How to Dispose of Old Gasoline? Step by Step Guide

Different countries and states have different laws regarding the disposal of old gases and other hazardous waste. Besides the legality of your disposal, having consideration for your environment is also essential. Below is a thorough guide, including the steps and precautions to take when disposing of old gasoline.

Step 1:

Start by putting gasoline into a clear container first. Over time and due to temperature, the gasoline may have watered down. Because water and gasoline will not mix, separating the two is easy. 

After you pour the gasoline into a different container, filter out the water with a rag. This will help catch the slightest gasoline traces and make the water safe for disposal. 

Step 2:

You will probably need to transport the gasoline to a nearby recycling center or other hazardous waste centers. In this case, make sure you use a gasoline-approved container only. 

Step 3: 

Depending on the state and country, you may have different options for where you can drop off the gasoline safely. One option is recycling centers that may recycle gasoline periodically and accept it only when recycling is possible.

The other option is Hazardous waste centers that only dispose of the gasoline safely without going through any recycling or reusing process. In some cases, the waste centers may be preoccupied already, and some may ask for payment for their service. It's best to check with your specific state or country and look up the center details before going.

Paid Disposal Services

These are rather pricey and may not be worth it if you only need to dispose of just a little gasoline. Such a service will often offer you to pick up the gas from your doorstep and take care of the complete process. However, it is only a good option when you have a lot of gasoline to take care of. 

What to do in the absence of disposal services

If you are not able to have the gasoline safely disposed of, you can keep it stored indefinitely, given that you follow some essential safety procedures.

First, make sure that you keep the gasoline tightly secured with a reliable lid on the container. To prevent further breakdown and any reaction, store it at a cool temperature only. 

Also, make sure that it is not stored in an easily accessible location like any indoor tables or shelves. It's best to keep it locked away in the garage or other workshop area you might have. 

What NOT to do when disposing of gasoline

While knowing how to dispose of the gasoline safely is important, it is equally important to know what not to do with the seemingly unusable gas. Even stale, broken-down gas can cause potential harm to both human safety and the environment's well-being. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

  • Simply throwing off the old gasoline in the trash is illegal and can cause substantial damage as it's still prone to ignition.
  • Never pour gasoline down your sink or other drains as these can contaminate the water system. Such activity can cause significant damage to animals, plants and rot away sewage drains. 
  • Keeping all gasoline cans safe is very important as they are prone to punctures and leakage. Make sure they are stored in a protected environment away from any sharp objects.