automotive fluids recycling/disposal ????

hey,

so we all have to get rid of used fluids right?

oil is easy, take it to autozone or advance auto,

where in the hell do I take old antifreeze? or, what do I do with it?

tranny fluid, does it go with engine oil?

I have alot of old antifreeze form parts vehicles, or coolant system flushes, and I want to clean up the shop.

 

Tranny fluid goes with the oil. Anti-freeze is a little harder. We have a "home hazardous wastes" turn in once a month at the different recycling centers. I would check your local gov. website.

 

I carry my anti freeze to a local quick oil change center.No cost. They still have a vendor pick up for recycle. Rules are different in other states.

 

What about old gas. I add a little to my oil when I dump it at autozone. The guy always comes back and says I think your fuel pump is bad because your oil smells like gas.... I just smile and "Say oh really, I'll check it"

 

satin,

shhh dont tell anyone, but with my old gas, I start a bonfire. I am out in the country though. City people might not be able to do that.

 

Hey Smokin' Joe! Lets not tell them what we do with our fluids.

 

Do you have a local junkyard near you? I take my used coolant to them and they recycle it. I have also taken it to Midas and Monro Muffler for recycling. Just about anywhere that has a coolant flushing machine should be able to help you out.

 

Does this mean I should stop using the storm drain?

For old gas, add a few cups with every tank full of new gas. to your tank every time you fill up. Won't hurt your car any(as long as theres no emissions systems on it)

 

Here in the city area of O.C. Socal, we have autoparts stores for any oil. The oil is collected by a company that then sells it to the shipyards where they use it for crude diesel fuel in the ships.

What can't be present in the oil is gas, brake fluid, battery acid, coolant etc. For that, you can just ask around at auto repair shops. Radiator shops should be able to handle coolant. I just use 5-gallon buckets with lids.

Ironically, I helped a friend funnel his used oil into the old quart-containers yesterday (spilling oil all over the ground too). He then proceeded to chuck them all in the trash can. Idiot. To me, a 5-gallon bucket and a stop at a parts store is nothing, and I don't get oil all over the ground or mess up the ground water. Just makes sense to me anyway.

Back to the topic, check with your city or county hall, they should have a toxic waste disposal servise or system for residents (non-commercial sources). I think it's federal gov't (EPA) mandated.

 

Haven't done it myself but have heard from several sources that coolant can go down the toilet. The reasoning being that it gets treated anyhow. Even a fireman recommended it. This is of course if you've exhausted all the other methods.

Don't try this if you have a septic system.

Chris

 

A real traditionalist would use old motor oil on his DA. (That is a Duck Ass haircut to you young punks)

 

I'm a hazardous materials tech by trade... and can say that antifreeze can be disposed of into a sanitary sewar (any of the drains in your home if your hooked up to city sewar)... Doesn't even need to be the last resort. Most antifreeze jugs state right on the label that this is okay to do.

 

Makes me recall an old Hot Rod tech article in the mid '60's that detailed digging a hole in your yard, placing gravel, and standing a short section of terra cotta pipe upright to allow you to dispose of your used motor oil cleanly. I'm sure that's one they would as soon forget. Take oil to Autozone, etc. Our town has a fluid pickup once a year for old paint, insecticede, etc.

 

Old stale gas can be mixed with fresh gas and run in a lawnmower.

 

phil, someone posted a scanned picture of that a while back on here. I remembered that when I was starting this thread.

sometimes its good that we dont do things the old fashioned way anymore