Recycling Used Fluids

[Lee S.]

Went to Pep Boys today to drop off some used coolant (did a flush today) and some used ATF from a pan drop a couple of weeks ago. Well they refused to take either...they said they only take used motor oil. This seemed odd since I have previously dropped off both ATF and used motor oil at Pep Boys in the past (this was my first try with coolant).

Now I have to take both to my local dump which charges residents for dumping coolant but not motor oil... not sure if they charge for ATF.

Anyway what do you guys do with your used fluids? I thought there was some kind of law in NY requiring that stores that sell new fluids have to take the used but I'm not sure if that applies only to used motor oil. Anyone know?

Lee

 

[TheRookie]

call some local shops to see if they can take it. I know Midas usualy does

 

[Billy177]

i just told em it was motoroil and got out of there before they noticed

 

[TheRookie]

i hope you didnt dump coolant in with oil

 

[Billy177]

no but i did put it in a mobil1 container

 

[Lee S.]

This fluid recycling thing is a real PITA. You wanna do the right thing by your truck and the environment but they make it so hard to get rid of the used fluids. Maybe it's time to do the midnight drop and run in front of Pep Boys garage doors.....With the containers contents marked of course.

It just make sense to me that if they sell you the new stuff they ought to take the old off your hands without much hassle. I'm sure they are doing coolant flushes and tranny pan drops every day in their shop. What's the big deal to add my used fluids to theirs.

I might have to start getting my fluids only from stores that will take my old stuff back. Even if it's a little more expensive it's probably worth it.

Lee

 

[Tony H]

I didn't know Coolant was a big recycle thing.

Honestly I hold my used Antifreeze and use it to winterize my boat engines, After that I pull the Pet ****s and let it flush out down the driveway.
The Oils, My local mechanic (personal friends) use it as heating oil. I do all my own work on the cars but they are happy to get free heat for a day.

 

[Lee S.]

Hey Tony:

Looks like we're neighbors. If your friend needs some used antifreeze or ATF I'd be happy to drop it off. The used motor oil doesn't seem to be my problem right now.

As far as your used coolant going down the driveway, its probably not a good idea especially here on Long Island. It all works it way to the LI Sound eventually which is bad enough as it is.

Lee

 

[Positive Vibes]

Tony H, like Lee said. I ends up in the ocean. Also animals (dogs cats etc) love anti freeze, it has a sweet flavor they like. Its also deadly to them!!

 

[Ford_Racing_Guy]

most dealerships take oil and atf, and also coolant,


but my oil i just give it to my uncle who takes it in in 50 gallons drums, he drives semi-truck so it doesnt' take long to fill one up.

 

[Tony H]

Lee, have you tried Aid Auto stores?? I thought they were real big on recycling.

They are not all over America so I didn't Post it earlier. I should have looked at your Profile.

Looks like you are about 45minutes West of me.

 

[Lee S.]

ThanKs Tony.......I'll check out AID Auto.

Lee

 

[RiverRat]

In Ca the citys have a list of places that take used fluids. You could try the city/state websites.

I stopped using the green antifreeze for boat winterization and now use the pink RV stuff. Supposed to be ok for the environment.

We used to burn old oil/gas/antifreeze..... You should have seen the smoke and fumes that mix put out as it burned

 

[Lee S.]

I called my local AID Auto Store. Like Pep Boys, they are only taking used motor oil.

Lee

 

[EBInterceptor]

I just looked up in the yellow pages for environmental companies. Crystal Flash has an environmental part of it, and they pointed out to me a collection site for my oil and I just gave a dollar donation. I haven't had to dispose of any other fluids, but I'd check in the phone book.

 

[John_Rock]

I just got done dumping my used oil at the Walmart just one block away. I three full containers. I didn't ask them about coolant.

 

[jimbo74]

i jsut take them to work and dump them

 

[dougmc]

check your local recycling centers or solid waste management districts. depending on how things are set up in your area, they may take oil, antifreeze, and other fluids for free. some may charge a small fee...but even with that you'll still feel better about it than dumping it in the driveway or on the neighbors vegetable garden.

around here our recycling centers take hhw (household hazardous waste). this includes vehicle fluids and even car batteries and stuff like that.