Where to dispose of coolant

[This kid builds pc]

People keep on saying read the label on where to dispose of it but my coolant doesn't actually say where to dispose of it. Where do I dispose of it. PLEASE do not be vague.

[Marshnt]

1 minute ago, This kid builds pc said:

People keep on saying read the label on where to dispose of it but my coolant doesn't actually say where to dispose of it. Where do I dispose of it. PLEASE do not be vague.

Down the drain, if you live in a city the water will be treated before going back.

[Oshino Shinobu]

Down the drain. If a liquid has specific rules for being disposed, it will have it on the label. Liquid cooling coolants are generally non-toxic and aren't oil based so don't require any special means of disposal. 

[emosun]

if you don't live in a city , just pour it on the ground

the "make sure you dispose of coolant properly" is essentially their way of keeping themselves from getting sued if someone dumps hundreds of gallons of it and causes a real environmental disaster.

a few quarts of it in the bushes in the country isn't going to do anything

[For Science!]

Strictly depends on the coolant. Whether it is propylene glycol based, ethylene glycol based, or water based, the additives involved and your local rgulations.

 

Everybody saying "just put it down the drain" is a bit irresponsible. You as an individual is likely not to be prosecuted but it can still be bad for the environment and if you do it in a company scenario, then shit can really go down quixkly.

[r4tch3t]

It will depend on the coolant. You don't mention what you are using do I'll assume it's NaK for your personal reactor, in which case you should contact the government for proper disposal of radioactive waste.

If however you are not a mad scientist your probably using distilled water with some form of dye and biocide. If you can remember what fluid you bought you could look up what's in it online and the proper disposal method. Or just assume they're not going to be pouring terribly toxic things in there (probably requiring a label) and just pour it down the sink 

[lexidobe]

Read the MSDS online. You are probably OK to dump it down the drain, but DO NOT dump it on the ground or down the drain if it contains ethylene glycol, that is quite toxic. If it is propylene glycol based, you can pour it down the drain, as propylene glycol is not very toxic. 

[Abaris]

I have a Mayhems dye and it says that it shouldn't be disposed down the drain. I just take al those residues to my university campus to the chemistry faculty. They have proper disposal methods.

 

If a campus is not an option, call your city's chemistry facility. Sometimes they even pick it up. 

[jcsazon]

 Jason TS2: Hi, my name is Jason TS2. How may I help you? 
 JIM SAZON: Hi
 JIM SAZON: I have a question about liquid cooling
 JIM SAZON: We will work on faulty H110
 JIM SAZON: pump hose burst out, liquid everywhere on the case
 JIM SAZON: how safe is this liquid? any safety pre-cautions before we start fixing it?
 Jason TS2: I'm sorry to hear that
 JIM SAZON: What type of liquid is it?
 JIM SAZON: Hello?
 JIM SAZON: are you there?
 JIM SAZON: hello?
 Jason TS2: Its a mix of distilled water and anti fungus chemicals
 Jason TS2: I wouldnt suggest on opening the cooler as it can void your warranty
 JIM SAZON: we dont
 JIM SAZON: we just need to remove it from the case and replace it with a new one
 JIM SAZON: what's the liquid called?
 Jason TS2: well its known as anti freezer since composition of a coolant are mixed water and other chemicals such as ethylene glycol and propylene glycol etc.
 JIM SAZON: ok thanks!
 Jason TS2: Is there anything else I can do for you?
 JIM SAZON: all good
 Jason TS2: Thank you for contacting Corsair! Have a nice day

[asand1]

On 8/18/2017 at 3:53 PM, lexidobe said:

Read the MSDS online. You are probably OK to dump it down the drain, but DO NOT dump it on the ground or down the drain if it contains ethylene glycol, that is quite toxic. 

False.

Ethylene Glycol can safely be flushed down the toilet. Sewage treatment uses microbes that feed on Ethylene glycol and break it down into a harmless form. The same microbes are found in the ground and the Ethylene glycol will be broken down. The only way its harmful is if it puddles somewhere and an animal drinks it before its broken down.

 

https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdphe/household-antifreeze

[lexidobe]

On 10/30/2017 at 5:10 PM, asand1 said:

False.

Ethylene Glycol can safely be flushed down the toilet. Sewage treatment uses microbes that feed on Ethylene glycol and break it down into a harmless form. The same microbes are found in the ground and the Ethylene glycol will be broken down. The only way its harmful is if it puddles somewhere and an animal drinks it before its broken down.

 

https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdphe/household-antifreeze

Hmm. I learn something new every day  Thanks for correcting me. Why should you not dispose of car antifreeze down the drain then? Just curious.

[asand1]

1 hour ago, lexidobe said:

Hmm. I learn something new every day  Thanks for correcting me. Why should you not dispose of car antifreeze down the drain then? Just curious.

The only reason not to would be from chemicals and heavy metals leaching into car antifreeze during operation, other than that the dumping it in the drain (SEWER, not storm drain) is fine. Simply diluting it into the river would not break down the chemical bonds of the ethylene glycol and would be hazardous to the fishes and nutes and water skeeters.