Other fluid disposal

[jwx]

I see the thread about oil, but I have always wondered about other common garage chemicals? Like Coolant/anti-freeze, brake fluid(always threw it in with the oil, even at the dealership, but thats where we put the coolant too so idk), old gasoline, etc?

 

[JB740i]

Saw someone mention that the collection site has to pay big money when brake fluid is mixed with motor oil...I know I've got one bucket that has gear oil in it with brake fluid. Hopefully I didn't put brake fluid in any of my motor oil buckets...

Heard shops are getting over a buck a gallon for oil too. Maybe I heard that one here.

 

[jwx]

Yea, I've got the oil disposal figured out. I saw that about the brake fluid too, so I'm going to make sure I stop that now.

Gear oil is fine to mix with engine oil, right? They both are oil....

 

[FunfDreisig]

It really depends on how the recycled fluids will be used. Our local recycler says he's happy with a mixture of engine oil, gear oil and hydraulic fluid because he sells the stuff to a company that filters it for solids, then sells it as boiler fuel for large ocean going tankers. The tankers will apparently take anything that burns as long as it does not have enough solids to gum up their tanks, etc.

BTW I was emptying 11 gals of hydraulic fluid (1 change of tractor hydraulics) into the used oil hopper as he explained the details. I did ask first

I save the anti-freeze (poured back into the original containers*) until we have a local "hazardous waste recycling" day. Then I just recycle it with other household hazardous waste (e.g. paint, pesticides, etc.).

Funf Dreisig

*The rule at our "hazardous waste recycling" is that the label on the outside of the container must match what is on the inside. The don't even let you get out of your vehicle. They take it out of your trunk and sort it on the spot based on the label.

 

[66HertzClone]

Yea, I've got the oil disposal figured out. I saw that about the brake fluid too, so I'm going to make sure I stop that now.

Gear oil is fine to mix with engine oil, right? They both are oil....

No problem mixing the different lubes together, brake fluid again is a problem.

 

[Mr_fixit]

oil, gas, trans fluid, gear oil and small quantities of brake fluid is no problem for someone who has a waste oil burner.

 

[jwx]

Nobody knows what to do with antifreeze?

 

[FunfDreisig]

Nobody knows what to do with antifreeze?

See my post above. Many communities have "hazardous waste recycling" days several times a year. They will usually take several gallons of used anti-freeze as long as it is in the original containers.

Funf Dreisig

 

[Jiffycake]

My county has a hazardous waste center but it is on the other side of the county which is 30 miles away. I don't feel like driving that far on weekdays only, between 10am and 2pm (only time it is open) just for disposal of used antifreeze. It completely conflicts with work. Every 6 months I gather up all the fluids, put them in a xerox box, and leave it in the back room at autozone. I have been doing it for years and nobody has said a thing.

 

[brantjs]

Check your city/county regulations. The last two places I've lived allow antifreeze to be poured into a sanitary drain (just not a storm drain). I've disposed of it this way the past few times...just collect the drained fluid and maybe the first couple buckets while flushing, and pour down the kitchen sink while running the tap to help dilute some.

 

[jwx]

See my post above. Many communities have "hazardous waste recycling" days several times a year. They will usually take several gallons of used anti-freeze as long as it is in the original containers.

Funf Dreisig

I don't think anywhere I have lived have had those or anything like that. Pretty sure most people just keep it until they move and leave it behind or just dump it in the ground.

I also don't have any type of "hazardous waste center" apparently, with out driving to another county that is. The county website said to just flush it down a drain, which would work of I wasn't on a septic tank. The other option was kitty litter, and then wrap it with newspaper and bag it, then find a Class D landfill (which is says we have, just doesn't tell you where...) to dump it in.

Did learn some other pretty interesting disposal facts though, that pretty much match what I have read on the EPA website. Most liquid automotive chemicals can be "solidified" with kitty litter and just throw away, same thing for paint and paint thiner...