For the do-it-yourselfers of the automotive world, you can save a lot of money (and sometimes time) by replacing or topping off your automotive fluids yourself. From the ubiquitous windshield wiper fluid many people have to the more heavy-duty transmission and brake fluid, once you have these products, they can be hard to dispose of at home. Learn more about the chemicals that make automotive fluids work and how they impact waste disposal. [Read more…]
Automotive Waste: Dealing with Contamination and Disposal
While we all like coffee, what America really runs on is cars—from the personal vehicle that you use daily for work, chores, and fun to the commercial and industrial vehicles that keep everything moving and stocked. It also means we produce a lot of automotive waste, from the antifreeze you top off before the Nor’easter to the spent motor oil that’s been gathering dust in your garage. Today, we’re going to look at how to dispose of all these kinds of automotive waste, including best practices to avoid costly contamination. [Read more…]
Can I Dispose of Car Oil Filters in the Garbage?
Whether you’re a car aficionado or simply like to save money by being handy with your car, you can suddenly find yourself with a lot of automotive waste and unsure of what can be thrown away. Today we’re going to look at the close companion to car motor oil: the oil filter. Learn more about how to handle and store them after use, the risks they have as hazardous waste, and how to dispose of car oil filters—including your options for recycling them. [Read more…]
What is the Hazardous Waste in Car Batteries?
Just like their smaller household cousins, larger automotive batteries also lose charge, wear out, and break. And just like those small batteries, car batteries have the same problems—just on a larger scale. There is hazardous waste in car batteries that make them unsafe to throw away in the trash but can also corrode over time if left in place. Learn why batteries need to be handled and disposed of safely and how to do both. [Read more…]
Is Car Antifreeze and Coolant Hazardous Waste?
New England cars run on antifreeze, but like all automotive products, it needs to be changed out occasionally. Once you’ve swapped out old coolant for new, what do you do with the waste product? While antifreeze and coolant aren’t regulated hazardous waste like motor oil, it’s still important to know what can make it a hazardous household product, especially after it’s been used in a car. [Read more…]