Where and How to Dispose of Antifreeze Safely

You can avoid antifreeze safety issues with a few simple tips

man pouring antifreeze into car
Photo: Ivan-balvan / iStock / Getty Images
man pouring antifreeze into car
Photo: Ivan-balvan / iStock / Getty Images
SKILL LEVEL
Easy
COMPLETION TIME
10 minutes
COST
Up to $25
Get quotes from up to 3 pros!
Enter a zip below and get matched to top-rated pros near you.
Geo Icon
What you'll need:
TOOLS
  • Rubber gloves
  • Eye protection
  • Large drain pan
  • Funnel
  • Shovel
SUPPLIES
  • Wide-mouthed plastic jug
  • Kitty litter or sand
  • Plastic bag
  • Bungee cord

If you do your own vehicle maintenance, eventually you'll have to change your antifreeze. This highly toxic chemical is vital to keep a vehicle's engine from overheating or freezing, depending on the weather, and it needs to be handled and disposed of carefully. This guide offers tips on how to dispose of antifreeze safely, including where to take it and how to recycle it.

Understanding Antifreeze and Why It Can Be Dangerous

Antifreeze is necessary for vehicle maintenance, but you should handle it carefully. The primary ingredient in antifreeze is either ethylene glycol or propylene glycol, which are both toxic to all living things. It's typically a bright, fluorescent green or orange with a sweet smell, so it's attractive to children and pets who don't know better.

Antifreeze can cause organ failure, convulsions, and loss of consciousness if ingested. For all these reasons, you should dispose of it promptly and clean up spills as soon as they happen.

How to Dispose of Antifreeze

antifreeze disposal location
Photo: Liquidphoto / iStock / Getty Images Plus

Before changing out your vehicle's antifreeze, be prepared with a disposal location. Search online for antifreeze recycling near you, and you'll likely see recycling centers, auto service stations, auto parts shops, and public landfills listed.

Call or check the websites of these locations to see if they accept the type of antifreeze you're getting rid of. If the antifreeze comes from your vehicle, collection sites will almost always consider it used. You can usually drop off your antifreeze at these locations for free. Sometimes, however, you’ll be charged a small disposal fee.

Not all disposal locations recycle. If you find one that does, it’s the more environmentally friendly option. Either way, properly disposing of antifreeze and other materials like bleach is always better than dumping it down a drain or into your yard.

  1. Don Your Safety Gear

    man with gloves pouring water into funnel in car tank
    Photo: Turnervisual / Getty Images

    Wear rubber gloves and eye protection to ensure that your skin and eyes don't come in direct contact with the toxic coolant fluid.

  2. Drain the Old Antifreeze

    Place a large drain pan under your vehicle and open the coolant drain plug. Consult your vehicle's manual to ensure you use a big enough pan. You may also need to flush the radiator system by running clean water through it.

  3. Transfer the Liquid to a Secure Container

    hand with glove holding gallon of antifreeze
    Photo: iStock / Getty Images Plus

    Open your plastic container and place a funnel in the mouth. A wide-mouthed jug will help keep the funnel steady and prevent spills, but you can also have a partner wear proper protection and hold the funnel for you. Carefully lift the drain pan and slowly pour the collected liquid into the container. Screw on the container lid and ensure an airtight seal.

  4. Clean Up Any Spills Immediately

    If you accidentally spill any antifreeze on the ground or floor, soak it up immediately with an absorbent material such as kitty litter, sand, or floor sweeping compound. These work better than rags or paper towels, which become saturated too quickly. Once the material has soaked up the antifreeze, use a shovel to transfer it into a sealable container for disposal.

    If you spill antifreeze on yourself, scrub it off with soap right away. Antifreeze on your clothes will come out during a regular laundry cycle.

  5. Transport the Antifreeze to a Disposal Location

    man carrying gallon of antifreeze into trunk
    Photo: andreygonchar / iStock / Getty Images Plus

    Once you've determined a disposal or recycling location that will accept your antifreeze, place your container or containers in a plastic crate or bag to catch any potential spillage that happens during transport. Secure the container in your vehicle with bungee cords or cables to keep it from tipping.

DIY vs. Hiring a Pro 

Whether you don’t have the time or tools or simply don’t want the hassle, you may decide to take your vehicle to an auto mechanic to change the antifreeze. A standard coolant change costs $100 to $200 and will include disposal of the used antifreeze. Or, you may be comfortable with changing the antifreeze in your vehicle but not transporting it. In that case, a local junk removal service may be able to take it off your hands along with any other stuff you’re cleaning out of your garage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Coolant and antifreeze are technically not the same thing. The difference between the two is the ratio of water to other chemicals. True antifreeze is mainly made up of either ethylene glycol or propylene glycol, while coolant comprises one part antifreeze and one part water. However, the terms coolant and antifreeze are often used interchangeably, even by pros.

You should never pour antifreeze down the drain or outside on the ground. Because it's highly toxic, antifreeze can still impact people and animals long after it drains. Antifreeze can contaminate water and sewage systems, and any that gets into storm drains and water supplies can attract animals and harm those that ingest it.

Need professional help with your project?
Get quotes from top-rated pros.
The homeowners guide to garbage collection services
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
A person removing a hazardous waste bin
May 28, 2024
May 28, 2024
Need to get rid of paint, solvents, or other chemicals? Use this guide on hazardous waste disposal costs to see what a professional service will cost.
Senior grandfather and granddaughter preparing food indoors in kitchen
Oct 30, 2023
Oct 30, 2023
The cost to demo a kitchen depends on its size, construction complexity, materials, and whether you DIY the job or not. This guide will help you budget better.
A mother and child at home
Nov 30, 2023
Nov 30, 2023
Factors like size, accessibility, and soil test results for oil leaks will determine the total cost of removing your oil tank.
Mother and son carrying a Christmas tree
Aug 17, 2023
Aug 17, 2023
Once the holidays are over, it’s time to get rid of your Christmas tree. Here are the various options for properly disposing of your well-loved Christmas tree.
Old cans of paint sitting on a table
May 30, 2024
May 30, 2024
Properly disposing of hazardous waste ensures the health and safety of the environment. Learn who disposes of hazardous waste and how to find them.
person pouring soil into wheelbarrow
Jun 12, 2024
Jun 12, 2024
After construction or a yard project, you may wonder how to dispose of dirt. Luckily, this article gives quick and convenient ways to get rid of all that dirt.
Share project details to get started.