How to Recycle Sawdust as an Automotive Absorbent

Sawdust is the fine grain waste that comes from cutting wood. Automotive oil, transmission fluid and other liquids can soak into the ground and contaminate the soil and ground water. Recycle sawdust when you use it to clean up oil and other automotive fluids as an eco-friendly use for this wood waste.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Sawdust
• Large trash bags
• Shovel or scoop
• Broom
• Dust pan
• Trash can

1. Scoop the sawdust into trash bags with a shovel or scoop. Tie off the trash bags as tight as possible.
2. Store the trash bags between uses in a dry area away from open flames. A garage or basement is a good example of a place to store sawdust.
3. Open the bag when automotive fluid spills or drips from a vehicle.
4. Sprinkle the sawdust over the spill. Cover the entire area of the spill with 1 to 2 inches of sawdust.
5. Allow the sawdust to absorb the liquid. This normally takes 10 to 15 minutes, depending on the type of sawdust. Move the sawdust to see if the spill is absorbed. If it has not been absorbed into the sawdust, wait another 10 to 15 minutes.
6. Sweep up the sawdust with the broom and dust pan. Dump the fluid-soaked sawdust into a trash can. Tie off the sawdust bag and store it for the next use.

Tips & Warnings

• Some large cities have regulations about how to dispose of automotive liquids. Please consult your city government before throwing the liquid soaked sawdust in your household trash.