I have to replace my lower radiator hose but i've talked to a few parts stores and the local police and no one can tell me what to do with used coolant. I know the stuff is terrible for the environment where do I need to take it?

 

you should be able to take it to almost any parts store. Up at advanced auto parts we have this huge container for hazardous liquids (mostly used oil), but im pretty sure we take coolant also (just started couple of weeks ago). there might be a small disposal fee of like 10 cents. if they wont take it try the local recycling yard.

 

It was either our local Kragen or Autozone that told me they accept all automotive fluids in their tank, so I don't worry about it, they get it all.

Does anyone know for sure, I heard that it was ok to pour used antifreeze down the toilet / city pipes because it will get treated somehow as opposed to pouring in the gutter which goes strait to the ocean which we know is wrong.

 

DO NOT poor anit-freeze down the toilet!! Used anti-freeze should be taken to a shop that handles radiator repairs or radiator flushing. They will have the proper facilities to dispose of it.

 

Thats kinda funny because a few years back we had a hard cold winter (Minnesota) and the city told us that we can poor it down the sinks and toilets to help from freezing are drain lines and city sewers.


Hmmmm I wounder.........

 

Call a few junk yards

They may take it. They are requied to "dispose of it properly" I see the EPA trucks at scrap yards by me all the time, so I am sure they keep an eye on coolant just as they do oil and such.

I have heard that some auto repair chains use re-cycled coolant when they do flush and fill service. Maybee if you call a few of the big guys like Firestone, Goodyear etc they would be able to take it.

 

In addition to what's already been mentioned it couldn't hurt to call your local municipality and ask them, they may have a recycling/reclamation center.

 

antifreeze is not considered hazardous but poisonous waste. its posts a threat to animals and humans but doesn't really affect plants or anything. the reason why its considered bad for animals is cuz its glucose based and tastes sweet like sugar to animals. thats why the dumb things will lick it up if they see a puddle of it somewhere. and you're not supposed to mix antifreeze and oil since it makes it more expensive to get rid of.

 

Antifreeze, unlike oil. mixes with water of course. So pouring it down the drain will dilute it about a million to one and render it harmless. No worse than your urine after a night on the town I'd guess. I'd think Clorox is a worse chemical than Prestone.

 

its good to see you're concerned about it.. lol


DONT dump it in untreated water supplies (runoff areas, gutters, ect...) basically, if its made to handle rain/river/ect water, dont put it in there.

if you have one:
DONT dump it in your septic tank.. lol.


it is ok to dump it in the toilet.. the waste is contained until it gets to a treatment plant, and they safely remove it with everything else...

 

I've changed my coolant once before to replace the temp sensor and held onto coolant for about a month until my dad told me to just dump it down the toilet. I did and figured that the treatment plant would take care of it but thought that there would be a better way to take care of it. I guess that's what I'll do when i replace my lower rad hose. Thanks for all the suggestions. It's sad though that i called the local police and municipality and no one could give me a straight answer... i guess they're not really worried about amatuers dumping it down the sewers...

 

Local sewer district told a bud of mine a household can dump as much as a gallon a day down the sewer system. Go figure how they came up with that number.

 

Here in the Silicon Valley, there are programs with the municipality. It goes under the guise of "household hazardous waste". That includes disposal of automotive fluids (separately contained), paints, solvents, flourescent bulbs (yes they are hazardous because of the gas contained within), aerosol cans, batteries, etc. Call whomever bills you for garbage pickup and ask about recycling and disposal of hazardous waste.

 

At our work, we just flush coolant down the drains in the floor.

 

Some cities let you dump it down the sink drain. Mine does, I just take it in and dump it in the bathroom sink. Do NOT dump it outside in a creek or a storm drain.

 

Why?

 

septic tanks depend on bacteria to work... dumping things like antifreeze, oil, gas, chemicals, is a bad idea because it can kill the bacteria.. either directly, or indirectly.. i wouldnt suggest trying it unless you like messing with septic tanks. lol

 

Good call.

 

*edit* double post

 

Yup, and it will eventually make it's way into your groundwater through your drain field also.

 

Jiffy lube and other quick lube places will take them easily. Just drop them off

 

Once it's in your ground water, your well can pick it up, then you can have water like Los Angeles in your shower and bath with a nice rainbow sheen to it!! Please, take it to a reclamation facility!!