Community Forums

George Schweikle · 02-10-2016, 06:06 AM

I change the brake fluid on our motorhome every few years However, the local auto parts stores that accept used motor oil for recycling will not accept brake fluid. I can use the once a year hazardous waste disposal day provided by our city, but I wonder if anyone has found a more convenient way to dispose of old brake fluid?

twinboat · 02-10-2016, 06:57 AM

Popular Mechanics says to pour it in a pan of kitty litter and let it evaporate over time.

Keep it away from animals though.

Plastic soda bottle for me, then in the trash.

dpinvidic · 02-10-2016, 07:34 AM

Check fof local hazardous waste stations. People always have oil, battetued, CFL to fudpose of.

Regards,

Dan

Selah · 02-10-2016, 08:09 AM

First, thank you for not mixing the brake fluid with your motor oil for recycling.
Second, Twinboat has the recommended method.

Happy Prospector · 02-11-2016, 08:48 PM

I just put it in a old coffee can and stuff it with paper towels and stick it in the garbage dumpster.

**CountryFit** · 02-11-2016, 11:13 PM

what makes brake oil unrecycleable? i thought wasted oil, transmission fluid, brake fluid, gear oil... are all oil based liquid and can be processed. does anyone know THE answer?

1bigmess · 02-11-2016, 11:18 PM

It can be recycled, I just think that many places don't.

Maybe contact a brake shop near you?

Mr_D · 02-12-2016, 12:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Happy Prospector

I just put it in a old coffee can and stuff it with paper towels and stick it in the garbage dumpster.

Where do you find a coffee can now? All I can find are plastic.

Bigd9 · 02-12-2016, 06:27 AM

Very interesting question George. Here is what Lexington, Ky indicates is the best method for disposal of brake fluid in that city.
LexingtonKy.gov : Household Hazardous Waste

Doesn't Lexington have disposal holding sites? I believe Winchester does, but not sure if they accept all HHW's or just some of them. You have to be a city resident to use it.

I wish manufactures would be required to clearly state what proper disposal practices are for anything they make. Kind of cradle to grave approach to manufacturing.

twinboat · 02-12-2016, 07:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigd9

Very interesting question George. Here is what Lexington, Ky indicates is the best method for disposal of brake fluid in that city.
LexingtonKy.gov : Household Hazardous Waste

Doesn't Lexington have disposal holding sites? I believe Winchester does, but not sure if they accept all HHW's or just some of them. You have to be a city resident to use it.

I wish manufactures would be required to clearly state what proper disposal practices are for anything they make. Kind of cradle to grave approach to manufacturing.

Having fifty states with a bunch of regulatory agencies and then the Federal governments complicated rules, I don't think the manufactures have a chance of clearly stating any disposal practice.

Thats why " STOP days "( Stop Throwing Out Polutants ) has become so popular. They hire HazMat companies to handle it.

Hit_the_Rhod · 02-12-2016, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigd9

Very interesting question George. Here is what Lexington, Ky indicates is the best method for disposal of brake fluid in that city.
LexingtonKy.gov : Household Hazardous Waste

Doesn't Lexington have disposal holding sites? I believe Winchester does, but not sure if they accept all HHW's or just some of them. You have to be a city resident to use it.

I wish manufactures would be required to clearly state what proper disposal practices are for anything they make. Kind of cradle to grave approach to manufacturing.

Wow! I can't believe how that site tells you to dispose of Antifreeze!

If recycling is not feasible, the homeowner may dilute 2 parts water to 1 part antifreeze and discharge to the sanitary sewer.

I would never consider doing that, and I wonder how many of the other recommendations would stand up in a court of law after you receive a citation!

1bigmess · 02-12-2016, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hit_the_Rhod

Wow! I can't believe how that site tells you to dispose of Antifreeze!

If recycling is not feasible, the homeowner may dilute 2 parts water to 1 part antifreeze and discharge to the sanitary sewer.

Who would be around to see the average automobile owner that performs routine maintenance on their own car(s) pour the properly diluted mixture down their toilet? How often would this be happening nowadays? My guess is the advice wouldn't have been given if it was a problem at the sewage treatment plant.

George Schweikle · 02-12-2016, 08:39 AM

Hi Bigd9,

Thanks, I already know about our local hazardous waste disposal days. I posted the question here just to see if anyone had found a different (approved) disposal process. However tempting it is to combine brake fluid with my recycled motor oil, I'm just not gonna do this.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigd9

Very interesting question George. Here is what Lexington, Ky indicates is the best method for disposal of brake fluid in that city.
LexingtonKy.gov : Household Hazardous Waste

Doesn't Lexington have disposal holding sites? I believe Winchester does, but not sure if they accept all HHW's or just some of them. You have to be a city resident to use it.

I wish manufactures would be required to clearly state what proper disposal practices are for anything they make. Kind of cradle to grave approach to manufacturing.

**CountryFit** · 02-12-2016, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1bigmess

Who would be around to see the average automobile owner that performs routine maintenance on their own car(s) pour the properly diluted mixture down their toilet? How often would this be happening nowadays? My guess is the advice wouldn't have been given if it was a problem at the sewage treatment plant.