rather than ending up in a landfill, these components will be sorted, refined, and often end up used in manufacturing new car parts and other products.
Some car parts like engines, transmissions, alternators, and brake calipers are remanufactured and
When you’ve completed your car repairs, contact your local AutoZone location to find out how and where to bring your old parts for recycling. Always fully drain and contain any fluids from parts before bringing them in for recycling.
CARDBOARD AND PALLETS
Carboard boxes, packing material, and pallets are all very necessary for safely transporting new parts from the suppliers and warehouses to the store or to your door. Instead of throwing away these materials, AutoZone recycles them for other uses.
Pallets are sometimes reused as shipping materials, while they can also be broken down into products like wood mulch, animal bedding, and wood heating materials. Cardboard boxes and packing materials are recycled for use in other paper products.
PLASTIC
Across our network, AutoZone recycled more than 1,000 tons of plastic in the past fiscal year. This is the type of recycling initiative that helps prevent microplastics from contaminating America’s rivers, lakes, and oceans, instead producing other products and containers – some of which might even be used for packaging the items you can purchase online or in-store at AutoZone.
At AutoZone, we take our environmental responsibility very seriously as we integrate energy-saving and emissions-reducing initiatives throughout our supply chain. When you have old car parts or engine oil to recycle, our associates would be happy to help.
