How to Use Environmentally Friendly Antifreeze

Every motor vehicle needs an effective coolant to keep an engine from overheating and cooling system fluids from freezing in extreme weather. This is why we use antifreeze, which has a lower freezing point and higher boiling point than pure water. However, antifreeze has its issues. Even in very small doses, antifreeze can be poisonous to dogs, cats and children. Plus, petroleum and natural gas are used for the ethylene and propylene glycol ingredients in most antifreeze. Energy, often from non-renewable resources, is also consumed in making antifreeze. One solution is to use recycled antifreeze, which reduces the consumption of materials and energy and the amount of antifreeze discarded into the environment.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Propylene glycol antifreeze
• Antifreeze tester for propylene gycol
• Recycled antifreeze

1. Make sure your cooling system is in good working order with no leaks that might cause antifreeze to get into the ecosystem. Leaking antifreeze is also a danger to animals that might drink it.

2. After draining old antifreeze, take it to a recycling center or a hazardous materials disposal site. Do not discard it down the sewer.

3. If you're concerned about spilled or leaking antifreeze, purchase a propylene glycol-based antifreeze or coolant, such as Sierra or Prestone LowTox. While no antifreeze product is completely harmless, using propylene glycol antifreeze does provide an added margin of safety in the event of accidental ingestion.

4. 
   Antifreeze recycling services are available.

   You might have to look a bit to find recycled antifreeze since it's not usually found in stores and is primarily used by fleets. Recycling is done either by attaching a machine directly to a vehicle's cooling system or by processing used coolant on site or at a recycling plant. Recycling methods include filtration, ion exchange, reverse osmosis and vacuum distillation, often in combination. Mere filtration is not acceptable.

Tips & Warnings

• Use propylene glycol based coolants rather than ethylene glycol if you're looking for a safer and less toxic product.
• Recycled antifreeze can be even better than virgin antifreeze that's been blended with poor quality glycol stock.
• To protect children, pets and wildlife, tighten child-safe caps on antifreeze containers. Store antifreeze out of reach. Clean up spills immediately and never leave a pan of drained coolant lying around.

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