Thursday, September 4 2008

AS THE floods in recent weeks have taught us, proper disposal of waste, particularly of the type generated by your motor vehicle, is important. Items like old tyres and batteries, used motor oil and even leftover lacquer-based paint are hazardous to the environment, posing a threat, particularly in times of natural disaster.

While there are as yet no recycling laws in this country to compel us to dispose of certain types of waste in the correct way, in the interest of maintaining a clean, safe environment here are some important guidelines for disposing of hazardous home waste.

USED OIL AND FILTERS

Use an oil drain pan with a tight-fitting lid to keep the oil inside until you’re ready to deal with it.

This means you only have to handle the oil every other oil change. It also has a grate to hold the filter to allow it to drain completely. Let it drain several hours, or better yet, overnight.

Oil can be purchased in gallon jugs instead of single quarts, making it easy to reuse the jugs. Buy this size if you can find it. If you do buy your motor oil in quarts, remember to drain the last few drops of oil out of each plastic quart bottle.

An hour of draining upside down, multiplied by the residue of four other quarts (one oil change’s worth), is often a couple of fingers of oil. Save this for your oil can or for topping off the lawnmower.

PAINT AND GASOLINE

Most automotive paint used in the aftermarket is solvent-based, either enamel or lacquer. (A lot of new cars are painted at the factory with waterborne paint systems.) If you have a secure, well-ventilated place, one that isn’t likely to start a fire or poison children or pets, for small quantities of leftover or contaminated paint thinner and gasoline, just leave the can open in a safe, warm place until it dries completely. The gasoline additive MTBE is turning into a major issue as a groundwater contaminant.

BRAKE FLUID

Brake fluid is alcohol-based. It’s toxic when ingested. When bleeding brakes, catch the runoff in a jar.

Brake fluid from a jar that’s been opened for more than a few months probably has absorbed enough water to reduce its boiling point past the point of safety. To dispose of new or unused brake fluid, pour it into a container of cat litter.

The brake fluid will evaporate within a few days. As with paint, keep this away from pets and children, and any source of ignition.

BATTERIES

The toxic lead in car batteries can contaminate groundwater. Fortunately, batteries are recyclable. Both the sulfuric acid and the lead plates are reusable with only a modest amount of processing.

Here is best advice for reducing the amount of waste around your home:

- If you properly maintain your charging system, the battery will last longer.

- Buy only as much paint or solvent as you need for a project.

- Buy brake fluid in eight-ounce bottles instead of quarts to keep it from going bad.

- Keep your air cleaner fresh and well sealed to prevent airborne dirt from contaminating your engine oil.