| It's spring and your honey-do list is growing as fast | | | | before draining the coolant. Make sure that drain pan |
| as the weeds in your lawn. If you want to get "clean | | | | is spotless and oil free - if even a small amount of oil |
| out the garage" off the list this weekend, there are a | | | | mixes with the coolant, it cannot be recycled. Follow |
| few things to keep in mind before you get started. | | | | manufacturer's instructions to remove the coolant |
| Even a quick clean in the garage can turn up a | | | | from the system or radiator and close off the oil pan |
| handful of hazardous chemicals. You need to find a | | | | when the liquid stopped draining. You should be able |
| safe way to get rid of these chemicals, or you will | | | | to take the used coolant to commercial car shops to |
| likely face a steep fine. Most of these household | | | | be recycled. Many shops have machines which distill |
| items cannot be poured down the drain, into the | | | | glycol from the used coolant, and then repackage the |
| toilet or set alongside your usual trash bags. | | | | clean coolant for resale. |
| Recycling laws vary among townships, counties and | | | | Paint and Gasoline |
| municipalities; the best first step is to contact the | | | | Most paints used around the house are |
| local Department of Public works or visit their | | | | solvent-based, and made from either enamel or |
| website. The department will be able to provide you | | | | lacquer. Very few municipalities will take paint or |
| with a print out of what can be recycled, how you | | | | thinners as waste. If you have a small amount of |
| can prepare the items for pick up or where to take | | | | paint, consider pouring it into a pan and allowing it to |
| them if the municipality does not recycle the item. | | | | dry then dispose of it with your household trash. |
| Batteries | | | | Make sure the paint is put in a well-ventilated area, |
| Large batteries, including those that power your car, | | | | cannot be disturbed by pets or children and is not |
| contain toxic lead and cannot be taken to the city | | | | near an open flame. A large amount of paint or |
| dump. There are a number of recyclable parts to | | | | gasoline will need to be disposed of through a |
| batteries, such as sulfuric acid and lead plates. These | | | | hazardous waste system. |
| can usually be reused with a small amount of | | | | Tires |
| processing. Most stores that sell these large batteries | | | | Rarely will a municipality take tires with regular trash |
| will recycle them for you. Sometimes car repair shops | | | | or during special pick up. Some areas use old tires to |
| will refund you part of the cost of the new battery | | | | fuel cement kilns. The burning tires reach such high |
| if you recycle the old one. | | | | temperatures that they will draw water out of |
| Brake Fluid | | | | limestone and transform it into cement. Some car |
| Brake fluid is alcohol-based and toxic if ingested or | | | | body shops will dispose of tires for you, but you |
| leaked into a waterway. If you are changing your | | | | may have to pay a small fee for the service. |
| car's brake fluid, be sure to catch the liquid in a | | | | The best way to reduce the amount of toxic |
| run-off jar. When the fluid has stopped draining, pour | | | | chemicals and other items around your home is to |
| the liquid into a container of cat litter and leave it out | | | | plan ahead. Keep your cars running smoothly and you |
| to evaporate for a few days. Keep it away from | | | | will be able to extend the life of your battery. When |
| children, pets and open flames while it is evaporating. | | | | you paint a room, purchase only the amount you |
| Coolant | | | | believe you will need for the project. Buy purchasing |
| You can come across coolant in a variety of places in | | | | less at the start, you won't waste money or toxic |
| your home - from your air conditioning system to | | | | chemicals. |
| your car's radiator. Grab a clean drain pan and funnel | | | | |