Where / how should I dispose of used brake fluid / coolant?

Oil is easy, but Schucks etc don't seem to take other fluids.

Thanks.

Call your local waste water plant about the coolant. Many local water plants can handle it and the disposal method is just flushing it down the toilet. Sounds strange but true.

Brake fluid....I dont know the correct answer as I always (possibly wrongly) mixed it with my old oil and poured it all into the oil tank.

I've heard the same thing about the coolant. I used to manage air-conditioning operations at a school system where we had a lot of ethylene glycol in certain types of systems and putting it into the sewer was the right thing to do. Don't put it into a septic tank.

My coolent goes back to my local parts store.

Brake fluid gets mixed into waste oil and returned.

Brake fluid....I dont know the correct answer as I always (possibly wrongly) mixed it with my old oil and poured it all into the oil tank.


Though brake fluid isn't mentioned specifically, the FAQ at the California Integrated Waste Management Board (http://www.ciwmb.ca.gov/) says the following about Recycling Used Oil:


"Certified center managers will not accept used motor oil that has been contaminated with other fluids such as antifreeze, solvents, gasoline, or water. So please, don't mix your used oil with anything. However, if your used oil accidentally gets contaminated, your certified center manager can tell you where to take it for proper disposal. Alternatively, you can get information from your local government contact (http://www.ciwmb.ca.gov/UsedOil/Handling/Contaminated/WhereToTake.htm) about how to deal with your suspected contaminated oil."

Our local recycling agency (in Kansas City, MO.) defines brake fluid and antifreeze as household hazardous waste. They may be recycled, but only at specific facilities.

Seattle is similar; brake/clutch fluid is household hazardous waste. If antifreeze is diluted to less than 10% w/water, in theory it can go into the sewage system, otherwise it is haz waste, too.

oil goes to local gas station that has a garage to be properly stored, coolant goes bye bye down the toilet.

Where / how should I dispose of used brake fluid / coolant?

Oil is easy, but Schucks etc don't seem to take other fluids.

Thanks.
Take them to any of the 3 King County Waste Transfer Stations that take houshold hazardous waste.
http://www.govlink.org/hazwaste/house/disposal/AnyProduct.cfm?entityID=906&catID=927