Fluid Disposal - Where to go?

[AzScorpion]

When I was a kid we would spread it on the driveway to keep dust down. Full circle, came from the ground and went back to the ground. Now my Kubota dealer takes it. Remember when Sears used to sell recycled oil by the gallon in all their auto centers. Had to byo container.

Growing up we had an empty lot next to our house (you can see where this is going lol) and use to dump our used oil there. Between my mom & dad's car, my cars, my motorcycles and quads I'd bet there was enough to keep the Keystone Pipeline flowing for months!

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[k1w1t1m]

We'd better be careful otherwise we'll be paying for site clean up operations

 

[jmelair]

Is that an actual rule they have, or just something you do?

I think it's something that people do, like we're going to charge people to take their used oil, so they "dump" it at our door. doesn't happen a lot, but it happens. Even if our drums are full, if you bring it in using a disposable container, I'll take it, and save it for one of our customers who have a waste oil heater, and give it to them (and we don't charge for it... we pay for a company to come take our oil, and if they find something not kosher (contaminated oil -- like with gasoline or something), we have to pay them a "fine" to clean it up, and it ties our hands in accepting used oil for at least a month while they deliver new container(s) (we had a single 500 gallon tank, they took that and left us 6 55 gallon drums. one for oil filters, one for coolant, the last 4 for oil

 

[Jedadiah]

Over the years I've collected various 5 gal gas cans for various equipment. Long ago took one and used it to store oil from changes. Goes right from drain pan to the container. When it hits 4-5 gallons, I take it to local O'Reillys or dump recycling bin.
Large 5 gal gas can does away with trying to dump it into one gallon or 5 qt containers....lot less mess, and only 2 trips a year (2 vehicles X 2 changes each + lawn equipment)
And, yes, gas can is well marked for "used oil".

This is the way. So much easier.

 

[dstig1]

As you saw, oil (engine & trans are handled the same) is pretty easy. Brake fluid and coolant are a little tougher and it can vary by state laws. Our county does a yearly hazardous materials collection where I dispose of brake fluid. Across the river, MN has sites in each county for this that are open year-round, so you need to find out the local situation. But I put brake fluid in an old windshield washer fluid bottle, so the need to drop it off is maybe once every 4-5 years.

Coolant I have had a hard time getting a good answer but the best I can tell, the best recommendation is to dispose of it in the normal sanitary sewer aka down your slop sink drain or in the toilet. NOT in the stormwater drains in the street! Apparently the sewage treatment plants handle it fine. The problem I have now is that I live in the country on a well and septic and don't really think putting it in the septic is wise. So I have been bringing it to the haz waste collection too, but a coolant flush is a very infrequent item, so it does not happen often. If anyone has a better answer for coolant, I am all ears!

 

[got3fords]

Coolant I have had a hard time getting a good answer but the best I can tell, the best recommendation is to dispose of it in the normal sanitary sewer aka down your slop sink drain or in the toilet. NOT in the stormwater drains in the street! Apparently the sewage treatment plants handle it fine. The problem I have now is that I live in the country on a well and septic and don't really think putting it in the septic is wise. So I have been bringing it to the haz waste collection too, but a coolant flush is a very infrequent item, so it does not happen often. If anyone has a better answer for coolant, I am all ears!

Last I knew, all the de-icer (ethylene glycol, coolant) used to de-ice aircraft just went into the ground water drainage. It must not be all that bad.

 

[Langwilliams]

bout 30 years ago I had a neighbor who drove an old car that burned so much oil the guy at the parts store would set a gallon jug of used oil aside for him. He added it to the car like every other day! Guess the motor was done anyway. Of course this was pre emission testing.

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

Last I knew, all the de-icer (ethylene glycol, coolant) used to de-ice aircraft just went into the ground water drainage. It must not be all that bad.

It’s nasty enough that there are EPA guidelines that limit the discharge of de-icing fluids at larger/busier American airports. I’m sure Environment Canada has similar guidelines.

A lot of airports collect, store, and recycle their de-icing fluids - some only recycle a portion and the rest goes into sanitary sewer lines to be treated by the local municipality. I know Toronto Pearson and Calgary recycle some or all, and at least twenty in the U.S. do as well. Some even treat it on-site to remove the ethylene glycol for re-use. Others, truck it to vendors.

 

[Grumpaw]

It’s nasty enough that there are EPA guidelines that limit the discharge of de-icing fluids at larger/busier American airports. I’m sure Environment Canada has similar guidelines.

A lot of airports collect, store, and recycle their de-icing fluids - some only recycle a portion and the rest goes into sanitary sewer lines to be treated by the local municipality. I know Toronto Pearson and Calgary recycle some or all, and at least twenty in the U.S. do as well. Some even treat it on-site to remove the ethylene glycol for re-use. Others, truck it to vendors.

If Canada sewer systems can clean up after you all eat poutine than cleaning up de-icing fluid should be easy !!!!!

 

[airline tech]

Yes- most Airports will have a specific De-Ice area that drains off to a collection point or retention pond where they have a way to filter it.
I will say that stagnant De-Ice fluid setting in the airport drains and ponds has a very strong unpleasant odor.
I do not know the specifics but there is an (x) amount of gallons that can flow into standard drainage.
De-Icing in not a fun job - I have helped out and sprayed a few times in my career but at one time this was a maintenance function but now is mainly a ramp function.

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

If Canada sewer systems can clean up after you all eat poutine than cleaning up de-icing fluid should be easy !!!!!

Dave says they taste and smell the same. ?‍

 

[AzScorpion]

Dave says they taste and smell the same. ?‍

Tastes like chicken? ?

I think I'd rather drink the sewer water than eat that nasty Poutine!??

 

[dtech]

If Canada sewer systems can clean up after you all eat poutine than cleaning up de-icing fluid should be easy !!!!!

Wait - is it still Canada , I thought it was 51............

 

[got3fords]

Yes- most Airports will have a specific De-Ice area that drains off to a collection point or retention pond where they have a way to filter it.
I will say that stagnant De-Ice fluid setting in the airport drains and ponds has a very strong unpleasant odor.
I do not know the specifics but there is an (x) amount of gallons that can flow into standard drainage.
De-Icing in not a fun job - I have helped out and sprayed a few times in my career but at one time this was a maintenance function but now is mainly a ramp function.

I had to help de-ice a couple of time on P-3's when I was in the Navy. Freakin' sucked bad!

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

Wait - is it still Canada , I thought it was 51............

Someone tried to make us 19 just over 200 years ago. It didn’t go so well…

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