How to Dispose of Old Gas (The Safe and Legal Way)
Having spare gas bottles on hand can be handy for car emergencies or gas-powered garden tools, but it can certainly be a hassle if you forget about it and leave it out for long periods of time. Old gasoline doesn’t burn well.
Gasoline is made up of several compounds, some of which are considered carcinogens and are highly toxic to animals, people and the environment. It is explosive and highly flammable in both liquid and gaseous form. It is therefore not surprising that disposal of gasoline is carefully regulated and controlled.
The best course of action is prevention. It is best to use stored gasoline regularly to prevent deterioration. If your power tools are also in hibernation during this time of year, do not store them for the winter.
If you find any suspicious containers or some engines are not working properly, you can check the gasoline at home before going to a waste disposal service.
Storing gasoline safely
It is very important to store gasoline in special fuel containers. Never fill it to the brim. There should be some air left at the top to allow room for expansion (fuel tanks should have vents to prevent overpressure, but this is intended as an additional safety feature).
Never mix gasoline with other compounds, even if you plan to dispose of it later. Incompatible liquids can cause dangerous chemical reactions. Mixing chemicals can make your waste fuel unsafe for waste disposal companies.
Keep gasoline on the floor to avoid the additional pressure that can result from leaving a container on a shelf in an enclosed space (such as a garage or shed) where it can get very hot. Warm air rises. Do not store gasoline in the trunk of a car, in a basement, or near a stove or other open flame. Water heaters often have pilot lights that can ignite fuel vapors. Follow all other instructions on the gas can to avoid damage, fire, serious injury or death.
How long does gasoline last?
Properly approved gasoline storage containers have special vents to prevent water from entering and to allow vapors to escape so that the container does not build up dangerous pressure. Gasoline will last for about 6 months in one of these containers. If a gasoline stabilizer is added before storage, the fuel will last up to 12 months.
Check if you can reuse old gasoline
Before you throw away or use old fuel, swirl the gasoline cartridge gently to mix it, pour a small amount into a clear glass bottle, and do a visual inspection. It’s best to compare it to new fuel in a separate container to get an idea of how it looks.
Check the color. New gasoline is light and old gasoline is dark. The darker the fuel, the more it oxidizes and the worse it burns.
Check the floor for debris and water. Fresh gasoline should have little to no sediment.
Take a quick smell. Used gasoline will have a strange odor, no odor at all, or a very strong odor like paint. To achieve the highest purity, filter it through a color filter first.
Can I use old gasoline in my car?When gasoline starts to deteriorate, it will no longer burn. This can cause problems with your car’s engine, including: B. Knocking or misfiring. In severe cases, your car may not start at all, or start but then stall out again shortly after.
Can I dump old gasoline on the ground? Never dump old gasoline on the ground, no matter how convenient it may be. It will eventually get into water sources for animals and humans, damaging vegetation and wildlife in the process. This practice is also illegal in most places.
Here’s how to properly dispose of old gasoline
The best way to dispose of old, unusable gasoline is to contact your local city, fire department, or waste disposal service (landfill). Call and ask if they have regular gasoline pickups or returns or if there are any specific hazardous waste disposal events. Hazardous waste disposal events usually occur on a regular basis, e.g. A. once a month or once a year.
You can also find local collection or recycling events by searching online (Earth911.com is a useful website) for “household hazardous waste” locations in your zip code.
Call the facility first before packing up. It’s important to know what container your gasoline should be in, how much the disposal fee is, when the service will start, and whether cash or card payments are accepted. Fuel containers cannot be returned after fuel has been disposed of.
Will AutoZone (or any other store) accept used gasoline? Most major auto parts stores won’t accept used gasoline, but they might accept used oil.
Can I just let the old gasoline evaporate? In the past, some people would dispose of used gasoline by pouring it into a shallow dish and leaving it outside to evaporate. Doing this will leave behind an oily residue, which is still dangerous.
Letting gasoline evaporate is still not a good idea, as it releases harmful fumes into the environment. Check your state’s laws to see if this is legal in your area.
If you do this, be careful where you place containers of gasoline, as the fumes can be very dangerous in enclosed spaces (both a burn hazard and an inhalation hazard).
Can You Throw Gas Cans Away?
Check with the local waste collection services first.
Note: “Completely empty” does not mean rinsed with water. Rinsing the container would put gasoline into the water system and is not necessary for this means of disposal.