How to Dispose of Antifreeze & Coolant

Never Pour Antifreeze Down the Drain or on the Ground

Whether or not it's classified as hazardous, used antifreeze may never be poured down a sink, toilet, storm drain, or septic system, dumped on the ground, put in the trash, or mixed with used motor oil. Most antifreeze contains ethylene glycol, which is toxic and — because it's odorless and sweet-tasting — dangerously tempting to children and pets; swallowing even small amounts can cause kidney failure and death. Dumped antifreeze also contaminates groundwater, streams and drinking-water supplies, and improper disposal can bring fines.

Where to Take Used Antifreeze

The safest routes are a household hazardous waste (HHW) facility, an ABOP collection site (Antifreeze, Batteries, Oil, Paint — common on the West Coast), or a recycling center or landfill with a dedicated antifreeze tank. Some auto shops, service centers and auto-parts stores also accept used antifreeze — but acceptance isn't universal, and a store that takes used motor oil doesn't necessarily take antifreeze, so call ahead. Use the Earth911 locator (search "antifreeze" plus your ZIP) or your county HHW office to find a drop-off. Keep the antifreeze in a sealed, labeled container (the original jug is fine) and don't mix it with other fluids.

Is Antifreeze Recyclable?

Yes. Used antifreeze is commonly re-refined into new coolant by filtering out oil and metals and adding fresh additives, and some shops recycle it on site. State environmental agencies strongly recommend recycling over disposal. Important caveat: only clean, uncontaminated antifreeze can be recycled. Antifreeze that's been mixed with or contaminated by oil, fuel or solvents — or that contains heavy metals from a damaged cooling system — must be handled as hazardous waste and generally can't be recycled.

Antifreeze Types — and DEF Is Different

Antifreeze usually contains either ethylene glycol (clearly toxic) or propylene glycol (marketed as lower-toxicity and "generally recognized as safe" by the FDA, but still harmful to children and pets and still not for dumping). Don't confuse antifreeze with DEF (diesel exhaust fluid): DEF is a non-hazardous urea-and-water solution used in diesel emissions systems, goes in a separate tank, and is handled differently — though it also shouldn't simply be dumped in quantity.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I dispose of old antifreeze?

Take it to a household hazardous waste (HHW) facility, an ABOP collection site, a recycling center or landfill with an antifreeze tank, or an auto shop that accepts it (call first). Keep it sealed and labeled, don't mix it with other fluids, and find a site via the Earth911 locator or your county HHW program.

Can I pour antifreeze down the drain or on the ground?

Never. Antifreeze can't go down any drain, storm drain, septic system or toilet, on the ground, in the trash, or mixed with used oil. Ethylene glycol is toxic and sweet-tasting (dangerous to children and pets) and contaminates groundwater and drinking water — improper disposal is prohibited and can bring fines.

Where can I take used antifreeze?

HHW facilities and West Coast ABOP sites accept it; so do some recycling centers, landfills with an antifreeze tank, and participating auto shops/parts stores (acceptance varies — a store that takes used oil may not take antifreeze, so call ahead). Find locations via Earth911 or your county HHW office.

Is antifreeze recyclable?

Yes — used antifreeze is commonly re-refined into new coolant, and some shops recycle it on site. But only clean, uncontaminated antifreeze can be recycled; antifreeze mixed with oil, fuel or solvents must be handled as hazardous waste instead. See our motor oil & fluid recycling guide for other automotive fluids.

Is DEF the same as antifreeze?

No. Diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) is a non-hazardous urea-and-water solution used in diesel emissions systems, not engine coolant — it goes in a separate tank. It's much less toxic than ethylene-glycol antifreeze, but because it contains urea it still shouldn't be dumped in quantity; handle small amounts per local guidance.