Safe Ways to Dispose of Gasoline

Gasoline is used worldwide for various purposes such as a fuel in internal combustion engines. It helps run our cars, thereby enabling us to do our everyday work. It also helps take care of our gardens by powering the garden tools. It is also used to run boats, motorbikes and others. However, it can be dangerous if not handled or disposed of properly, as it contains hazardous chemicals in various amounts. It can have a significant impact on the environment, both globally and locally. It can get exposed to the environment in the form of liquid and vapors resulting from leakage and handling at the time of manufacturing, and also from spills of storage tanks. Gasoline should only be used for its sole purpose and stored only when needed. One should consider the following ways when disposing of gasoline.

✦ Gasoline should be placed in approved and labeled containers for proper disposal.

✦ Gasoline can be used in your vehicle if its type matches with the kind you use in the vehicle. It can be poured into the fuel tank of a gasoline-powered car or truck by using a funnel. Check for manufacturer's recommendations.

✦ The fire department can also be contacted and informed about the safe disposal of gasoline. They may be able to take it or tell you about a licensed disposal site in your place.

✦ There are organizations that can assist one to dispose of gasoline in a safe way. Check the government section in yellow pages to locate organizations regarding recycling center and hazardous waste disposal center that can take old gas. Their services will cost you some amount, but prevention is always better than suffering the consequences of disposing gasoline dangerously.

✦ Old gasoline cans should be immediately filled with water and taken to a recycling center. If there is no center available around your place, contact any other local service station.

✦ You can also contact your local automotive parts store or auto mechanic. There is usually a fee for disposal.

✦ You can also dispose of gasoline by mixing it with fresh gas in a lawn mower. This will dilute the gasoline. The more the gasoline is diluted, the better the mower will operate.

✦ The household rags soaked with gasoline or oil-based paints and solvents should be dried out in the air before disposing of in the garbage.

✦ Avoid disposing of gasoline or oil mixtures for two-stroke cycle engines in the same manner as mentioned above for cars or trucks.

✦ Before using gasoline in your vehicle, make sure that the gas is in a proper condition.

✦ Never keep gasoline near heat, sparks, and flames.

✦ Gasoline should not be disposed by pouring it onto the ground or into a sewer, drain, rivers, lakes or other waterbody or put into trash. These actions are environmentally harmful and may result in a fire, explosion, or surface and groundwater contamination. Also, penalties may be associated with improper disposal.

✦ Avoid disposing of gasoline in conventional waste water treatment plants and septic systems.

Containers that are left unattended for several years should be discarded to avoid the risks of keeping flammable substances around.