Proper disposal of any kind of waste matter is a vital aspect of protecting yourself and your environment. This principle is even more crucial when we talk about disposing of stale or bad gas. Most people are aware of just how harmful gas leaks can be. Needless to say, you need to how to dispose of old gasoline—properly and safely!
Any incidents ever heard about gas spillage are followed by news of fires, contaminations, and general negative impacts on the environment. As an individual, whether you have some fuel at home for your car or if you have multiple gas containers for a business, it is your job to make sure that old gas finds its way to a sound disposal area.
In this guide, we’ll go through different aspects and methods to make the task simpler for you.
Does Stored Gasoline Go Bad?
Before we figure out how to dispose of old gasoline, the key question is whether gasoline goes stale or bad. The short answer is yes: it does. While a non renewable source of energy, is it derives from nature—thus very much prone to degradation.
How does gasoline go bad? There are many reasons why you are seeing those gummy formations floating in the gas tank:
- Contaminants: Dust, dirt, rust, and other particles find their way into the tank. The gas not only becomes impure, but these pollutants also degrade quality.
- Microbes: Another cause of gas becoming bad in storage is microbes. Bacteria and fungi are usually inevitable, and these grow fast due to temperature changes.
- Alcohol Separation: Water from the air gets into the tank, absorbs, and mixes into the gas. This may cause ethanol to separate from the gas and settle at the bottom.
Remember this: gas mostly consists of hydrocarbons derived from crude oil. It also has a mix of chemical additives for better stability and corrosion protection. That said, even the additives will not keep gas from going bad. And, you need to know how to get rid of old gas to avoid ruining any machinery.
How To Get Rid of Old Gas: What NOT To Do:
There are ways you should know how to dispose of old gasoline. Then, there are ways you need to steer clear of. Before we tackle the former, let’s look into the no-no’s of disposing gas:
1- Avoid dumping gas down your toilet or sink…
Gasoline is a toxic substance. If you dump it down the sink, it will end up in the environment—i.e. streams and soil. It will harm animals and other people—and getting rid of oil from the water supply
is quite costly.
2 – Never put gasoline in the trash…
You may have heard about the hack where you freeze used cooking oil, add it to a bag, and throw it in the trash instead of pouring it down the sink. However, this does not apply to gasoline. Gas is highly flammable, and it can easily combust in the landfill or even the trash truck itself.
3 – Do not burn gasoline yourself…
This is quite hazardous! Burning gas yourself can result in serious injuries—or can even result in a fatal incident. It can create a massive fire, the kind that is hard to control. Disposing gas by burning also results in harmful toxins set off in the air and water.
In conclusion, you may be putting other people’s lives and the environment at risk by treating old gas as regular trash, pouring it in the drain lines, and, worst of all, burning it as a means to disintegrate it.
How To Dispose of Gasoline in Small Amounts:
So, how to get rid of old gas safely? It is illegal to get rid of old gas improperly, as well as wholly unethical. Always opt for expert-defined ways to get rid of stale or bad gasoline. That said, your chosen method of getting rid of gas does depend on the quantity.
If you are dealing with a small amount of gas (the quantity most homeowners or small businesses have on their hands), then you can take it to a local waste disposal yourself. Bear in mind these tips when transporting old gas yourself:
- Always use gas cans approved by experts. No household plastic, glass, acrylic, or any other common materials to transport gas. Good-quality gas cans are much more secure.
- Next, try to place these cans in an open mode of transportation, like a pickup truck. Make sure you do not store gas cans with anything that is hot or easily flammable.
- Never ever put a gas can in the passenger area of your vehicle. Ideally, you should also steer clear of putting these in the back seat, even if you have only a few cans.
Additionally, make sure you are transporting old gas on a relatively cool day. Avoid taking the cans to the disposal on a hot day to minimize the risk of fumes and fire.
How To Dispose of Old Gasoline in Large Amounts:
When you have a bigger quantity of gas to deal with, the process of disposal needs more care. Take a look at the following guidelines.
1. Contact a local waste facility for hazardous materials
Find a local (usually run by the government/municipality) facility that accepts old gasoline. Some municipalities do collection events on occasion, especially for hazardous materials—but you need to make sure that they accept old gas.
2. Get in touch with a local reputable recycling center
You can look online or reach out to your local authorities to see if there are any approved recycling centers nearby. Just keep in mind that these centers might charge a small fee for accepting fluids and for gasoline disposal.
3. Give the old gas to the local fire department or auto shop
Certain fire stations and vehicle repair shops also accept old gas. They send this gasoline to a proper recycling facility. However, not all fire stations or auto shops provide this service, so it’s a good idea to confirm with them before you bring in the old gas.
Needless to say at this point, improper disposal of gas—that too in substantial amount—can cause great harm. You need to follow rules on how to dispose of gasoline with minimal risks.
Signs That You Need to Go for Gasoline Disposal:
Since you know how to dispose of gasoline, how about learning how to detect that the gas is old?
How can you say that it has ‘gone bad’, in storage or in the tank of a car or another machine? Use all
your senses to determine that the gas is stale or no longer of good quality. According to experts, these are the main signs that the gasoline needs quick disposal:
- Color and Clarity: Fresh and usable gas has a slight amber hue, and is very clear. If there’s fluid so cloudy that the tank walls are not visible, this gas may need to go.
- Smell: The odor of stale or ‘bad’ gas is not the typical chemical smell you may be familiar with. Instead, there will be a sour, slightly unpleasant odor.
- Contaminants: Inspect the bottom of the tank for any foreign debris. Of course, simple filtering may make the gas like ‘new in this case. However, in case you see rust, the gas may not be ideal to use.
- Impact on Machines: Does the ‘Check Engine’ light come on even though you just refilled the gas? Or is the machine performing poorly? Then the problem may lie with the gas.
Even one of these signs may be enough reason for you to ditch the old gas. If you keep on using it, you may be putting your car or any other machine at risk of damage.
Does ‘Recycling’ Old Gas Work?
Knowing how to dispose of gasoline is smart, but some people may want to use the old gas to save some money and minimize efforts. The question is: will you end up doing just that or will be end up with bigger troubles by reconditioning old gas?
Keep in mind that gasoline is very flammable and can be quite toxic. You will come across lots of online videos showing ways to filter old gas. Some of these suggest mixing it in small amounts with fresh gas.
Others recommend filtering out pollutants using a coffee filter or thin fabric. After that, they transfer the gas into a clear vessel and let it sit till any water settles at the bottom. Then, the gas is carefully poured into another container, leaving the water behind. Adding isopropyl alcohol to the reconditioned gasoline can get rid of any remaining moisture.
Are these methods ideal? The trust often is that what you filter out from the old gas is what made gas effective in the first place!
Ultimately, using this ‘recycled’ gas can lead to greater damage to your vehicle or machine. Or you may experience reduced engine performance. Try these methods at your own risk!
How to Slow Down Gas from Becoming ‘Old’
So, renewing and using old gas may be a futile attempt at saving some money. In fact, it may cost you. At the same time, learning how to dispose of old gasoline is also a sad time, especially when your gas was pretty much ‘new’. Why not consider keeping the gas from becoming old fast?
- It’s important to choose a container that is expertly and specifically made and approved for storing gas. Proper storage can enhance longevity and lower the chances of accidents too.
- Modern plastic fuel cans are perfect for this purpose since they are resistant to corrosion. Additionally, these cans help reduce evaporation and it is easier to keep the gas.
- You can find plastic gas cans in various sizes to suit your needs. Steer clear of old-style metallic gas cans—which can rust—as well as glass jars or any unapproved containers.
- Keeping your gas tank at a fixed temperature can slow down the growth of microbes in the gas tank. Ideally, you need to go for room temp—80 F or approx. 26 C—to store gas.
Moreover, keep your gas storage container in a well-ventilated area. Both low (room) temp and low humidity are ideal for storage, as you want to keep moisture from mixing with the gas.
Bottom Line: Keeping It Simple with Gasoline Disposal:
Keep yourself safe. Steer clear of trying complex methods for renewing old gas, or getting creative about getting rid of it. Instead, seek out how to dispose of old gasoline safely and soundly. This means keeping yourself safe from harm and making sure gas disposal does not impact your environment.
It is likely that your government or local energy department has defined rules and laws for disposing old gas. Get in touch with any facilities in your area that collect old gar or where you can drop off old gas. Make sure that they are approved by a ruling authority to collect gas.
Typically, gas is usable for three to six months, while premium fuel (like high-octane gas) can last nearly nine months. Of course, these timelines may be shorter if you do not store gas properly. Therefore, make sure that you get the most use out of gas by following the storage tips in this guide.
Finally, keep an eye out for stale or bad gas. If you have a large quantity of gas in the tank of a machine that you use often, then no worries. It is less likely to go bad fast. However, if you have gas in a can or in a machine tank—unused and stored for quite some time—then it’s time to dispose of it!