Minnesota law prohibits throwing away antifreeze,brake fluid, power steering fluid, and transmission fluid. Never put any of these items in the garbage, or pour any of the fluids in your garbage, in a household drain, on the ground, into water, or into a sewer or storm drain. Improper disposal can contaminate our environment.
You can reduce pollution and waste from automotive fluids with these tips:
- Maintain your car regularly and fix any fluid leaks.
- Drive a fuel-efficient vehicle.
- Use your car less. Walk or ride your bike instead of driving. Carpool or take the bus to work or school - if not daily, try it once or twice a week.
Take automotive fluids to a collection site:
- Your county household hazardous waste collection site.
- Some municipalities collect oil filters. Contact your city for information.
- Some automotive service centers accept automotive fluids. Contact your local automotive service center for services, hours, and fees before taking items there.
Antifreeze
DESCRIPTION:
There are two main types of this engine coolant: ethylene glycol (generally green) and propylene glycol (generally pink). Keep the two types of antifreeze in separate containers.
DISPOSAL:
Take to your local auomotive service center or your county household hazardous waste drop-off site.
Fuels
DESCRIPTION:
Gasoline, gasoline additives, diesel fuel, fuel oil, gasoline/oil mixtures, kerosene, and lamp oil. Fuels used in cars, boats, lawn mowers, snow blowers and other equipment. Store gasoline and other fuels in an approved gasoline-storage container.
DISPOSAL:
Take leftover fuels to your county household hazardous waste drop-off site.
Brake fluid, power steering fluid, transmission fluid
DISPOSAL:
Take to your county household hazardous waste drop-off site.
Other automotive chemicals
DESCRIPTION:
Windshield washer fluid, cleaners/degreasers, waxes, or detailing products, etc. If any of these words appears on the label: caution, warning, danger, poison, flammable, combustible, corrosive--take it to your county household hazardous waste collection site. For more information on disposing of automotive chemicals, contact your county household hazardous waste drop-off site.
Most automotive fluids are flammable or combustible. Improper storage or disposal could cause serious injury. Follow these tips for safe storage and disposal of automotive fluids:
- Don't mix fluids. Store each fluid separately in a sealed, labeled container. If fluids were mixed for a specific purpose, label the container with its contents.
- Leave some air space in the container in case the fluid expands.
- Use a clean container. Any residue left in a container may contaminate the automotive fluid.
- Store antifreeze out of reach of children and pets--they may be attracted to the sweet taste.
For information on disposing of motor oil or oil filters, see Motor Oil & Oil Filters.
