coolant disposal

I replaced my coolant a week ago and now I need to get rid of it. I thought I'd take it to advance auto, they don't take it, neither does napa or autozone. I went to my mechanic and he said to dump it down the drain. I was shocked, he said when he first started working there he was shocked as well. He said he called the water authority and they said it was fine to do that. He then said there were no regulations against doing so. I can't believe that, but I do trust him. His words were that the people he talked to on the phone said it was fine.

However, I'm not going to put it into the drain, but I'd like to know who takes this stuff? Who takes this stuff?

marc

I know some cities will have a hazardes waste drop off site certain times a yaer. Call whoever picks up your recycling/garbage and they should be able to tell you.

I dump mine down the toilet. Dilution is the solution ....

My suburban community has hazardous waste drop off every January and July. I have heard that it is permissible in some areas to dump it in the sewer, but I'd never do it. I searched online for an answer and couldn't find a solid consensus. This stuff can be recycled, can't it?

My suburban community has hazardous waste drop off every January and July. I have heard that it is permissible in some areas to dump it in the sewer, but I'd never do it. I searched online for an answer and couldn't find a solid consensus. This stuff can be recycled, can't it?


I thought it would be easy to recycle, but I'm not finding anyplace so far. I was under the impression that it was extremely wrong to dump it in the sewer system, but the more I look and ask around, it seems like it's not. I'm not sure. I'd still rather recycle it though.

quick google search on disposal (http://autos.yahoo.com/maintain/repairqa/fluids_heat_air_conditioning_general/ques012_1.html)

In this article it says the coolant is biodegradable, but still harmfull because of the lead it picks up in the cooling system. It also says in many areas it is acceptable to dump it down the toilet, as long as it is a small amount(3 gallons or less). Interesting, but I'd still like to recycle it.

marc

I wonder what places like Jiffy Boob does?

I wonder what places like Jiffy Boob does?


In that article it talks about machines that replenish the fluid for reuse. Maybe that is one option. Although, I don't like that idea for my Rodeo. I'd rather have brand new coolant.

Most municipalities approve of dumping/flushing waste ethylene glycol coolants (residential quantities) into the sanitary sewer system. You dont want to dispose of it in a storm sewer or septic system. FWIU, the biggest threat is lead contamination from the metals in automotive cooling systems. Marc, in your situation, I'd just flush it. With my ~50yr old septic system, I bottle it & drop it off (after hours :naughty: ) at unsuspecting kwiki-loob locations.:uhoh: :rofl:

Joel

The community hazardous waste pick up is the only way you'll find to get rid of it other then dumping it down the drain. I looked all over denver for someone to take it and nobody would. I had it in old milk jugs in the back of my pickup. After a while it eventually all leaked out with the jugs rolling around in back then I didnt have to worry about it any more. It was just spread out over many miles of denver after that.

You could always do a drive by dumping in an apt complex dumpster but the city sewer system is the best bet for it to be cleaned up.

Macre, I was in a similar situation last year. I had 4 large jugs of Honda coolant and no way to dispose of it. NO one wanted to take it. Shops that had the recycling machine wanted to charge me. So I took it to a radiator ship. They have the huge vats of coolant for radiator testing. The guy there said he would use some of it or just dispose of it properly. Heck, it was free, but took about a month to find an acceptable option.

LoL..I had to laugh at Gizmo's line about dumping it at an apartment complex. I see it all the time, but it's usually motor oil or paint. I'll see guys in paint vans at 5:30 in the morning dumping paint.

I think it's just going to go down the drain. I feel more comfortable about that now that I read it is "acceptable" in many areas and it's biodegradable. It's ashame people dump oil, around here all places take it back hassle free. That stuff is a real hazard.

marc

Same problem we've run into a hundred times; no one would take it, which is one reason why we stopped doing our own radiator flushes. Not only that, we have 3 dogs that are in/out of the garage and although we're good at keeping it out of reach, you just never know.

This past year though, in which we had a lot of radiator hose failures on two different vehicles, we ended up flushing a lot of coolant down the toilet.

We were contemplating on if we should do the radiator flush on our diesel, or just take it to a shop and let them deal with the green stuff.

FWIW I used my last batch to get rid of a pesky ground hog making a home along side the walkway around my pool. Just poured about 1.5 gallons down the hole. Hopefully it will do the trick, I figure it will get all over his fur and when he goes to lick it off, problem solved.

-Phil

Fantastic for the kids running around the pool too Phil. :shakehead Ethylene glycol will break down over time, but it is toxic stuff.

Joel

Could lead to a Caddyshack ending, too!

Fantastic for the kids running around the pool too Phil. :shakehead Ethylene glycol will break down over time, but it is toxic stuff.

Joel

Except my pool is broken and won't be functional for 3 plus years... What self respecting groundhog would make a home next to a frequently used pool?

-Phil

Except my pool is broken and won't be functional for 3 plus years... What self respecting groundhog would make a home next to a frequently used pool?

-Phil

Thats true. Plus you wont have to worry about any pesky freezing & heaving around the pool this winter!
:grinyes:

Joel