Gasoline is a constant in our lives. It fuels our cars, boats, leaf blowers, lawn mowers, and generators. It is powerful when it is being used, but gasoline that sits around eventually degrades or becomes contaminated. You can find old gas in idle vehicles, broken lawnmowers, docked boats, and gas cans tucked in shed corners. After a while, you will need to dispose of the gasoline.
When you stumble across old gasoline, you might not have any idea how long it’s been sitting. Even though this old gas may still be useable, albeit with some precautions, it can be hazardous to deal with. Learning how to dispose of gasoline has many variables you need to watch out for, yet is important for maintaining a healthy home and environment.
It may be surprising to learn that gasoline can actually “go bad.”
The research firm J.D. Power reports regular vehicle fuel remains useable in your gas tank for up to six months and diesel can last up to a year. But because the time it takes to get from a refinery to your gas tank can be up to a month, the gas in your idle vehicle may be even older than you think.
Old, but clean, gas is usable, although it may degrade and not fire as efficiently as new gas because the chemical properties change over time. Any old gallons gas in a vehicle can cause operational problems. It’s best to check the quality of the gas from an idle vehicle before firing up the engine.
If your old gas is contaminated, or you don’t trust it’s safe in your engine, discard it. Since gasoline is a toxic substance, you can’t just toss it in your trash or dump it down your sink. You also do not want to throw old gas in a dumpster rental. Gas, oil, and other vehicle fluids can be quite harmful to humans, animals, and the environment when handled incorrectly and is toxic when ingested.
Since it is highly flammable, it can catch fire or even explode. If place a container of gas in your regular trash pickup, it could combust in the trash truck or landfill. These types of fires are dangerous to both truck operators and the nearby environment. Therefore, a local government will likely require you to dispose of old gas at specialized facilities
Combustion from a fuel system (like gas) leads to a large landfill fire which is notoriously difficult to contain and toxic substances release into the air and nearby water.
You should never dispose of gasoline by burning it yourself. This is dangerous and can lead to injury or death.
You also should not dispose of old gasoline by pouring it down your sink or toilet, onto dirt or grass, or into a storm drain. Not only is this very harmful to the environment and our water supply, but it is also illegal. A gallon of gasoline is enough to contaminate one million gallons of water. Cleanup of the soil and water is expensive and difficult.
Finally, you may run across the advice to simply open up the gas container and let it evaporate instead of taking it for disposal. This is a dangerous idea.
According to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, gasoline vapors causes nausea, vomiting, dizziness, headache, and unconsciousness. Excessive exposure can be fatal. Gasoline vapors are also flammable and can concentrate in indoor areas. You should never leave gasoline out to dry up.
Since you can’t put gasoline in with your regular trash collection or take it to a landfill, you’ll have to reuse it or recycle it. Perhaps a local gas station or recycling center will take the old gas you have.
First, you should determine if the gas you have is still usable. Carefully pour some of the gasoline into a clear glass container to examine it. It should be clear and free of contaminants. It should also smell normal.
Gas darkens with age and looks almost muddy or rust colored. It slowly develops a sour or pungent smell.
If you unsure whether the gasoline is usable, compare it to fresh gas to determine if it has any contaminants. Do not use it if it contains any dirt or rust or has discolored.
Before reusing, strain old gasoline using a coffee filter to remove any small particles. For best results, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation recommends you dilute it with fresh gasoline before reusing it in an engine so the old gas is in a 1:5 ratio with the new added gasoline. The diluted gas is best used in small engines such as lawnmowers or small boat engines.
If you want to use a diluted mixture of old and new gas in a vehicle, mix in a fuel additive for better performance. Again, you’ll want to dilute it.
Determine your gas tank’s capacity. The old gas should not be more than half of this capacity. Add new gas to fill it up and top off with the fuel additive for best results.
If your gas is unusable, you’ll have to dispose of it. It is of course easier to deal with gasoline if it is in a storage container. Gasoline in an idle car, lawn mowers, or boat is a bit trickier to remove.
You’ll need to siphon the gas out of the tank. The safest way to do this is with a manual pump and a hose. Experts do not recommend manual suction using your mouth.
This is risky and can lead to inhaling or swallowing the gasoline. This is a serious medical emergency, so avoid this method if you can.
Most modern cars have a siphon-proof filter in the gas tank. You may need professional help to drain the gasoline from a newer vehicle.
Only transport gas in a safe container. According to the National Ag Safety Database, your container should be made of heavy plastic and marked with an Underwriters Laboratories (UL) or Factory Mutual (FM) symbol.
Gas should never be transported in plastic milk jugs, glass containers, or small plastic containers that have held other automotive liquids or other liquids like cooking oil. These containers are not sturdy enough, cannot handle the expansion of the gasoline, and may degrade quickly causing leaks in the container.
Don’t ever fill the gas container while it is in your vehicle or the bed of a truck. Only fill it when it is on stable ground.
When you are transporting gasoline in your vehicle, secure it so the gas can does not move, slide, or tip over. Drive carefully to avoid sudden stops that could upset the gas can.
Do not leave the can in your vehicle when you arrive; remove it immediately. Don’t fill a gas can more than 95% full to allow for the expansion of fumes, and never smoke near an open gas container or when transporting gasoline in your vehicle.
In the event of a spill, be sure to clean it up immediately. Do not use a hose to wash away the fuel. This only spreads the gasoline to a larger area and can contaminate the nearby ground and water or enter into a storm drain.
The best way to clean up spilled gasoline is to use kitty litter to soak it up. Use a flat shovel to scoop the contaminated litter into a heavy-duty trash bag. It should not be placed in your trash, but taken to a disposal or recycling facility.
Since you can’t put gasoline in your trash, take it to a facility that can properly and safely handle it. Don’t worry about using your heavy-duty gas container. You’ll be able to empty the gasoline into a larger tank and bring your own container back home. These resources offer recycling or disposal services in your community:
Most HHW facilities will accept used gasoline. Call ahead or check on their website to find out if they accept your old gas and if they charge a fee. These facilities are often restricted to residents.
You can search on the gasoline page of Earth911 to find a recycling center near you. Recycling centers may charge a small fee when they accept vehicle fluids.
Many municipalities offer periodic collection events where they accept hazardous materials. Not all accept used gasoline. Read through their list of acceptable items before heading out.
Some fire stations allow you to drop off old gasoline. They send the gasoline for to the proper recycling facility for proper disposal. Not all fire departments offer this service, so check with your local station before taking your used gasoline there.
If your used gasoline is free from contaminants, find an auto repair garage near you that would be happy to take it off your hands.
Gasoline is sometimes contaminated with water. Any water in gasoline renders it unusable. It can damage an engine. Fortunately, there is an easy way to remove the water before you dispose of gasoline.
Simply pour it into a clear container and let it sit. The water will settle to the bottom. You can then pour or siphon off the gasoline on the top. You will have to leave some of the gas in the container to ensure no water is present in the gas you remove.
Alternatively, you can use a fuel dryer. The chemical isopropanol can be added to water-contaminated fuel. The alcohol will sink to the bottom of the tank and absorb the water. It combines to create a liquid that will not damage your engine.
Only use an isopropyl alcohol product and not rubbing alcohol. Rubbing alcohol contains too much water. The fuel dryer method is best used when there is only a small amount of water in the tank.
With any substance or material we use that ultimately needs to be disposed of, the best environmental approach is to reduce the amount you buy to begin with. The less you buy, the less impact it will have on the environment.
If you need to store gas for a period of time for use in a small engine, outdoor power equipment, or a lawnmower, keep it in a tightly closed government-approved fuel container. By properly storing your gasoline, you’ll ensure it’s safe to use for as long as possible.
To further its life, add fuel stabilizer to it. This extends the life of the gasoline up to 12 months. It allows you to use it when you need it rather than letting it breakdown or contaminate.
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