Know the Hazardous Materials in Your Garage and Workshop

A number of hazardous products are found in the typical garage and workshop. Avoid buying them when possible, and learn how to dispose of those you cannot avoid.

Antifreeze

Contains ethylene glycol, which is extremely toxic and should not be poured down a storm sewer or onto the ground. Find a service station that cleans and reuses antifreeze, or else dispose of used antifreeze as hazardous waste.

Car batteries

Batteries contain lead and sulfuric acid, so don’t dispose of them with your regular trash. Take your old battery to a garage for recycling or to a hazardous waste collection center.

Motor oil

If you change your own oil, do not dump waste oil down the sewer or onto the found; it can contaminate soil and water supplies. Furthermore, the used oil is a valuable resource that can be re-refined and reused. Take your waste oil in a sealed container to a garage that will recycle it or to a hazardous waste collection center. Buy re-refined motor oil.

Transmission and brake fluids

Recycle at participating service stations or dispose of a hazardous waste.

Paints and stains

Whenever possible, use water-based, latex paint instead of oil-based paint. Be sure, however, that the latex paint does not contain mercury preservatives, which can cause mercury poisoning. Use water-based stains and varnished.

Paint stripper

Highly toxic. Use a scraper and heat gun instead.

Paint thinner, turpentine

If you do use an oil-based paint, you can recycle the thinner yourself. After you have cleaned your brush, store the used thinner in a jar. After the paint particles have settled to the bottom, pour the clear liquid from the top into another jar. Seal, label, and store until you need it.

Wood finishes

Linseed oil, shellac, and tung oil are all derived from natural sources and are safe to use. They do need to be diluted with an alcohol solvent or turpentine.