Gasoline, also known as petrol or gas, has many valuable applications when used in cars and other internal combustion engines. However, you must be very careful when disposing of old gasoline; it’s flammable and highly toxic if swallowed.
The best way to dispose of old gasoline is to contact your local waste management company or fuel supplier, who can safely remove the gasoline from your property and dispose of it environmentally friendly.
How Can I Safely Dispose of Gas
In this article, we will go through some of the safest ways to dispose of the gasoline already on your property.
1. A Local Collection Center
If you’re in an area with a population of at least 10,000 people (if not more), your city or county government may have a collection center where you can take old gas to be disposed of safely.
These centers should be listed on your local government website; search for a disposal center to find yours. Note that some communities do not accept motor oil—and if yours is one of them, try our next suggestion.
2. Take It To A Car Repair Shop
Many auto repair shops out there will happily dispose of old gas and/or motor oil free of charge. Look up car repair shops near you and call them to see if they’ll take it off your hands.
Just ask about any extra fees first, so you’re not surprised by anything when it’s time to pick up your vehicle! Also, note that different repair shops will have different requirements, so be sure to ask what their requirements are before going there.
3. Clean Out Your Vehicle And Take It To The Dump
If neither of those options works for you, try taking all of your old gas (and possibly some used motor oil) to a dump or transfer station in your area. Be sure to check with these facilities ahead of time, though—some do not accept gas or oil from individuals (due to environmental regulations).
In contrast, others may only take certain amounts at one time. For example, a particular location might limit you to bringing only 5 gallons at a time; any more than that, you’ll be directed to take it directly to an auto shop instead.
4. Donate It
Check with your local community or government agency to see if they accept donated gas and find out what you need to do to drop it off. Depending on where you live, there may be a waitlist—and if that’s the case, plan to make multiple trips until someone can pick up your donation.
You might also want to ask about recycling or reusing options that might be available. Your town’s Department of Public Works (or equivalent) is an excellent place to start looking for information and resources related to old gas.
5. Sell It
Even if you don’t drive a lot, you probably still have old gasoline lying around your garage or shed. Most people don’t know that it can be sold for a profit and isn’t tough to sell.
You just need to take a trip to your local gas station; any attendant will be able to help you find an interested buyer. Don’t tell them where you got it from, though, because they may be less than thrilled about taking a risk on a potentially stolen commodity.
6. Flush The Tank With Water
If you have a small amount of gas left in your tank, it is best to flush out all of the gas with water. This will prevent any gas from leaking out while transporting it to a proper disposal facility.
7. Transport The Tank
Once you have flushed out all of your old gas into a nearby drain, transport your tank over to a local waste facility that specializes in disposing of old gas tanks safely.
8. Use A Propane Purifier
If you are dealing with more than just a few gallons of old gas, then using a propane purifier is probably your best bet for safe disposal. These machines will remove all traces of any hydrocarbons from your tank so they can be disposed of safely at a waste facility.
9. Disposal Methods For Larger Amounts Of Gas
If you have a large amount of gas in your tank and need to dispose of it quickly, we recommend calling an emergency line or even 911 if needed! These companies will pick up your tank so that it can be disposed of properly without any issues!
Safety Precautions To Be Taken
Ventilation
You may be working in a garage or other enclosed area. Please make sure there is adequate ventilation to prevent any accidents from occurring.
Sharp Edges
Be aware of sharp edges on car parts and tools that could easily cut you if not handled with care. We don’t want you to suffer from any gas-related injuries!
Static Electricity
Make sure there are no sparks or static electricity present in your work environment as it could cause an explosion. Gas, sparks, and static electricity do not mix well, so take preventive measures before proceeding!
Frequently Asked Questions for Grease Disposal
Can I Mix Old Gas With New Gas?
The short answer to “can I mix old gas with new gas” is yes, you can. The slightly longer answer: It’s better not to. If your car has been sitting for a long time, mixing it with a small amount of fresh gas may allow you to drive again without having to take your vehicle in for repairs.
However, more often than not, adding just a bit of old gas to newer fuel will worsen by gumming up your fuel system even further.
Generally speaking, if you don’t know whether it’s okay to mix two types of gasoline and it’s easier or cheaper for you to buy a gallon of gas instead of adding some back into an existing container, then go ahead and grab that gallon at the store!
How Do You Know If Gas Is Bad?
To safely dispose of old gas, you must determine whether it is bad. You know your fuel is bad if it has a strong odor, a color other than clear, or if it has water in it. These characteristics mean that your fuel can be hazardous if you do not dispose of it properly.
Also, remember that some states have regulations and laws regarding how long gas can be stored before being disposed of. Contact your local municipality to find out if there are regulations regarding how long gas can be stored and how best to dispose of it.
How Long Does It Take For Gas To Go Bad?
The old saying timing is everything couldn’t be more accurate. So, let’s start with how long gas stays good before it starts to break down and develop bad (and dangerous) stuff.
According to most sources, when stored properly, gasoline can last anywhere from two weeks to two years. Unopened five-gallon containers will last much longer than what’s in your vehicle’s tank because they contain more volume of air than fuel; it’s also less likely that they will be exposed to sunlight or extreme temperatures.
However, once opened, gasoline should be used within six months due to evaporation and oxidation (unless you want pretty gross stuff growing in your gas).
Using a quality stabilizer like Sta-Bil will help prevent breakdown and extend shelf life. If you’re concerned about keeping gas for emergencies, purchase a fuel stabilizer like STA-BIL® – Carb & Choke Cleaner Fuel Stabilizer.
This product does not have any active ingredients but simply helps maintain gasoline for up to one year by preventing gum and varnish formation.
It does not neutralize acidity or prevent microbial growth but works by bonding to water molecules and removing them from the system so that no water is available for those pesky microbes to use in their metabolism process—essentially starving them out! This means your gasoline remains free of moisture, preventing microbial growth while allowing easy flow through an engine’s carburetor.
