How Do You Dispose of Antifreeze Safely & Legally?

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This blog entry discusses the proper disposal of automotive antifreeze—both household and industrial quantities. Q&As include:

1. What is antifreeze?
2. Why can’t pure water be used as an engine coolant?
3. Why is radiator coolant called antifreeze?
4. Why does antifreeze need to be changed?
5. How often does antifreeze need to be changed?
6. How does old antifreeze become tainted?
7. Is antifreeze toxic?
8. Can you recycle antifreeze?
9. Which provinces have a specific antifreeze recycling program?
10. How do you dispose of household amounts of old antifreeze?
11. Do you need to pay for antifreeze disposal?
12. Can you dispose of antifreeze at the same places that take used oil?
13. What laws govern antifreeze disposal?
14. Are the disposal requirements for antifreeze the same across all provinces?
15. What are the key factors that determine Hazardous Classification for antifreeze?
16. How do you legally dispose of large commercial amounts of spent antifreeze?
17. How should you store old antifreeze?
18. How should you transport old antifreeze?
19. Where can you get the best advice about disposing of old antifreeze?

1.What is antifreeze?

Actually, it’s a misnomer. This is because what’s commonly called antifreeze is actually a coolant that courses through special passages in your car’s engine block to keep it from overheating. Bear in mind, no matter what season of the year, a car engine without radiator coolant will overheat to complete destruction in short order.

Radiator coolant keeps the engine’s temperature within safe limits (900 C to 1050 C) by absorbing heat via conduction (see source). The absorbed heat then gets “radiated” into the atmosphere as the coolant gets passed through—you guessed it—your car’s radiator, which lives under the hood and (usually) in front of the engine (see source).

In fact, the radiator coolant also journeys through something called a heat exchanger, which is a little radiator beneath your dashboard that warms you by having an electric fan blow across it. Your car’s comfort control regulates how much of the hot coolant passes through the heat exchanger: a lot in the winter, none in the summer, and something in between for spring and fall.

2. Why can’t pure water be used as an engine coolant?

Actually, pure water was used in the earliest internal combustion engines. But water freezes at

0° C and boils at 100°C. If it freezes, it will expand and crack the engine block. If it boils, it can no longer absorb heat.

Today’s auto engines operate at temperatures that render pure water useless as a radiator fluid. Thus, modern radiator coolant is formulated to have a boiling point of 1970 C and a freezing point of -380C, well beyond the extremes of temperatures that your car is likely to produce or encounter.

3. Why is radiator coolant called antifreeze?

If the coolant in your car’s engine were to freeze in the winter, it would expand enough to crack open the engine block, meaning it would be new-car time. To prevent this catastrophic event, radiator coolant is formulated to have a freezing point of -380 C, safely below any wintery temperature your car might encounter, even if you live in Winnipeg. Ergo, radiator coolant is often referred to as “antifreeze.”

4. Why does antifreeze need to be changed?

Antifreeze will deteriorate over time and so become less resistant to freezing or boiling. Also, engines have many parts that can rust. The radiator coolant will pick up this rust as it circulates through the engine block, depositing it in places where it can wreak all sorts of expensive damage. Regular flushing keeps the coolant clean and prevents blockages (see source).

5. How often does antifreeze need to be changed?

Depending on the vehicle and the coolant, the recommended time between flushes is two years or 48,000 kilometres for “silicate coolants,” and it’s up to five years or 160,000 kilometres for “extended drain coolants.” You can determine which you have by its colour.

• Silicate coolants are fluorescent green. The silicate raises the boiling point, lowers the freezing point, and coats your engine parts to inhibit corrosion (see source).
• Extended-life coolants are orange. They contain organic acids that deplete much more slowly than traditional coolant additive (see source).

6. How does old antifreeze become tainted?

Antifreeze can become tainted with heavy metals secondary to rust in your engine. Or, if your engine has a damaged head gasket, the coolant might be polluted with oil or gasoline. In either case, the tainted coolant is considered a hazardous waste.

7. Is antifreeze toxic?

The main ingredient in antifreeze is usually ethylene glycol (aka, ethane). It’s an organic compound that’s odourless, colourless, flammable, and viscous. Unfortunately, it’s also toxic. Along with raising the boiling- and lowering the freezing-point of the coolant, ethylene glycol acts as a lubricant and anti-corrosive agent (see source).

[Some types of coolant use propylene glycol instead of ethylene glycol, which is less toxic, but should nonetheless be handled with care (see source).]

We should add here that ethylene glycol has a sweet taste. And while it might not occur to you to use it as a cocktail mixer, dogs—on the other hand—think it’s simply delicious. They’ll happily lap up any that spills or leaks onto a garage floor or driveway; and even a tiny amount can be highly poisonous. Just a half-teaspoon (2 mL) per .45 kg of Fifi’s body weight can be fatal (see source).

Given this danger, you need to absorb spilled radiator coolant ASAP. Use baking soda or kitty litter to soak up as much as you can. Then, cover the affected area with paper towels. After a couple of hours, toss the paper towels into a sealable plastic garbage bag and place it into your normal trash stream. Finally, squirt liquid soap on the affected area, scrub it with a sponge or scouring pad, and then rinse it with water. Fifi would thank you—if only she knew.

8. Can you recycle antifreeze?

Not if it’s tainted (see Q.6). But if it’s merely old, check your provincial waste management website for guidelines for recycling or disposing of geriatric coolant (aka, old antifreeze). If you come up empty there, try contacting your nearby recycling centre or local government office. (Check out Q.10 for more options.)

9. Which province have a specific antifreeze recycling program?

Several provinces have established programs:

• Ontario. Their Resource Recovery and Circular Economy Act requires retailers to accept used antifreeze.
• British Columbia. Their Return-It program includes antifreeze collection.
• Alberta. The Alberta Used Oil Management Association (AUOMA) includes antifreeze in their program.
• Quebec. Their Société de gestion des huiles usagées du Québec (SOGHU) manages antifreeze recycling.

Check with your provincial environmental ministry for current program details.

10. How do you dispose of household amounts of old antifreeze?

You should never dump spent antifreeze onto the ground or down a drain. Doing so would allow ethylene glycol to seep into the nearby soils and groundwater, which could pollute water sources, kill flora, and sicken fauna.

All that said, you have several safe disposal options:

• Auto parts stores. Most major chains like Canadian Tire, NAPA, and Princess Auto accept used antifreeze.
• Service stations and quick-lube shops. Many accept antifreeze from DIY customers.
• Municipal hazardous waste depots. Most cities operate permanent or seasonal collection facilities.
• Special collection events. Many communities host hazardous waste collection days.
• Recycling centres. Some private recycling facilities accept automotive fluids.
• Dealerships. Car dealerships often accept used antifreeze.

11. Do you need to pay for antifreeze disposal?

Antifreeze disposal is usually no-cost for residential quantities. Many retailers that sell antifreeze are required to accept used antifreeze at no charge. However, some private facilities may charge fees, especially for large quantities. Municipal programs are typically free for residents.

12. Can you dispose of antifreeze at the same place that take used oil?

Many facilities that accept used motor oil also accept antifreeze, as they’re both automotive fluids requiring special handling. However, it’s important to confirm this beforehand, as some oil collection points may not be equipped to handle antifreeze.

13. What laws govern antifreeze disposal?

Antifreeze disposal is regulated under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA) at the federal level, along with provincial environmental protection acts.

Each province has specific regulations regarding hazardous waste disposal, and antifreeze is classified as hazardous waste in all Canadian jurisdictions.

Violating these disposal regulations can result in significant fines and legal consequences.

14. Are the disposal requirements for antifreeze the same across all provinces?

Did you really have to ask? Of course not.

Specific procedures and collection programs vary by province and municipality. Some provinces have extended producer responsibility programs. Others rely more heavily on municipal hazardous waste collection. It’s important to check with your local authorities for specific requirements.

15. What are the key factors that determine hazardous waste classification for antifreeze?

Under programs like Ontario’s Hazardous and Special Products regulation, antifreeze is managed under extended producer responsibility programs, which affects how it’s classified and handled. (See source)

The specific classification can also depend on whether the antifreeze is being transported across provincial or international borders, as this triggers additional federal regulations under Environment and Climate Change Canada’s cross-border movement regulations. Some things to consider include:

• Contamination levels. Antifreeze that contains metals (e.g., lead) and/or other contaminants can be considered a hazardous waste.
• Quantities. Federal and provincial quantity limits trigger different regulatory requirements.
• Type. Ethylene glycol-based antifreeze—the most common—is more toxic than those that are based of propylene glycol.

For the most current and location-specific requirements, you should consult your provincial environmental agency, as hazardous waste management is primarily a provincial responsibility in Canada. Or better yet, get expert advice here.

16. How do you legally dispose of large commercial amounts of spent antifreeze?

Antifreeze is classified as hazardous waste and large commercial amounts fall under provincial hazardous waste regulations. Each province has specific requirements and approved disposal facilities, and you’ll need to work with a provincially licensed hazardous waste management company. That would be us.

Pending disposal, keep antifreeze in original containers or approved storage vessels, in a secured area, and away from drains.

Documentation requirements include but aren’t limited to:

• Manifest forms tracking waste from generation to disposal
• Certificates of disposal/destruction
• Records for regulatory compliance and potential audits

N.B. Many facilities can recycle antifreeze rather than just dispose of it, which might be more cost-effective and environmentally preferable.

17. How should you store old antifreeze?

• Keep antifreeze in its original container when possible.
• Never mix antifreeze with other fluids like oil or brake fluid.
• Ensure containers are tightly sealed to prevent spills.
• Clean up any spills immediately with absorbent materials.
• Transport containers securely in your vehicle.

18. How should you transport old antifreeze?

You should transport old antifreeze in sealed plastic containers that are well secured in your car boot or pickup bed. Label each container with the date, the brand of coolant, and the coolant’s chemical contents (if you know it).

If your antifreeze is tainted with gas, oil, or heavy metals, indicate that on the label too. As we’ve mentioned before, only pure antifreeze can be recycled. Tainted antifreeze must be managed as a hazardous waste (see Q.8).

19. Where can you get the best advice about disposing of old antifreeze?

We thought you’d never ask!

You need an environmental services partner that has a documentable history of providing safe, efficient, and compliant waste disposal guidance. Hazardous Waste Experts is that company. We’re a premier source of advice and expertise concerning the management and disposal of automotive coolants, motor oils, gasoline, or any other noxious substances—liquid or solid.

Contact us today. Or call (866) 430-9421.

And thank you for reading our blog!