Antifreeze Facts

• Antifreeze is added to your radiator. Antifreeze keeps your radiator fluid from freezing when it is very cold and keeps your car from overheating on very hot days. Antifreeze is commonly ethylene glycol and is designed to lower the freezing point and to raise the boiling point of the radiator fluids.
• Radiators should be flushed every one to two years in order to maintain peak system performance. Used antifreeze must be handled carefully. The preferred method of handling is recycling.
• Recovered antifreeze is recyclable and should not be placed in garbage, storm drains or sewer systems
• Ethylene Glycol has a sweet smell and taste which is attractive to children and pets and is highly toxic. Drinking ethylene glycol will result in depression followed by heart and breathing difficulty, kidney failure, brain damage and even death. Used antifreeze may also contain metals, such as copper, zinc, and lead. All antifreeze, new and used, must be safely stored in order to avoid tragic consequences.
• Improperly disposed antifreeze can flow into waterways where it can kill fish and other animals. It can seep through the soil and into the groundwater.

Recycling used antifreeze

• Used antifreeze is filtered and the additives replaced resulting in antifreeze that meets or exceeds the ASTM standards for ethylene based engine coolants. The used antifreeze can also be used as airplane de-icing solutions or to keep coal from freezing together.
• Businesses and governments with fleet operations may consider purchasing antifreeze recycling equipment that can be used onsite. Smaller operations may wish to make arrangements with an antifreeze recycler to process their antifreeze or establish a relationship with one of the smaller, independently operated, traveling processors. Antifreeze from commercial operations may be regulated as a hazardous waste.
• Do not contaminate antifreeze with engine oil, brake fluid, transmission fluid, hydraulic fluid, gear oil, solvents, or fuels.