[Xektrix]

I've seriously called everywhere I can think of. I've called Advanced Auto, O'Reillys, Autozone, Pepboys, junkyards, recycling place (it was a metal recycle, maybe there are more?), and I've tried going to shops and asked them but they said they won't take it because it's not theirs. Like, they'll dispose of their coolant, but won't take any people bring in that did it themselves. I even asked some random cop at a gas station what to do and he didn't know (BOWEL MOVEMENT)

So now I have 4 jugs of old antifreeze (I flushed it multiple times with water) in my barn. It doesn't bother me sitting there, but I would like to get rid of them if I could. No one seems to take antifreeze tho. They'll take oil, but not antifreeze.

 

[RickBlaine]

Now would be a good time to update your User CP to include your location, so we don't have to keep asking you especially if we are trying to help you....

Antifreeze is generally not accepted by most of the local suspects such as Pep Boys or Advance Auto...some near me take it, some do not.

To recycle this product, I use a local independent mechanic about a mile from me. As well, 4 times a year a group called SWANCC takes my antifreeze.
Automotive Products - Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County

Please stop swearing in your posts.

 

[TMVB]

My city runs a waste management and recycling program. They take anything and everything.

Check with your city or county. Or if you're in Canada, your Province. Or if you're in Japan, your Prefecture. Or if Uzbekistan, your Viloyati.

 

[RickBlaine]

We are trying to get an Uzbecki sub-forum....by the way in case OP is an Uzbecki. But I want to get the 9th Gen audio sub-forum first.

EDIT: Excellent idea, TMVB, about contacting the county government (if you are a red-blooded 'Merican!). Around Chicago, there are several counties that conduct "Recycle Days" and will take your old paint, old electronics, and automotive fluids and such. My city and state governments won't touch it, but the county gumbit will.

 

[Xektrix]

I said 1 swear word. Sorrryyyyy, didn't know it was a huge deal. It's not like you don't hear it hundreds of times in life, or on the internet. But if it bothers you then fine, I won't swear.

But also I live in southern Indiana if that helps. Idk if we have a waste collection company or anything. Everyone that said they don't take it, I asked them if they knew anyone that did and nobody knew anything. It make me feel like I'm the only one that's ever changed antifreeze outside of a shop.

I tried googling waste management, and I'm pretty sure the only things that came up are trash collecting services. You think if I contacted my waste service, would they take it? Also my uncle works at Raben (I went to one today and they said they don't take it, but I'm sure he would if they have a way of disposing it) do they have antifreeze recycle machines?

 

[RickBlaine]

Try "automotive fluid recycling" and the name of the mysterious county or undisclosed location you operate in.

If all else fails, make the clowns in gumbit work for you. Call your mysterious undisclosed government office (using a "burn phone", of course) and make them find the answer. Every office has a public health division.

 

[TMVB]

We are trying to get an Uzbecki sub-forum....by the way in case OP is an Uzbecki. But I want to get the 9th Gen audio sub-forum first.

EDIT: Excellent idea, TMVB, about contacting the county government (if you are a red-blooded 'Merican!). Around Chicago, there are several counties that conduct "Recycle Days" and will take your old paint, old electronics, and automotive fluids and such. My city and state governments won't touch it, but the county gumbit will.

You're making me appreciate my local government more and more.

This is what they accept - 5 days a week.

Cleaning Products:

• Drain Cleaners
• Wood & Metal Cleaners/ Polishes
• Toilet Cleaners
• Tub, Tile, Shower Cleaners
• Bleach
• Pool Chemicals
• Oven Cleaners
• Degreasers
• Indoor Pesticides:
• Ant Poisons
• ****roach Poisons
• Flea Repellants
• Household Insecticides
• Moth Repellants
• Mouse & Rat Poisons

Auotmotive Products:

• Motor Oil
• Fuel Additives
• Carburetor & Fuel Injector Cleaners
• Air Conditioning Refrigerants
• Starting Fluids
• Automotive Batteries
• Transmission & Brake Fluid
• Antifreeze
• Gasoline/Diesel Fuel

Outdoor Lawn and Garden:

• Herbicides
• Insecticides
• Wood Preservatives / Fungicides
• Pesticides
• Fertilizer
• Driveway Sealer

Batteries (Small quantities used in household applications):

• Rechargeable Small Sealed Lead Acid Batteries
• Rechargeable Nickel Cadmium (Ni-Cd) Batteries
• Rechargeable Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH) Batteries
• Rechargeable Lithium Ion (Li-ion) Batteries
• Alkaline / Zinc Carbon Batteries

Other Flammable Products:

• Propane Tanks & Cylinders
• Lighter Fluid
• Home Heating Oil
• Kerosene
• Aerosol Cans
• Gas / Oil Mixtures
• Nail Polish Removers

Mercury:

• Mercury Containing Thermostats
• Mercury Thermometer
• Compact Fluorescent Bulbs

Workshop/Painting Supplies:

• Adhesives & Glue
• Furniture Strippers
• Oil or Enamel Based Paint
• Stains & Finishes
• Paint Thinners & Turpentine
• Paint Strippers & Removers
• Photographic Chemicals
• Fixatives & other Solvents

 

[Xektrix]

Huh, I googled that and clicked on a site called How to Recycle Automotive Fluids - Earth911.com. They have a locator thing that actually came up with a few places that would dispose of it, I'll have to check it out tomorrow to see if they actually do. It says that the Valvoline Instant Oil Changes take it near me, and that's the only ones that show up. It actually has a facebook group for waste disposal events pop up too. Interesting. Never seen a Valvoline oil change place that I can think of tho, weird.

Assuming this place actually takes the antifreeze, that website would be a good thing to sticky if anyone can add that to a main post or something. It also searches for disposal of transmission fluid, brake fluid and "car fluids". Not sure what they mean by that, all the items are car fluids lol. I'll let you know tomorrow if they take it. The Valvoline place looks like my only hope, unless I find out about a group that has an event for it.

 

[Kimbo80]

Now would be a good time to update your User CP to include your location, so we don't have to keep asking you especially if we are trying to help you....

Antifreeze is generally not accepted by most of the local suspects such as Pep Boys or Advance Auto...some near me take it, some do not.

To recycle this product, I use a local independent mechanic about a mile from me. As well, 4 times a year a group called SWANCC takes my antifreeze.
Automotive Products - Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County

Please stop swearing in your posts.

Hey Rick,

I live on the northside of Chicago. Do you have any recommendations for an indy mechanic and also for body work? I have the dreaded wheel well rust on my Accord.

Thanks.

 

[mtts60]

Call your city or county dump operators. They should know (if they take it, not where to send it if they don't). Here, the city dump takes oil (and hydraulic fluid such as power steering & transmission) and antifreeze regularly, plus paint on certain weekends.

 

[Xektrix]

Ok so update:

I called the Valvoline place, and apparently they do not take it. Also half of them have closed down. I did find a group tho that takes a lot of different stuff annually on June 4th, so looks like I'll have to keep it until then haha

Called them and made sure they took the antifreeze to, which they do.

 

[jb1331]

Ok so update:

I called the Valvoline place, and apparently they do not take it. Also half of them have closed down. I did find a group tho that takes a lot of different stuff annually on June 4th, so looks like I'll have to keep it until then haha

Called them and made sure they took the antifreeze to, which they do.

Sounds like a lot of trouble. You could always go by the auto parts store that you buy stuff from frequently and leave the gallon jugs by their back door at night, then they have to dispose of it.. Just think of it as customer appreciation you are proactively administering for yourself... Seems like the norm these days since Customer service is next to nil anywhere anymore (Just kidding, but it should not be this difficult).

 

[RickBlaine]

No, not all auto places can take it. Several shops near me use used motor oil to heat the place in winter, and they get paid for collecting used brake fluid and used trans fluid. But they do not even have a bin to collect antifreeze.

Now the Firestone in Skokie as well as three indy mechanics within a 5 minute drive will take my antifreeze during business hours. One has a sign saying I am being recorded afterhours and if I leave used fluids I will be prosecuted....don't want that. Not going back in again. Never again. Did a nickel at Chino for B&E....I can't do the time.

By the way, McDonalds used to give away their grease for hippy types to run their magic buses on veggie oil and grease- but now there is big money for it from cosmetic companies. So 3rd party companies collect it (it is stored securely under lock and key) now and sell it to cosmetics companies, and McDonalds makes the money.

Years ago I called my local city government out of frustration and demanded THEY figure out where I can get rid of my antifreeze. It took them a few days to get off their butts- but they figured it out and then publicized it on their website and in monthly news letters. Their public works department and environmental department realized they better get ahead of this.

 

[Xektrix]

No, not all auto places can take it. Several shops near me use used motor oil to heat the place in winter, and they get paid for collecting used brake fluid and used trans fluid. But they do not even have a bin to collect antifreeze.

Now the Firestone in Skokie as well as three indy mechanics within a 5 minute drive will take my antifreeze during business hours. One has a sign saying I am being recorded afterhours and if I leave used fluids I will be prosecuted....don't want that. Not going back in again. Never again. Did a nickel at Chino for B&E....I can't do the time.

By the way, McDonalds used to give away their grease for hippy types to run their magic buses on veggie oil and grease- but now there is big money for it from cosmetic companies. So 3rd party companies collect it (it is stored securely under lock and key) now and sell it to cosmetics companies, and McDonalds makes the money.

Years ago I called my local city government out of frustration and demanded THEY figure out where I can get rid of my antifreeze. It took them a few days to get off their butts- but they figured it out and then publicized it on their website and in monthly news letters. Their public works department and environmental department realized they better get ahead of this.

Dang man, wouldn't have expected the B&E from you lol. I can understand why you wouldn't wanna go back, probably sucked. I've had friends go to jail for a couple days to weeks, but not like that.

Also, city governments should just figure this kind of thing out and make it known. Whenever I asked the cop at the gas station what to do, he said he didn't know and I told them the shops wouldn't take it and he just said "I think they're suppose to" and walked into the gas station.

Personally, I think shops should take it. They have the machinery, or at least have connects that come take it. What the difference between me taking a couple jugs in, and them doing to coolant change themselves? It just means they are getting paid for it, so they don't care. I shouldn't have to wait a year to get rid of it, since my local waste disposal event is only once a year.

I'm sure a lot of people just poor it in the sewers, or in some hole in the backyard, and then they say that's illegal, but give no information on what to do. I wonder if the really small communities even have an event, what would they do? I think they just like making things illegal without thinking about what to do after.

 

[CDsDontBurn]

Sooooooo dumping my old AF down my sewer's cleanout hole isn't the right way to do it?!

Well, at least I've never posted that online.

Oh wait....

LOL

 

[Xektrix]

Sooooooo dumping my old AF down my sewer's cleanout hole isn't the right way to do it?!

Well, at least I've never posted that online.

Oh wait....

LOL

That would be a no-no! XD

The only reason I wouldn't do that is because I'm too loving of animals, and I'd feel so guilty if an animal ended up drinking it somewhere and dying. I love animals too much haha

 

[enne]

I'm too loving of animals, and I'd feel so guilty if an animal ended up drinking it somewhere and dying. I love animals too much haha

I'll never forget the day my dad came up to me all proud and said "Hey, I switched over to a new antifreeze that won't kill animals! it doesn't taste good so they won't try to drink it!"

That was his way of saying "Hey, I know you really, really love animals and I want you to be proud of me!".

 

[CDsDontBurn]

That would be a no-no! XD

The only reason I wouldn't do that is because I'm too loving of animals, and I'd feel so guilty if an animal ended up drinking it somewhere and dying. I love animals too much haha

I know. I was only joking about what I previously said. Luckily for me, my employer has a department I can go to where I can dispose of AF.

It's kinda nice working where I work at. It's not just about the insurance and retirement benefits, but other benefits and "perks" as well