One quart of used motor oil can contaminate 250,000 gallons of drinking water. That number shows up a lot in environmental literature, but it's worth letting it land for a second before moving on.
Texarkana sits on the Texas-Arkansas state line, and residents on the Texas side have a straightforward set of options for motor oil disposal. The city utility runs a dedicated drop-off. Three auto parts retailers accept it free. None of this is complicated, but the information isn't gathered anywhere in one place.
That's what this guide does. Everything here is verified against official Texarkana TX sources as of April 2026.
Why This Matters in Texarkana
Texas law prohibits dumping used motor oil on land, into storm drains, or into household waste. That's TCEQ — the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality — and the rule applies statewide. Texarkana TX is no exception.
Used oil filters are also banned from Texas landfills. A lot of residents don't know that second part. You change your oil, you've got the old filter and a quart of dark oil — both of those need to go somewhere other than the trash bin or the storm drain at the end of the driveway.
The good news: Texarkana has more free options than most Tier 2 Texas cities its size. You just need to know where they are and what each location will and won't accept.
Step 1: Prep Your Oil Before You Go
Every drop-off location in Texarkana has one non-negotiable rule: the oil must be pure motor oil. Nothing mixed in. That means no antifreeze, no transmission fluid, no brake fluid, no water. Once motor oil is contaminated with any of those, most facilities cannot accept it and the contaminated batch usually ends up in a landfill.
Store it in a clean, sealed, leak-proof container. An old plastic milk jug works. An empty motor oil bottle is better. The container does not need to be original — it just needs to close securely and not be made of glass.
For oil filters: let the filter drain into your oil container for several hours before dropping it off. Most facilities ask for a drained filter. Punching a small hole in the dome end while the filter is still warm speeds the process up.
Pure motor oil only. No antifreeze. No transmission fluid. No commercial quantities. Sealed leak-proof container. Drained oil filter if bringing one. Max accepted per visit varies by location — call ahead if you have more than 5 gallons.
Drop-Off Locations in Texarkana, TX
All locations below are verified against official sources as of April 2026. Hours and policies can change — call ahead if you're driving more than a few minutes.
| Location | Address | Phone | Hours | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Texarkana Water Utilities | 4000 S. State Line Ave, Texarkana, TX 75501 | (903) 798-3860 | Mon-Sat, 8am-5pm | Free | Residential only. Pure motor oil only. No filters, no antifreeze, no transmission fluid. |
| O'Reilly Auto Parts #707 | 3707 N. State Line Ave, Texarkana, TX 75503 | (903) 792-5795 | Mon-Sat 7:30am-9pm, Sun 8am-8pm | Free | Accepts motor oil, gear oil, transmission fluid. Call ahead to confirm filter acceptance. |
| O'Reilly Auto Parts #377 | 1802 New Boston Rd, Texarkana, TX 75501 | (903) 793-6920 | Call to confirm current hours | Free | Accepts motor oil and battery recycling. Call ahead — store was listed as Coming Soon as of April 2026. |
| O'Reilly Auto Parts #5815 | 4907 W. 7th St, Texarkana, TX 75501 | Call store | Call to confirm | Free | Accepts used oil and battery recycling. Call ahead to confirm oil filter policy. |
Last verified: April 2026 against Texarkana Water Utilities official site and O'Reilly Auto Parts store pages. Hours and policies are subject to change — call ahead to confirm before your visit.
What Curbside Won't Take
The City of Texarkana TX has a bulk waste program run by Waste Management. Residents get one cubic yard of bulk waste at curbside each week alongside their regular bins. Sounds useful — but motor oil, filters, tires, paint, and gasoline are all explicitly excluded from both curbside pickup and bulk collection.
Do not put used oil in your green household waste bin. Do not put it in the yellow recycling bin. Neither Waste Management nor the city will process it, and it creates a contamination problem for the entire load.
The drop-off options above exist precisely because curbside has this gap. Use them.
Other Options Worth Knowing
Quick lube shops. Many local oil change shops in Texarkana will take your used oil, especially if you're a regular customer. It is not a guaranteed service and they are not required to accept it, but it does not hurt to ask. Call ahead before making the trip.
AutoZone and Advance Auto Parts. Both chains generally accept used motor oil at most locations, similar to O'Reilly. Texarkana has locations for both. Call the specific store before going — oil recycling policies vary by location and are subject to local environmental regulations. Never assume a store accepts it without confirming first.
Antifreeze and transmission fluid. Texarkana Water Utilities will not take these. O'Reilly accepts transmission fluid and gear oil alongside motor oil at most locations, but antifreeze is a separate matter — O'Reilly's own policy states they cannot recycle antifreeze in stores. For antifreeze disposal, contact the TCEQ or check for a local household hazardous waste collection event. Bowie County occasionally runs HHW events — check the county website for dates.
Common Mistakes
Mixing fluids. Dumping antifreeze into the oil jug because it's convenient is the fastest way to turn recyclable oil into hazardous waste. Once mixed, no standard drop-off in Texarkana will accept it. Keep everything separate from the start.
Showing up at Texarkana Water Utilities with commercial quantities. Their program is for residential DIY oil changes only. The site explicitly states no commercial oil accepted. A landscaping company or small shop bringing in 20 gallons will be turned away. Commercial generators need a licensed waste oil hauler.
Using a glass container. Glass breaks. No drop-off location will accept motor oil in a glass container. Plastic jugs only, sealed tight.
Going to O'Reilly #377 without calling first. As of April 2026, that location was listed as Coming Soon on the O'Reilly store finder. Confirm before making the drive.
Tex's Take
Texarkana Water Utilities is the move. It's the only dedicated city-run program, it's free, it's open six days a week, and it's the only option that comes with an actual phone number backed by a municipal department. O'Reilly is a solid backup, especially if you're already on that side of town. But TWU is where Tex would go first.
The border city situation does create one genuine headache: if you live on the Texas side but are closer to an Arkansas-side store, that store's recycling policy may operate under different state rules. Stick to Texarkana TX locations if you want consistency. The state line here is not just a formality.
- Texarkana Water Utilities: free, residential, Mon-Sat 8am-5pm, pure motor oil only
- Three O'Reilly Auto Parts locations in Texarkana TX accept used motor oil free
- City curbside and bulk pickup do not accept motor oil — never use those bins
- Do not mix oil with antifreeze or transmission fluid before drop-off
- Texas law bans dumping used oil on land, in drains, or in household trash
- Call ahead before any visit — hours and acceptance policies can change
FAQ
Is it free to dispose of used motor oil in Texarkana, TX?
Yes. Texarkana Water Utilities accepts residential used motor oil at no charge at their facility on South State Line Ave. O'Reilly Auto Parts also accepts it free at their Texarkana TX locations. None of these require a purchase.
Can I put used motor oil in my Texarkana recycling bin?
No. The City of Texarkana TX's curbside and bulk waste programs explicitly exclude motor oil, filters, paint, and tires. Placing oil in either your green or yellow bin is against city policy and contaminates the rest of the load.
Does Texarkana Water Utilities accept oil filters?
No. Their program accepts pure motor oil only. No oil filters, no antifreeze, no transmission fluid. For oil filter disposal, O'Reilly Auto Parts is your best Texarkana TX option — call ahead to confirm the specific store accepts drained filters.
What happens if motor oil gets mixed with antifreeze?
Contaminated oil cannot be recycled at any standard drop-off in Texarkana. It becomes hazardous waste requiring a specialized disposal process. Keep all fluids in separate, clearly labeled containers from the start of your oil change.
Can a business dispose of used motor oil at Texarkana Water Utilities?
No. The TWU program is for residential use only. Commercial generators — shops, fleets, landscaping companies — need to contract with a licensed used oil hauler. Contact TCEQ or a local environmental services company for commercial options in Bowie County.
Is it illegal to dump motor oil in Texarkana, TX?
Yes. Texas state law prohibits dumping used oil on land, into waterways, storm drains, or household trash statewide. This is enforced by TCEQ. Violations can carry civil and criminal penalties.
Data Disclaimer: Drop-off hours, addresses, and acceptance policies are verified against official Texarkana TX city sources and O'Reilly Auto Parts store pages as of April 2026. This information is subject to change. Always call ahead to confirm before your visit. TexasRecycleGuide.com is not affiliated with any facility listed above.
About Tex
Tex is the pen name of Vinod Pandey, an environmental researcher who runs TexasRecycleGuide.com. Every guide is independently researched against official Texas city and county solid waste sources. No guesswork, no invented addresses.
Got a correction? Contact us
For related guides, see how to dispose of old paint and pool chemicals in Lubbock, TX and how to dispose of a refrigerator in Midland, TX.
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