How do you legally get rid of old Coolant ?

[GAJ52]

I have just drained the coolant from my two BMW Mercruisers and ended up with about 20 litres of the stuff.

How do I legally dispose of it, most refuse sites only have an oil disposal tank ?

Glen

 

[Poignard]

If you are in the UK, contact your local council. Mine will arrange for a contractor to collect and dispose of to 20 litres of hazardous waste from my home, twice a year, free of charge. I recently got rid of some unwanted paint and solvents in this way. I had to apply using a form, listing everything, put the labelled containers in cardboard boxes and leave it out on the appointed day. All very straightforward.

 

[Plum]

I have just drained the coolant from my two BMW Mercruisers and ended up with about 20 litres of the stuff.

How do I legally dispose of it, most refuse sites only have an oil disposal tank ?

Glen

This is the result of my recent enquiries:
Ethylene glycol based coolant, by far the dominant type here in the UK, is poisonous and must not be disposed of on the land, water courses, the sea or drains/sewers.

I contacted Volspec, the Volvo Penta agent in Tollesbury, Essex, where I purchased the new coolant from and they said I could take the used stuff to them at their service centre but they would make a £6.50 “environmental disposal charge”

I went to my local Council recycling centre to see if they would take it and was told to put it into their waste engine oil container. I was surprised by this but followed their instructions. I suggest you check with your local recycling centre in case they have a different policy.

However, just after getting rid of it as above I got a reply to my e-mail i sent to Essex County Council (waste.management@essex.gov.uk) saying they would collect up to 20litres from my home free of charge! (Each litre after this is charged at £3.50 +VAT). If you are not in Essex maybe there is an equivalent scheme in your county.

www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk

 

[macd]

(Each litre after this is charged at £3.50 +VAT)

Does anyone else find it just a little perverse that Value Added Tax is charged on something you want to chuck away. (Yes, I realise the charge is for service, but still...)

 

[Deleted member 36384]

Does anyone else find it just a little perverse that Value Added Tax is charged on something you want to chuck away. (Yes, I realise the charge is for service, but still...)

No, the value added is safe disposal with minimum hassle on my behalf.

 

[GAJ52]

I'm surprised at the instruction to put in the waste oil container, I'll have to call my local council and see what they say.

Many thanks for your comments.

 

[JumbleDuck]

Ethylene glycol based coolant, by far the dominant type here in the UK, is poisonous and must not be disposed of on the land, water courses, the sea or drains/sewers.

This comes up fairly frequently. While the legal situation is as you describe, it breaks down fairly quickly in seawater and - from memory - an engine's worth is below toxic limits for aquatic life by the time it has diluted in a sphere of water a couple of metres across. Dumping it overboard is rather tough for any fish who are on the spot but is biologically and, to me, morally well below the Exxon Valdez level.

 

[Jegs]

In France I have purchased polypropylene [propylene?] glycol based antifreeze, which was described as "safe."

ATB,

John G

 

[daveyw]

When winterising an engine it's common practice to pour an antifreeze mixture into the inlet filter while the engine is running until it blows out of the exhaust.........

 

[Deleted member 36384]

.... to me, morally well below the Exxon Valdez level.

That's a similar proposition that the drilling industry made to the UK government, dilution made dumping of diesel based drilling fluids acceptable, which it technically was. Then Shell tried to dump the Brent Spar, which again was technically acceptable. However, as always perception is king and a yachty claiming the dilution argument to Swampy the eco hypocrite with the press in tow just wont cut the mustard.

 

[Daydream believer]

However, just after getting rid of it as above I got a reply to my e-mail i sent to Essex County Council (waste.management@essex.gov.uk) saying they would collect up to 20litres from my home free of charge! (Each litre after this is charged at £3.50 +VAT). If you are not in Essex maybe there is an equivalent scheme in your county.

www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk

So give 20 litres to your neighbour & 20 litres yourself & that is 40 litres
Alternatively, tip the driver a tenner & get rid of as much as you like

 

[Daydream believer]

When winterising an engine it's common practice to pour an antifreeze mixture into the inlet filter while the engine is running until it blows out of the exhaust.........

Which it will do in the summer in its entirety

 

[thinwater]

If recycling is not available, save it and use it to winterize the seacool side and the blackwater system.

BTW, EG antifreeze is equal in biodegradeability and marine toxicity to PG (don't believe me--read the SDS). The only difference is toxicity to mammals, which are different.

A common misunderstanding.

http://sail-delmarva.blogspot.com/2009/11/marine-winterizing-antifreeze-and.html