Recycle used coolant? Where???

California · Mar 12, 2008

I took my used oil, filter, and coolant (less than a gallon) to Autozone for recycle. I think once before they told me dump the antifreeze into their waste oil bunker. This time the counter guy saw the antifreeze in a transparent jug and went nuts. "What the H*** is THAT!?!?!?!"

Thinking quick, I replied maybe was working in the wrong place if he didn't recognize it.

They won't take used oil filters either.

I saw a radiator shop and asked if they used one of those filter/recycle machines to reuse antifreeze. No. He took the coolant but said he has to pay to have it hauled away. Since it still looked new (after 4 years use), I suspect it will end up in a used car on a car lot somewhere.

What is current practice on recycling coolant and filters? Looking it up online, the current standard is nothing into the dump, the coolant and filters have to go to a proper specialty recycle operation.

Where?

DirtHauler · Mar 12, 2008

Don't know if you have curbside trash pick up where you are but if you call your collector (Northbay or who ever) and request them to drop off and oil/oil filter collection kit which is a plastic bag for filters and a one gallon jug for oil ( I got two kits). When you need them picked up, you call them, let them know and put it all out with your trash on pick up day. As far as anti-freeze goes, they have a "house hold toxic waste" drop off at the main dump on Mecham Rd.
Hope this may help you.

California · Mar 13, 2008

DirtHauler said:
..."house hold toxic waste" drop off at the main dump on Mecham Rd. Hope this may help you.

Thanks! I've taken paint there. I should have thought of that.

I'll put the oil filter in my bin for fluorescents and lead gel lantern batteries, and drop it off on my next dump run.

mjncad · Mar 13, 2008

I have the same hassle getting rid of anti-freeze and now I wait for the county's annual hazmat collection days. I give them a donation and let them deal with it.

It cracks me up that Checker, Autozone, etc will take the used oil; but grouse about antifreeze, yet they are happy to sell it to you.

I remember the good(?) old days of changing coolant on the parent's cars as a teenager. Park car in street, open petcock, let coolant run down gutter to storm drain.

thatguy · Mar 13, 2008

Years ago I was told you could put your oil filters in the trash after letting them drain for at least 24 hrs.. Im not sure if that was an EPA or Virginia rule, but it was what a large truck maintenance shop did..

Brian

DieselPower · Mar 13, 2008

Most places that recycle are listed here. Just type in what you want to recycle and it will let you know the nearest recycler of that material. Everything from paint to batteries, light bulbs, oil, antifreeze and so on. Earth 911 » Go Green, Recycling, Reuse & Renewal, Eco News

PILOON · Mar 14, 2008

It cracks me up that Checker, Autozone, etc will take the used oil; but grouse about antifreeze, yet they are happy to sell it to you.--------

My guess is that they actually recycle oil so that it becomes a sellable comodity while I suspect that there no setups exist for recycling antifreeze and they probably have to pay to have it carted away.

Here in Quebec we have a recycling center at our municipal yards where I simply combine all my fluids in a 5 gal pail and simply hand it in from time to time.
They have also added 5cents a liter 'recycle' tax on all fluids filters ($2.00)etc at the retail level so they cannot refuse to accept them.
We also need to pay a $2.00 per tire recycle tax when we buy tires but the problem arises when you bring a large tractor tire to the recycle center as they can't handle them.

California · Mar 14, 2008

DieselPower said:
Most places that recycle are listed here. Just type in what you want to recycle and it will let you know the nearest recycler of that material. Everything from paint to batteries, light bulbs, oil, antifreeze and so on. earth911.org - Go Green, Recycling, Reuse & Renewal, Eco News

DieselPower - Excellent!

That Earth911.org list had several places nearby that I never thought of. It's the Mother Lode of comprehensive information. Highly recommended!

Dirthauler, it looks like driving in to Earth In Upheaval is my best choice, since they take filters and antifreeze as well as used oil.

Thanks to both of you!!

RalphVa · Mar 14, 2008

I used to throw my used oil filters into my wood stove. I've even burn used oil there, too, in a container inside the stove. A mechanic friend of mine has his used oil dripping into his wood stove from a suspended container.

Around here, you have to take your antifreeze to the dump. Many places recycle it IF they change it for you. There's a cost associated with this. You have to boil off all the distillable stuff. Costs fuel to do this.

Ralph

Soundguy · Mar 18, 2008

Since it is free, you put it in tractor tubes/tires to make them heavier!

soundguy

California said:
I took my used oil, filter, and coolant (less than a gallon) to Autozone for recycle. I think once before they told me dump the antifreeze into their waste oil bunker. This time the counter guy saw the antifreeze in a transparent jug and went nuts. "What the H*** is THAT!?!?!?!"

Thinking quick, I replied maybe was working in the wrong place if he didn't recognize it.

They won't take used oil filters either.

I saw a radiator shop and asked if they used one of those filter/recycle machines to reuse antifreeze. No. He took the coolant but said he has to pay to have it hauled away. Since it still looked new (after 4 years use), I suspect it will end up in a used car on a car lot somewhere.

What is current practice on recycling coolant and filters? Looking it up online, the current standard is nothing into the dump, the coolant and filters have to go to a proper specialty recycle operation.

Where?