Used Antifreeze Disposel

Brent

So, that leaves the decision on what to do with it up to the states and lower juristictions.

Worse case, it simply gets dumped into landfills or the waters via sewage treatment. This can be exactly what the collection site does, legally.

Some of the companies do actually recycle it. As in filter the heck out of it and put it back in a bottle. The military uses this almost exclusively. You do see it marketed, but I don't know what the sales of it are.

Others take it chemically treat it, converting it into other products for additional uses, or straight disposal.

Never been to Savana, heard it was nice.

How about Montross, Va??

I can't get the search engine on Virginia's Department of Environmental Quality to work, and I can't find what I'm looking for by surfing their site. Nor can I get a good lead on a specific company or location. But, the guy listed above is apparently in charge of all recycling in the area of Montross, so he should know where you can go.

I also think you've got a "clean marina" program in Virginia. If so, any of the marinas under it should take used antifreeze.

I can't get the search engine on Virginia's Department of Environmental Quality to work, and I can't find what I'm looking for by surfing their site. Nor can I get a good lead on a specific company or location. But, the guy listed above is apparently in charge of all recycling in the area of Montross, so he should know where you can go.

I also think you've got a "clean marina" program in Virginia. If so, any of the marinas under it should take used antifreeze.

Link
This is the web address for your state Department of Environmental Quality, Environmental Assistance. It's got a number of links to various recycling sites for your area.

Link
This is for your local landfills. It looks like they take used anti-freeze, as well as many other chemicals, free of charge, for residents. It's got the phone numbers to call.

In going through the reclamation process, the water will be driven off safely. The hydraulic fluid, if it's oil based, is simply an oil.

This all drives up the cost of reclamation and recycling, but it does get the materials gathered together and disposed of. And in a manner far superior to what many people feel forced to do; dump it down the drain, in the back yard, etc.

Brake fluid, now there's a challenge! I've never resolved that one myself. I end up mixing it into my motor oil and turning in the mix. Although I'm gradually coming to understand it's more like anitfreeze then anything else.

Thanks for all you have contributed to this board. You are a valuable resource.

Lou[NE]

This is one of the best I've ever found. The first two selections at the top of their page are what you want to use to find out where to dispose of things in your area.

We have a local landfill/transfer station run by a company called Waste Management. They generally seem ok but they stopped taking all "special" waste, including antifreeze, old paint, and used motor oil. I found a guy who heats a shop with used motor oil but I too have been unable to find a home for various other items. I want to do the right thing.

Norridgewock, ME

Thanks

Link

Link

Do you have septic or sewage treatment? If you have sewage treatment, you might get a recommendation to dump antifreeze down the toilet. This actually is a semi-reasonable sollution. The treatment plant can remediate the glycol (though not all do), and it dilutes the heck out of it. Much of pollution treatment consists of dilution. Storm drains are bad mostly because they don't do any dilution.

Burning waste oil for heat is real and does get done. I don't know what Maines regulations are on it. Again, that phone number should get you in touch with the government weenies that control that.

Remember, someone will drink that water downstream, maybe members of your family, members of this board, or me! Think about it.

On the other hand, about five or so years ago the local newspaper reported that used antifreeze should be dumped down a drain that connected to a sewage treatment plant.

The reason used antifreeze is classified as a hazardous waste is because it can contain lead and other substances from the engine.

Wisconsin's DNR has an article on the subject at this link. An interesting point is that in some places, you're SUPPOSED to put it down the drain.

You're right! I'm one of those government folks! I work for Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Water Pollurion Control Program.

Don't pour it in the drain nor bury it out back. If you don't take care of it, someone else will pay the price (maybe with their life).

Use your internet links and check out what antifreeze and brake fluid can do to you when injested. Not a pretty sight nor thought (cancer scares the XXXX out of me).

Taking care of a vital resource,

Charles Coatney
MO DNR

You and your counterparts around the country seem to disagree on what to do with used antifreeze.

I guess it's not surprising that the rest of us can't find out what to do.