Hi,

I wanted to know if anyone knows of how to get rid of used car batteries and old car fluids such as transmission fluid, antifreeze or other coolants when you flush out the engines and radiators?

I'm basically looking to see if I could just drop off these items at a local auto parts store or would my town have a way of collecting these items.

Thanks.

This is kind of a sore subject for me. I operate a repair shop and you wouldn’t believe how many times during the summer when I come to work in the morning to find, that someone has left there waste oil or anti freeze at my door step.
Yes I have the facilities to store it but come on people I have to pay someone to haul it away. So at least ask before you do a midnight drop off and be willing to pay a couple of bucks towards having it properly disposed of.
There are some of the larger supply stores that will take the waste, if you have proof that you purchased the replacement fluids, batteries or tires from them. Places like Walmart, Car Quest, Napa and here at home Canadian Tire stores.
That’s an other point that gets me, the people that are dropping their waste at my door, are likely same people, that will drive across town to buy there oil at Costco for 50 cents a liter cheaper. Then get upset with me when I ask for a couple of bucks to take their old stuff.
Dan.

Canadian "EH"

Thanks Dan,

Yesterday I took some batteries to a Pep Boys and they told me to contact my local DPW department of public waste. So Now I've been lugging around 7 old car batteries in my truck for the last 3 days.

I'm going to stop by the local repair shop and see if they might take them for a fee, since you told me they do get charged to have them removed and I would have to pay the dpw something anyway.

Massachusetts has put in a state wide law that anyone who sells oil retail MUST take back the used product for free. Batteries have a deposit and seller must take old one back and refund your deposit. The other hazmats go town by town. Mine takes stuff twice a year for free. For a while they were charging for CRTs, mattreses, furniture and on and it was ending up all over the sides of the road so they changed that policy!

It's an important issue. I think folks should be contacting their elected people to get some univeral policy going on this. Tom
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Tom Greenleaf - MetroWest, Boston

I agree towns are charging higher property taxes and taking away more and more free programs. Our town put a weight limit on bulk day pick up with us to be every other week in the summer but now its 5 times a year and your restricted to 500 lbs.

I get tired of having politicians think they are business savey but yet can't even balance a budget. I guess this is why Bloomberg went to town when he was elected in NYC and had to cut a ton of stuff.

I really think the FBI should investigate all towns to see why some people do practically nothing yet take a ton of the towns money in salary. And all the little contractors pad pockets to get work

Our town is 1 mile square with 14k people we have 5 schools and our superintendent makes 130k year. Thats radiculas. In a small town I think the High School Principal should be the acting super, Give them another 10k for the extra work. And then we could save our recycling programs.

This is a real good area to be PROACTIVE instead of more costly RE-ACTIVE when we are all up to our butts in waste! I am active with my local representatives with ideas but it isn't enough. Automobiles make a lot of waste to repair build etc., but we need to act in all areas. Perhaps we should bring up this topic at the place for non automotive posts. Be well, and VOTE,
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Tom Greenleaf - MetroWest, Boston

Where I live we have some special recycling depots that you can bring your oil and antifreeze to, I believe some may even take batteries all at a small fee. Most batteries bought at a part store will charge a core, so make sure you return your old battery.
Wheels & Tires Shipped to your door Over 750 product lines of vehicle Accessories

I know here in Tucson,Az Checker Auto Parts will take used oil for free and old batteries they will give you a $3.00 gift card for each one. There is numer limit per week.

Dave

Big auto parts chains in many areas of the country will do this. The last time I checked Pep Boys does it around here.

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(This post was edited by Tom Greenleaf on May 14, 2009, 12:46 PM)

they buy batteries here in los angeles

they give you 5$ =DD

Here, in WA, they pay $10.00. I suppose that's why some low life stole both the batteries off of my camping trailer?
Loren
SW WA