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DISCUSSION => General Topics => Topic started by: bmwman91 on April 11, 2012, 02:58:18 PM

Title: Where To Recycle Brake Fluid?
Post by: bmwman91 on April 11, 2012, 02:58:18 PM

So, I have like a gallon of brake fluid sitting around from a decade of bleeds & flushes. I can't find anywhere to take it though. As tempting as it would be to mix it in with the used motor oil that the city will recycle, I'd like to avoid doing that if possible. Shops & parts stores don't want the stuff, and I can't think of any hazardous waste places to take it.

Where do YOU get rid of your spent brake fluid?

Title: Where To Recycle Brake Fluid?
Post by: DesktopDave on April 11, 2012, 06:15:56 PM

I go to my mechanic.  He's always taken it in the past.

Title: Where To Recycle Brake Fluid?
Post by: keflaman on April 11, 2012, 10:00:47 PM

I throw all my petroleum products in one container and drop it off at Autozone when it's full.

Title: Where To Recycle Brake Fluid?
Post by: DesktopDave on April 12, 2012, 05:37:29 PM

Is DOT4 really a petro product?  I don't think it's really a hydraulic oil.  If it was, water wouldn't mix with it like it tends to do.  That's a good question...

...so I did some research (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brake_fluid), and found that DOT 3 & 4 are glycol ethers.   I don't know much about chemistry, but it seems like an alcohol based solvent akin to paint solvents.  I'm told (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waste_oil) it meets the criteria for "waste oil" and, just like Keflaman says, is best mixed into used motor oil and dropped off at a recycling facility.

Title: Where To Recycle Brake Fluid?
Post by: bmwman91 on April 12, 2012, 06:11:11 PM

Alrighty, good to know. Thanks!

I am using Silicone-based fluid (ATE blue/amber) now, but I guess it is the same deal.