Packard Forum Index » Pre-War (1899-1942)

What is the best way to get rid of used antifreeze? I dont want to dump it in the ground. I looked at the internet someone said you can dump it in sewer system . I checked with the water authority and they said no do not do that. I worked at a place that had their antifreeze recycled and i would take it there. But I dont work at that place anymore. I asked my township they said there is a place I could take it but they have a once a year collection and you would have to make an appointment in advance during the day which means i would have to take off work. Its not easy to do the right thing.

There is a local quick oil change shop near me that accepts used antifreeze. Try checking with one in your area.

I my area the local waste site has a hazardous waste site that takes all types of materials. I am sure they are available everywhere to keep items like this out of the environment. It is also something that can be recycled so these sites allow the firms that process it access to large enough quantities to enable them the economy of scale to operate.
Thanks for bring this up, I am sure we are all in need of this information.
Bob J.

Some auto parts stores will take used oil, and I believe used antifreeze. In my location there is a hazardous waste acceptance site run by the county. All fluids are taken there. Oil, antifreeze, brake fluid, old gas, etc. No cost. I'm pretty sure there are places in most municipalities that will take hazardous items.

-Kevin

Do not dump it into the sewer or on the ground. This stuff is poisonous. If you dump it on the ground, the sweet smell and taste will attract dogs and cats and they will lick it up.

Cats are particularly drawn to certain petroleum products so even be careful of leaving open containers. I learned years ago the hard way.

Good reminders above. Antifreeze is sweet to dogs, cats, children and will kill them. At the risk of sounding like a broken record, if your car never exposed to two consecutive nights of a hard freeze; outdoors below 30 with wind chill, or does not have air conditioning, avoid antifreeze like the plague. Cars w/ AC even in LA or Phoenix require 15% antifreeze.

Also avoid soluble oil, an outmoded practice. Like antifreeze, it leaves cooling inhibiting film on passages. A Chrysler engineer member of the Auburn-Cord-Duesenberg Club described this in one of their 1989 newsletters. For all the cooling system preservation info you'll need, see the tech link at no-rosion.com
norosion.com/tech_coolant.htm

Use reverse osmosis water, never distilled, which is ion hungry, leaching minerals (copper, lead, tin, iron) from your radiator and cooling system. You can get RO water for 49 cents a gallon at usually pricey Whole Foods, or, if feeling flush, pun unintended, 50 cents at Sprouts. Bring your own jugs. No, not your wife or paramour. Sorry. This is a Packard site, so we'll have decorum.

All you want is RO water and either No-Rosion or Redline Water Wetter. Nothing else. As an automotive chemist explained, water itself is a good water pump lubricant.

As with politics, so many products marketed to fear and ignorance.

I've always been able to take my used antifreeze to my local Advanced Auto Parts. They recycle all oils in one bin, and coolant in another. Might want to check those sort of places, too.

With a cracked water jacket on one car (not Packard) I'll never, ever NOT use antifreeze!