Antifreeze Illegal in Garbage & Drains Household Hazardous Waste Drop-off is available twice a month by appointment only on Saturdays for household hazardous waste and/or universal waste. Acceptable items include over-the-counter and prescription medications, fluorescent light tubes, motor oil and used motor oil, antifreeze, paint, chemicals (pool and others), household cleaners, and pesticides. The majority of medications are accepted as household hazardous waste excluding controlled substances. Some items can be dropped off at the HHW Facility without an appointment and during hours of operation. These items include: sharps waste (syringes or lancets) properly packaged for safe disposal, (used) motor oil, filters and antifreeze. Proof of residency is required. To make an appointment to drop off your household hazardous waste on the next available Saturday at the Waste Management HHW Facility at 2880 Industry Street, please call Waste Management’s Customer Service line at (760) 439-2824. HHW must be dropped off by appointment – click for more info. Highly Toxic Antifreeze is highly toxic and can cause internal organ damage through skin absorption, so wearing gloves when handling it is highly recommended. Inhaling fumes can also cause dizziness. Dangerous Down Drains Never dump antifreeze into a sewer, storm drain, ditch, dry well, or septic system. This can cause serious water quality problems and harm people, pets, or wildlife. Poisonous to Animals Animals are attracted to antifreeze due to its sweet smell, but it’s highly poisonous, and licking or drinking even a small amount can kill an animal. Be sure that antifreeze is stored well away from animals and children, and that spills are completely cleaned up, and leaks are immediately repaired. Ways to Reduce Buy Smaller Bottles Conventional antifreeze lasts only two to three years. Buy it in small quantities to ensure that your antifreeze does not expire unused. Choose Extended-Life Antifreeze Conventional antifreeze lasts only two to three years. But different chemicals in the antifreeze made with extended-life coolants allow it to last five years or 150,000 miles. Heavy-duty, extended-life antifreeze lasts between 400,000 and 600,000 miles with the use of a one-time extender. Did You Know? 90,000 Animals Poisoned Annually As many as 90,000 pets and wild animals are poisoned annually by drinking spilled or carelessly stored products containing ethylene glycol, such as antifreeze. Manufacturers are starting to add bittering agents to deter animals, but there is still plenty of antifreeze out there that is sweet and attractive to animals.
