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Ethylene-based antifreeze is regulated as dangerous waste because it contains ethylene glycol and may also contain lead and other hazardous contaminants. However, businesses can recycle ethylene-based antifreeze once it becomes “spent antifreeze.”
Not a business?
If you are a household or individual looking for ways to recycle household items, please go to 1-800-RECYCLE.
Spent antifreeze refers to ethylene-based antifreeze that has been used and as a result of contamination can no longer serve the purpose for which it was produced without processing. When you follow the special requirements for recycling spent antifreeze (WAC 173-303-522):
It doesn’t count as a dangerous waste.
It doesn’t impact your generator category.
You don’t have to report recycled spent antifreeze on your annual report.
You don’t have to ship spent antifreeze on a uniform hazardous waste manifest.
How to properly store antifreeze
Never pour antifreeze down sewers, storm drains, septic tanks, dry wells or on the ground.
Use proper containment to prevent spills:
Use suitable containers (metal or plastic barrels or jugs) in good condition.
Always keep lids in place, except when adding or removing waste.
Keep all types of antifreeze separate:
Keep usable antifreeze separate from spentantifreeze.
Keep all antifreeze separate from other liquids and chemicals.
Mixing antifreeze with used oil, fuels, degreasers, radiator flush chemicals, etc., could make usable antifreeze unusable, and spent antifreeze non-recyclable.
Click to view and print this label.
Label spent antifreeze
Label your recyclable ethylene glycol-based antifreeze as “spent antifreeze.” We also recommend adding the word "toxic." You can print our free labels or make your own.
How do you recycle spent antifreeze?
Businesses have three options for recycling spent antifreeze. Regardless of the option you choose, you must keep records.
Although spent antifreeze does not count as dangerous waste toward your generator category when properly recycled, you must keep the following records for 5 years:
Amount of spent antifreeze recycled
Date recycled
Weight of dangerous waste filters
Sludge shipped off-site
For recycling machines, log the amount of antifreeze recycled each month
Use a hazardous waste service provider to send antifreeze off-site for recycling. You are responsible for ensuring the provider properly recycles your spent antifreeze.
Off-site recycling records
Although spent antifreeze does not count as dangerous waste toward your generator category when properly recycled, you must keep the following records for 5 years:
Amount of spent antifreeze shipped off-site for recycling
Date shipped
Name of vendor
Bills of lading
Receipts
Any manifests
Recycle your antifreeze with the help of a mobile van or truck equipped with a recycling unit that visits your facility and recycles spent antifreeze on-site.
Mobile recycling records
Although spent antifreeze does not count as dangerous waste toward your generator category when properly recycled, you must keep the following records for 5 years:
Amount of spent antifreeze recycled
Name of provider
Date recycled
Receipts
Frequently asked questions
If you transport spent antifreeze generated by others, you will need to keep paperwork. The shipping papers will need to say, “Material not regulated by DOT (Washington State Dangerous Waste Only, Toxic).” You also need an EPA/State Identification Number.
If sent off-site to be reclaimed, it doesn’t need to be manifested as a dangerous waste and you aren’t required to report it on the Dangerous Waste Report.
Here is a list of suggested best management practices. These are not required, but recommended:
Drain antifreeze from radiators and heater cores into a labeled recycling container as soon as possible.
Label containers and tanks with the word “Toxic" or a pictogram indicating the hazard.
Set up a container for antifreeze that can be reused in your shop without further treatment. Label this container “Usable Antifreeze Only" and “Toxic."
Keep containers closed except when adding or removing waste.
Keep spill control equipment in a central location, accessible to employees. Train employees to use spill control equipment.
Keep volumes of spent antifreeze low by properly and routinely recycling it.
