It’s a common practice to store your gas-powered lawn mower in the garage for the colder months and break it out again in the spring. But if you tucked that mower away in November with a full tank of fuel, you’ll be disappointed to know that gasoline is now too old to use. You can’t just dump it in the trash either. Read on to learn how to dispose of old gas quickly and safely so you can get things up and running again.
Safety note: Because old gasoline is considered hazardous waste, it’s important to be careful when handling it and that you dispose of it properly. We’ve included safety precautions throughout, but generally, you should always take your time when working with gasoline, keep it away from any heat source, and wear protective equipment like safety glasses and gloves. If you’re not confident you can safely dispose of old gasoline yourself, it’s best to call in a pro.
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Why Do I Have to Dispose of Old Gas?
Wondering whether the gasoline you have is considered ‘old’? Old gas is typically gas that is two months or older. Depending on the situation, it may be possible to recondition it and reuse it. If not, you need to dispose of it. Old gas smells a little stale or spoiled, so if you’re getting a weird odor, there’s a good chance it’s old. Another way to test it is to pour a small amount into a clear container and compare it to new gas. If the old gas looks darker than the new gas, you’ll know that it’s not usable as-is.
What Causes Gasoline to Go Bad?
After sitting for about two to six months, the gas degrades and loses its combustibility due to oxidation and evaporation—the different chemical compounds in gasoline tend to evaporate at different rates, which means the overall composition of the gas changes. When this happens, the gas won’t work as well, so your lawn mower could run weaker than usual or might not start up at all. Organic compounds and varnish can also form in old gas that will cause issues like clogs in your fuel filter and valves.
And if we’re talking about old gas in cars, the issues can be similar, but worse: Old gas can lead to clogs or deposits in gas lines, filters, carburetors, and the fuel injector. All of this can add up to some serious problems.
How to Make Gas Last Longer
Gasoline can be dangerous if not stored correctly. To keep your can of gasoline usable for as long as you can, make sure to store it in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. As gas is flammable, you’ll want to keep it far away from anything that gives off high heat—including your furnace, water heater, and the sun.
How Much Does It Cost to Dispose of Old Gas?
Generally speaking, many local hazardous waste disposal programs are free for households. In some areas, there are limits to the amount of hazardous waste you can dispose of for free, ranging from around 15 to 35 gallons. If you’re disposing of old gasoline for a business-related reason, the facility may charge a fee.
Although the disposal programs are free, you may have to buy a government-certified container to transport the old gas if you don’t already have one. These cost around $20 to $40.
On the other hand, you may opt to hire a local hazardous waste disposal company to do the work for you, especially if you’re nervous about safety or have a lot of old gas. Hazardous waste disposal services start at $50.
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Precautions to Take When Disposing of Old Gas
Before working with gasoline, it’s important to remember that it is highly flammable and toxic. When handling it, it’s a good idea to wear disposable gloves and safety glasses to avoid any gas splashing into your eyes or onto your skin. And to be extra safe, have some cat litter on hand to sop up any spills.
Make sure you keep the old gas in the right container until you’re ready to throw it away: This can be a UL-approved metal safety can that meets OSHA standards or a plastic gas container.
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Additionally, store the old gas away from kids, pets, heat sources, and ideally, away from the house. Heat sources include the sun, water heaters in the garage, furnaces, and space heaters. Keep any gas at least 50 feet away from anything that could cause a spark, like pilot lights on propane appliances.
How to Dispose of Old Gasoline
Because old gas is hazardous waste, you need to dispose of it through a local hazardous waste program. Doing so properly is important: According to the Utah Farmstead Assessment for Groundwater and Surface Water Protection, 1 gallon of gasoline can contaminate up to 1 million gallons of water.
You should never:
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Pour gasoline down storm drains
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Pour gasoline into septic systems
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Pour gasoline on the ground
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Throw away gas in regular garbage or recycling
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Mix gas with other types of liquids
In addition to contaminating the groundwater, spilled gasoline can damage the landscape, kill animals, and increase the risk of fires. In many places, it’s illegal to throw away gasoline anywhere except for hazardous waste facilities.
Below are some steps you can take to dispose of gasoline safely.
1. Recondition the Gasoline for Reuse If Possible and Desired
If you can’t recondition the gas or would prefer not to, continue to step three.
Reconditioning gas is only possible if it’s either uncontaminated or contaminated with water. It’s a great way to recycle and reduce your environmental impact. But before using reconditioned gas, consult your owner’s manual for the item you’ll power with the reconditioned gas.
You’ll also want to practice extreme caution here, take your time, and only recondition gas if you’re confident you can do so safely. If in doubt, it’s best to dispose of the old gas and get fresh gas.
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If your gas is uncontaminated, remove any particles that have settled in the gas. First, find a suitable container to pour the gas into, and place a coffee filter in it. You can secure the filter onto the container with an extra-large rubber band. Next, use a funnel to siphon the old gas through the filter. You should do this outdoors on top of a tarp for easy clean-up in case you accidentally spill any gas. Take your time and wear gloves and eye goggles as a safety precaution.
Be careful with the coffee filter after using it because it will be highly flammable. After you’re done, place the filter into a metal container with a lid, and then fill the container with water. You’ll then need to call your trash service and see if they can do a special pickup for the container, take it to your local hazardous waste facility, or call a hazardous waste pickup service.
Once you have filtered your old gas, add five parts of new gas for one part old gas to the container.
2. Find Your Local Hazardous Waste Disposal Program
Find your local hazardous waste disposal program by searching the internet or by calling 1-800-RECYCLE (1-800-732-9253). Your local program can inform you of specific guidelines they have for gasoline disposal.
3. Place the Old Gas Into the Proper Container
To remove old gas from a lawn mower or a car, use a siphon hose. Place the hose in the gas tank and the container, and pump the siphon until the tank is empty. Whenever possible, it’s best to work on a tarp so you don’t accidentally spill anything onto the ground.
Make sure that you don’t overfill your container, as it shouldn’t be more than 95% full. When you’re done, tighten the cap very well.
If you’ve accidentally spilled gas onto your clothes, you should change as soon as possible. Blot the spill with a rag, and then put baking soda on it. Use a liberal amount and make sure that the stain is completely covered. Soak the clothing in a tub with a 1:1 mixture of vinegar and water, and finally, wash it in your washer and dryer.
If you accidentally get gas onto your skin or into your eyes, take quick action. Rinse your eyes with lukewarm, gentle water for five minutes with your eyes open. If gas gets onto your skin, wash it off thoroughly. If irritation persists or gets worse, seek medical attention.
4. Transport the Old Gas to the Hazardous Waste Disposal Center
Take the container of gas and place it in a sturdy box so it won’t spill or fall over while you’re driving. Put the box in the trunk of your car, where it’s away from you, the passengers, and heat from the sun. Never smoke while you’re driving with gas in the car or while you’re near the containers.
5. Dispose of the Gas at the Center
Depending on your local center, you may pour out the old gas and keep your container, or they may ask you to hand off the container to a worker. In the latter scenario, you won’t be able to keep your container.
DIY vs. Hire a Pro
If handling gasoline seems like a task that you don’t want to deal with, hire a waste removal company in your area. Just be sure to tell them that you have hazardous waste, not regular residential waste.
When you hire a pro, you can be sure they’ll dispose of the old gas safely, and you won’t have to give it another thought.
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