Why's it so damn hard to dispose of coolant?

[Dr. Shuffles]

Parts stores have to accept used oil and batteries for recycling. But I can't find anybody at all who'll take coolant. Hell, I'm even willing to pay to have someone dispose of it properly, but nobody wants to do it.

The county dump accepts "household hazardous waste". But you have to come during the special period when they accept it, which is like 5 hours, once every two months. And fill out a bunch of forms to prove you're not an illegal alien or a terrorist. And I can't make it for the next event, cause I'll be out of town!

So my choices are either to have that shit sit on my front porch for the next 4 months, or flush it down the toilet. I really want to do the right thing here, but it's like they're deliberately trying to stop me.

[likwid2u]

so...................... if it leaks on the floor while driving is it illegally being dumped ?

[cbh23]

So... Find someone you live by you don't like... Dump it in there flowers.

[Ralphie]

I had this same problem in NYC.

I re did my system in my 2002 Accord and assumed since NYC is so green that I could just bring it to a parts store.

NOPE.

Not even gas stations.

NO ONE would touch it.

I called 311(NYC help line) and they said either local gas station or hazardous waste center.

Had no clue where the Hadardous waste center was and NO gas station would touch it.

My father in law said to try a Radiator repair shop nearby and sure enough they dumped it into a huge tank full of used anti freeze.

So my advice to you, is to look up a local Radiator repair place.

They HAVE to take it because they dispose of it when you bring your car for service.

[Tippey764]

Pour it into an oil container, bring it to a shop that accepts oil and tell them it's oil. That's what I did when I had a bunch of bad gas I needed to dispose of.

[Ralphie]

Pour it into an oil container, bring it to a shop that accepts oil and tell them it's oil. That's what I did when I had a bunch of bad gas I needed to dispose of.

That's fucked up.

That will only cause trouble for the shop if the company that collects it, catches on.

Im not going to tell you what to do or not to do, but that isn't right.

[deevergote]

I agree with Ralphie. Radiator repair shop, or even a dealership.
I have a bucket of coolant that's been sitting outside my house since 2007. I haven't even tried to dispose of it. I need to before the plastic cracks and it leaks into my yard!

You might be able to go to a local salvage/junk yard and do it there as well. No junkyard cars have full radiators.

[Sordz]

I don't know about a auto parts store but I know in my area I've brought used coolant to one of those drive through oil change places and they took it. Or a mechanic shop that does radiator flushes and oil changes should take it.

[xkjnboix]

so...................... if it leaks on the floor while driving is it illegally being dumped ?

x2

usually whenever i change fluids its late at night and everyplace is closed so i just bring it to their door step and they take care of it the next day. simple & easy

[bobbycos]

OR you can do this

the sanitation dept has the ability to deal with antifreeze/coolant that has spilled and gone into the storm drain system and/or sewer system

try flushing it down the toilet

here is a thought, when you pass away and the funeral home embalms you, what do they do with the blood that is flushed out of your body.

they flush it down into the sewage system

[Leung]

OR you can do this

the sanitation dept has the ability to deal with antifreeze/coolant that has spilled and gone into the storm drain system and/or sewer system

try flushing it down the toilet

here is a thought, when you pass away and the funeral home embalms you, what do they do with the blood that is flushed out of your body.

they flush it down into the sewage system

So what do i do with bad gas then? I've got a tank full pretty much in my accord that has been in there for... 3 or 4 years. I should have drained it and used it in my lawn mowers or something but i could never get a siphon to work from the refuel hole.

[deevergote]

There's a drain plug on your tank.

My CB has nearly 4 year old gas in it. It runs. I plan on adding good gas and just driving it. Maybe adding some heet to remove any water that might be in there. Once it's about empty, refill and do a good tuneup.

[bobbycos]

There's a drain plug on your tank.

My CB has nearly 4 year old gas in it. It runs. I plan on adding good gas and just driving it. Maybe adding some heet to remove any water that might be in there. Once it's about empty, refill and do a good tuneup.

the gas in my old malibu smelled funny (varnishy) so i disconnected the gas tank and used a mini pump to drain the remaining 5 gallons into a 5 gallon jug and got rid of it at a gas station i knew

[Ralphie]

Do not flush that shit down the fucking toilet.

Just because you never see it again doesn't mean that it is ok.

Yes, sanitation may be able to deal with it, but there is a reason why shops take that stuff.

It is NEVER to be mixed in with sewage etc.

If you want to know why, Google it.


And as far as embalming, some places may wash it down sewage drains but they are probably suppose to have a contract with a company that collects and disposes of RMW.

[bobbycos]

Do not flush that shit down the fucking toilet.

Just because you never see it again doesn't mean that it is ok.

Yes, sanitation may be able to deal with it, but there is a reason why shops take that stuff.

It is NEVER to be mixed in with sewage etc.

If you want to know why, Google it.


And as far as embalming, some places may wash it down sewage drains but they are probably suppose to have a contract with a company that collects and disposes of RMW.

basically all the shops around here wash the coolant down the drains but hold onto the oil. that is what i have seen for years, i will check it out further