Depending upon your location, you may not be able to do this and get "free" recycling of the oil. For instance, in Mass., retailers are required to take back the oil they sell. However, the policies of the retailers vary. Wal-Mart will only take back the oil in the original containers (an oil bottle,
not necessarily the same oil bottle
). AutoZone (or whatever they're calling themselves this week) would only take the oil in bulk, so they'd just drain it out of the
single container you give them and then hand that container right back to you - as a result, I just use a resealable drain pan (which they sell) to drain the oil into and then transport it back to the store.
Bottom line, to save yourself a hassle, be sure to call or ask ahead to know what the policies/regs are in your area.