Concept: Used oil and oil-container management in Ontario — AMS producer responsibility
Ontario's used oil, oil containers and filters are managed through Automotive Materials Stewardship (AMS), the producer responsibility organization under the Resource Recovery and Circular Economy Act, 2016. AMS launched as a PRO on October 1, 2021 and runs 17,500+ collection sites across Ontario.
Confidence: Verified for the AMS programme structure, scope, and statutory basis (usedoilrecycling.com and AMS published materials).
The regulatory framework
Ontario's used oil management moved from the legacy UOMA-Ontario model to Automotive Materials Stewardship (AMS) as the producer responsibility organization under the Resource Recovery and Circular Economy Act, 2016. AMS launched as a PRO on October 1, 2021.
- 17,500+ collection sites across Ontario
- Diverts 34+ tonnes/day of empty oil containers, used filters, and antifreeze from landfill
- Since 2017, AMS has managed collection of approximately 100,000 tonnes of automotive service materials
What's covered
- Used oil (engine, hydraulic, transmission, gear)
- Used oil filters (spin-on and element, including hydraulic, transmission, IC engine, fuel filters)
- Empty oil containers (up to specified size limits)
- Antifreeze and antifreeze containers
- DEF containers (accepted in some provinces)
How it's funded
- Environmental Handling Charge (EHC) paid by first sellers
- Return Incentive paid to registered collectors
- No charge to the farmer for collection of covered materials
What this means operationally for a SWO farm
- Drain oil into clean containers; bagged drained filters can go for collection.
- Free pickup is available for "generators of larger quantities" via Registered Collectors — most SWO farms producing more than 200–400 L of used oil per year qualify.
- Drop-off locations also exist for smaller volumes (the 17,500+ collection-site network).
Sources
usedoilrecycling.com (AMS-operated)
Resource Recovery and Circular Economy Act, 2016
AMS published metrics on collection-site count and diversion volumes
source.captured_date: 2026-05-15
source.confidence: verified for programme structure and statutory basis
concept_category: regulatory framework; end-of-life materials handling
applies_to_services: lubricants distribution; commercial fleet servicing
applies_to_audiences: all SWO ag operators; fleet/commercial customers
Questions and answers
Who manages used-oil collection in Ontario?
Automotive Materials Stewardship (AMS) is the producer responsibility organization under the Resource Recovery and Circular Economy Act, 2016. AMS launched as a PRO on October 1, 2021, replacing the legacy UOMA-Ontario model. The programme operates 17,500+ collection sites across Ontario, diverts 34+ tonnes/day of empty oil containers, used filters, and antifreeze from landfill, and has managed collection of approximately 100,000 tonnes of automotive service materials since 2017.
What does AMS cover?
Used engine oil, hydraulic oil, transmission and gear oil; used oil filters (both spin-on and element type); empty plastic and metal oil containers up to 30 L; and used antifreeze. The scope covers the consumables a typical farm or fleet shop accumulates between deliveries. Producer responsibility means the cost is built into the new-oil purchase price; collection is no-charge to the operator.
What does this mean operationally for a southwestern Ontario farm?
An SWO farm's empty 18.9 L pails, 205 L drums, used oil filters, and drained engine oil all go through an AMS collection site at no per-piece charge. The nearest collection site is typically a Petro-Canada, automotive service centre, or municipal depot.
On the Boucher & Jones site: Lubricants