Antifreeze

Used antifreeze is toxic to humans and animals and should be managed carefully. Disposing used antifreeze into a river or stream can cause serious water quality problems. Dumping antifreeze on the ground may contaminate groundwater and can also result in significant warming and/or melting of permafrost. Some of the contaminants that may be present in used antifreeze are benzene and heavy metals such as lead, mercury, cadmium, chromium, copper and zinc.

Tips

• Don't change your antifreeze until it's necessary.
• Never mix your antifreeze with solvents, oils, or other wastes.
  If your used antifreeze is mixed with other wastes, it can't be recycled.
• Use propylene glycol instead of ethylene glycol.
  Antifreeze/coolant is generally made from either ethylene glycol or propylene glycol. Propylene glycol is far less toxic than ethylene glycol. Propylene glycol is used in other products besides antifreeze such as food, cosmetics, and certain medicines. New propylene glycol has a lower toxicity to plants and animals. However, used propylene glycol may still contain some hazardous containments (gas and heavy metals). Propylene glycol appears to have a similar performance to ethylene glycol for freeze protection and some research has shown that propylene glycol may be less corrosive to cast iron. If projects or specific equipment in your village require antifreeze, talk to the project manager or the manufacturer about using propylene glycol instead of ethylene glycol.

What you can do with your used antifreeze

	Purchase an antifreeze recycling machine (click here for extensive information)
	Ship it out of your community (click here for extensive information)

Links for further antifreeze information

EPA: Anti-Freeze

Antifreeze Fact Sheet