automotve fluids, what do you do with them?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,496
Likes: 6
From: springfield ohio
automotve fluids, what do you do with them?
After reading another thread it has got me wondering what most of
you do with your spent fluids like anti freeze and motor oil.
When I moved to the country a few years ago, next to a large
creek and a water well that my family and I drink from I do not
pour any of these onto the ground any more.
I have asked the local auto parts stores since they recycle oil,
what they do with anti freeze? They recycle oils but not anti freeze is
what I was told ,and one fellow said when he worked for a dealership
they use to pour it down the city sewer drain which makes no sense
because the water treatment plant dumps their waste, after treatment
into the river (the next towns water supply).
I have heard about how quick anti freeze will contaminate ground water
and was hoping you could share with me how you deal with these
situations because I find it to be a pain to get rid of these
non recyclable liquids.
Riggs.
you do with your spent fluids like anti freeze and motor oil.
When I moved to the country a few years ago, next to a large
creek and a water well that my family and I drink from I do not
pour any of these onto the ground any more.
I have asked the local auto parts stores since they recycle oil,
what they do with anti freeze? They recycle oils but not anti freeze is
what I was told ,and one fellow said when he worked for a dealership
they use to pour it down the city sewer drain which makes no sense
because the water treatment plant dumps their waste, after treatment
into the river (the next towns water supply).
I have heard about how quick anti freeze will contaminate ground water
and was hoping you could share with me how you deal with these
situations because I find it to be a pain to get rid of these
non recyclable liquids.
Riggs.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
I take my oils to the local center. They recycle or reuse it. Just a big tank to dump in the oil. I have a 5 gallon container and when it is full I just take it down there. For the antifreeze I was told tha tif you pour it down thedrain it is OK. They treat and retreat the water and add stuff, I don't knwo the full process but the water they discharge back into the rivers and lakes is probably cleaner than the stuff coming from the faucet. Check your local ordinance first. every state and town has their own way of dealing with waste. 
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,259
Likes: 2
From: MS
If you have city/county sewerage, just pour your antifreeze down your toilet. All of this black water goes to the treatment plant for processing and antifreeze is no problem for the plant to handle. The gray water (storm sewers, drains, etc) probably does not go to the plant so you would not want to dispose there. If you have a septic tank, then you would not want to do this and would have to seek another option.
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 82
Likes: 1
From: Portsmouth Virginia
I don't know about in Ohio but in V.A. most of the Autoparts places will take your fluids.
Advance, Napa, Autozone ETC.
Check it out they don't have a sign or anything but they have huge bin's in the back "FREE".
Some have only one bin I just put it all in, I figure they are going to process it anyway better than dumping it in a ditch!
Advance, Napa, Autozone ETC.
Check it out they don't have a sign or anything but they have huge bin's in the back "FREE".
Some have only one bin I just put it all in, I figure they are going to process it anyway better than dumping it in a ditch!
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,084
Likes: 14
From: Airdrie Alberta
I take all my spent fluids to the county recycling center.
Our Recycling center takes everything, oil, antifreeze, old paint, thinners, plastic, cardboard, compost, paper.
The place is always busy. I would not be dumping antifreeze in the drain since it is a toxic waste.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,496
Likes: 6
From: springfield ohio
I also recycle the oils at the local auto parts store but find it to be a pain
about the anti freeze I have found no source that will take the anti freeze.
Here is how I normally handle the disposal, I pour it it to a container of saw
dust or kitty litter to absorb all the liquid then I pitch it in the trash.
I will have to contact the country and see what they say. I have done
some research on the web and have found that in some areas it's a big deal
and in others it's not, I guess it's just depends on were you live.
Thanks to all that have replied and to those who may still.
Riggs.
about the anti freeze I have found no source that will take the anti freeze.
Here is how I normally handle the disposal, I pour it it to a container of saw
dust or kitty litter to absorb all the liquid then I pitch it in the trash.
I will have to contact the country and see what they say. I have done
some research on the web and have found that in some areas it's a big deal
and in others it's not, I guess it's just depends on were you live.
Thanks to all that have replied and to those who may still.
Riggs.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 3,363
Likes: 303
From: Lansdale 19446 PA
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Unmodified
St. Jude Donor '10-'11, '15, '19
I take all my old fluids to the shop where I get my cars inspected. They have one of those used oil heaters. A recycler picks up the antifreeze.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 143
Likes: 0
From: Batavia IL
contact your county. There should be someone there who deals with recycling issues. If not, I would guess the highway department in your area could point you in the right direction. I'm pretty sure they are not dumping anything down the drain.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,336
Likes: 1
From: North Bellmore Ny
St. Jude Donor '09
Any automotive repair shop should take it for a small fee ofcourse. I take mine to my gereral mechanics he charges nothing for the oil and small charge per gallon on the other fluids.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,738
Likes: 2
From: San diego ca
go to your local Quikee lube or equivelant oil change place,, they also recycle antifreeze...normally they wont take your stuff, but it doesnt hurt to ask because some managers of these places want to get your business..and some are actually car guys.
I have been getting my oil changed and antifreeze recycled at the same jiffy lube now for almost 9 years...they allow me to go below the deck to inspect the work and take my antifreeze NQA (no questions asked) because I'm a good customer...
Its also cool because these guy fall all over themselves to work on my car when I pull in, they told me several times after endless streams of SUV,s Buicks and other pedestrian cars its nice to get a cool classic in the shop.
I actually like letting these young guys (and occasionally gals) have a look over the car and do these simple maintenance tasks.
I have been getting my oil changed and antifreeze recycled at the same jiffy lube now for almost 9 years...they allow me to go below the deck to inspect the work and take my antifreeze NQA (no questions asked) because I'm a good customer...
Its also cool because these guy fall all over themselves to work on my car when I pull in, they told me several times after endless streams of SUV,s Buicks and other pedestrian cars its nice to get a cool classic in the shop.
I actually like letting these young guys (and occasionally gals) have a look over the car and do these simple maintenance tasks.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 26,545
Likes: 46
From: Huntersville NC
In New Jersey we had a recycling place for oil at the town dump. Antifreeze we had to take to the special hazardous waste recycling dropoff place once each quarter.
However, I have researched antifreeze disposal, and your typical municipal sewage treatment plant can handle antifreeze, so flushing it down the toilet is ecologically sound. (It will be a 50/50 or less mixture anyway). However, some cities do not permit disposal of antifreeze this way, probably using the logic that if EVERYONE flushed their antifreeze down the toilet it would overwhelm the system. So, you have my blessing but it may still be illegal in your locale. But, down the TOILET! NEVER dump it in the sewer (ie storm drain).
However, I have researched antifreeze disposal, and your typical municipal sewage treatment plant can handle antifreeze, so flushing it down the toilet is ecologically sound. (It will be a 50/50 or less mixture anyway). However, some cities do not permit disposal of antifreeze this way, probably using the logic that if EVERYONE flushed their antifreeze down the toilet it would overwhelm the system. So, you have my blessing but it may still be illegal in your locale. But, down the TOILET! NEVER dump it in the sewer (ie storm drain).
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 3,047
Likes: 124
From: Wichita KS
Take it to our local hazardous waste facility. In addition to automotive waste materials, they take other HazMat items.
They recycle many items, for example paint. If you are not too fussy about color (they always have 5-7 colors to choose from) you can get house paint for free.
You just drive in to the facility and drop it off.
They recycle many items, for example paint. If you are not too fussy about color (they always have 5-7 colors to choose from) you can get house paint for free.
You just drive in to the facility and drop it off.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,652
Likes: 80
From: Lakeland Florida
I buy my oil in the 5 quart containers, its cheaper that way, and I have a good method of transporting the oil back to the parts store for disposal. In San Jose I go to Autozone, and they take the oil.
For the antifreeze I dispose of that at the HHW-Hazardous Household Waste pickup location. I dont dispose of it in any other mannner. Glad to see that there are others that are helping out with the environment and concerned about this too.
kdf
For the antifreeze I dispose of that at the HHW-Hazardous Household Waste pickup location. I dont dispose of it in any other mannner. Glad to see that there are others that are helping out with the environment and concerned about this too.
kdf