How to Dispose of Old Gasoline? Reuse and Recycle options

Gasoline is present in our lives as fuel for every type of machine that has an engine. It is a powerful fuel, but if it is left in the air it degrades or becomes polluted. So the question arises how to dispose of old gasoline?

Gasoline that is in sheds, idle vehicles, or broken lawnmowers should be discarded after a period of time. When you find old gasoline, chances are you don't know how long it has been there. For this reason, you need to learn how to dispose of gasoline. Because it is a liquid that can be potentially hazardous.

How long does gasoline last?

Gasoline can spoil, and normally the useful life of gasoline is up to six months. Diesel, on the other hand, can last up to one year, and after this time, it should ideally be discarded to avoid accidents.

Keep in mind that it takes about a month for gasoline to get from the refinery to the gas tank, so it is always important to consider this extra time. If the gasoline is old but clean, it may be usable, but its chemical properties change over time.

Old gallons of gasoline can cause operational problems in the engine. If the vehicle has been idle for a long time, it is ideal to check the quality of the gasoline before starting the engine to avoid problems.

Tips before disposing of gasoline

If the old gasoline is contaminated or you are not confident that it is safe for your engine, it is best to dispose of it. This is a toxic substance, so it should not be disposed of in the trash or down the sink, so keep these tips in mind:

• Do not throw it in the garbage: this is a highly flammable liquid, and you could cause a fire in the garbage chute or landfill.
• Do not burn it on your own: this could cause injury or even death if you are not careful.
• Avoid pouring it down the sink or toilet: this can be very harmful to the environment because one gallon of gasoline can contaminate a million gallons of water. Also, if you dispose of gasoline in the wrong way this will be illegal.
• Prevent it from evaporating: the vapors generated by gasoline can cause various health problems and can even be fatal. You should never leave gasoline in an open container waiting for it to evaporate because it could represent a great risk.

Is it possible to recycle old gasoline?

Old gasoline must be reused or recycled because it cannot be taken to a landfill. Occasionally some service stations may take the old gasoline and arrange for its recycling.

Which gasoline is usable?

We must determine if the gasoline can still be used. To do this, we will need to pour some gasoline into a clear glass container for examination. Normally we will observe a liquid that is clear and free of contaminants.

Over time, it darkens and appears muddy or rust-colored, developing a sour or pungent odor. To determine if it is in good condition, the simplest test is to compare it with new gasoline to determine if it has any contaminants.

What to do before reusing it?

With old gasoline, it is ideal to filter it with a coffee filter to remove small particles. In addition, it is convenient to dilute it with new gasoline in a ratio of 1:5, so that it can be used in small engines such as lawnmowers or small boats.

For vehicles, always mix, making sure that less than half of the tank is old gasoline. The rest should be filled with new gasoline and topped up with the fuel additive for best results.

Tips for removing gasoline from a car

If the gasoline is very old and cannot be reused, it is best to remove it from the vehicle. To remove it from the tank, it is best to use a hand pump and a hose. It is not advisable to use manual suction with the mouth because it can be risky and you may end up inhaling or swallowing the gasoline.

This can be a serious medical emergency, so avoid this method. Most modern automobiles have a siphon-proof filter in the gas tank, so you may need to take the vehicle to a mechanic to remove the gas.

Where Can I Dispose of Old Gasoline?

There are several places to dispose of gasoline that you no longer use. Keep in mind that most household hazardous waste or HHW facilities will accept it.

However, you should be sure to call ahead to find out if they take this type of waste and if they charge a handling fee. On the other hand, there are also local recycling centers, which accept vehicle fluids, so it is worth finding out beforehand.

Another option may be to give it to the local fire department, as they will arrange for it to be sent to an appropriate facility for handling. However, not all centers will accept used gasoline.

As a last option, you can go to an automobile repair shop. If the gasoline is free of contaminants, they will accept it without any inconvenience.

How to Safely Dispose of Gasoline?

In order for you to dispose of used gasoline properly, the following safety tips are ideal:

• Use a safe container: Gasoline should always be carried in a safe container which should be made of heavy plastic. Make sure it has a UL or FM symbol, and should never be transported in plastic milk jugs, glass, or small plastic containers.
• Prevent it from moving: when transporting gasoline in a vehicle, we must prevent it from moving. We must drive carefully to prevent it from overturning.
• Remove from the car: when you arrive at the recycling facility, always remove the can from the vehicle. Remember never to fill the container with more than 95% gasoline, to allow the vapors to expand.
• Clean up if spilled: In the event that gasoline is spilled, you will need to clean it up immediately. The best way to do this is with kitty litter to soak it up. And this will also need to be taken to a disposal or recycling facility.

Can gasoline be used with water?

It can be normal for gasoline to become contaminated with water, and water can make it unusable and cause engine damage. However, the water can be removed before disposing of the gasoline by pouring the gasoline into a clear container and letting it sit.

The water will settle to the bottom, and then you can pour or siphon out the gasoline at the top. You will need to leave some of the gasoline in the container so that there is no water in the gas that is drawn out.

There is also the option of using chemical isopropanol, which will sink to the bottom of the tank and absorb the water. This combines to create a liquid that will not damage the engine. This is a fuel dryer method, but this will only work well when there is a small amount of water in the gas tank.