Mixing used oil for dumping

RWEST · Nov 22, 2005

( Antifreeze, as others have said, are a NO NO. ) What DOES one do with used anti-freeze? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

arthr31 · Nov 22, 2005

You should check with your local auto-part stores, DOT, or transfer station about disposing of anti-freeze. In my town, I can either wait for hazardous waste day or pay for a local radiator shop to take some of my anti-freeze. Becareful of how you dispose of this stuff, it is highly toxic and smells sweet so animals and children are attracted to it, as are some adults... /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
-Art

oliver28472 · Nov 23, 2005

My local "convenience center" (dump) will take antifreeze and oil in the same container. The recycler separates it out.

RWEST · Nov 26, 2005

What I meant was, I wonder what the disposal guys do with it? Can it be burned? Is there some giant tank somewhere that keeps getting more and more full when the radiator shops and disposal guys bring theirs in? Are there barrels of it stored in some big limestone cave somewhere, like in the movies? There must be tens (hundreds? millions?) of thousands of gallons produced every year, so, the old stuff has to be going somewhere.

I remember seeing "Non-Toxic" on a jug of anti-freeze the other day. I think it was the stuff for RV/swimming pool winterizing. I wonder if there's a non-toxic version that will work in vehicles. It's a great idea if there is. The older I get, especially watching my great-nieces/nephews running around, I really wonder what improper disposal of things like regular anti-freeze, to say nothing of disposal of all the byproducts from the 'miracle' plastics and other such things being produced nowadays will do to the environment for them and their kids, y'know? I've read stories about guys who watched people spread used engine oil on the driveway to "keep the dust down", and remember years ago hearing my own Dad saying "what's all the uproar about oil spills - it came out of the ground in the first place?". They just didn't know.

( as are some adults )
Now that's just weird!! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

5030 · Nov 26, 2005

There is ethyline glycol and propoline glycol (I'm not sure if I spelled them right, but one is the ingredient in Serria Antifreeze and it's basically non-toxic in diluted form.

I tend to use extended life antifreeze in my vehicles. That way, disposal isn't an issue for 5 years instead of every 2. In so much as disposal, my employer takes all my used oil, they heat the shop with it and they also take my antifreeze. I believe they have it recycled and the additive package re-installed. Antifreeze, like motor oil don't wear out. It looses it's additive package and becomes contaminated with the byproducts of combustion. Antifreeze looses is additive package from heat cool cycles and impurities in the cooling system itself.

Remember "Prestoneitis is leathal to animals and humans" /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

RalphVa · Nov 28, 2005

A little bit of gasoline, kerosene and diesel in used oil should be no problem. These will just get distilled out in the recycling process. Stuff like brake fluid and anti freeze should not be included. However, I'll bet the smart recyclers have a way of handling the antifreeze, as it CAN get leaked into the used oil and would show up in some recycled oil.

Anti freeze (ethylend glycol anyway) is a problem. Around here, we have to take it to the dump. Not sure what they do with it. Shops that drain and refill your anti freeze will generally have their own machine to redistill it or will send it away for this. None of them around here will take it from private owners who do their own drains and refills.

I've switched to long life antifreeze and am going to 5 year drains and refills based on my own experience that the stuff doesn't significantly degrade in a 3-5 year period.

Ralph

SkyPup · Nov 28, 2005

It's ethylene glycol and propylene glycol.

Unfortunatley the endogenous alcohol dehydrogenase enzyme that all mammals have in their livers mistakenly detoxifies the ethylene glycol into an aldehyde and methanol.

Methanol (methyl alcohol) is poisionious to all mammals, including humans, since there is no inherent enzyme availiable in the liver to detox it for excretion.

SteveInMD · Nov 29, 2005

I used to work for a company that collected a wide variety of oil, fuels, and other chemicals for proper recycling or disposal.

It's really not a good idea to mix gas with motor oil. Gasoline vapor will build up in the air space in the motor oil tank. You could create a flammable or explosive condition that someone else wouldn't expect to be there. You could really hurt someone.

It's far better not to mix anything. You can easily create a mess that's much more difficult to get rid of than any of the parts themselves. Also, you will almost certainly ruin any chance for the material to be recycled. Contact your local or state government (maybe their department of environmental service, or similar) - they will help you find a way to handle each item. My county runs a program that will accept almost any hazardous material from a homeowner at no charge.