Everything you need to know about recycling coolants

Coolants includes:
Engine coolants Coolant fluid Antifreeze Liquid coolant Radiator coolant

Learn more about recycling coolants

How to recycle coolants at work

Used radiator coolant is a hazardous waste and therefore should never be dumped into drains or onto the ground. New technology has been adopted to create a variety of coolant recycling and recovery systems. There are a few ways in which radiator coolants can be recycled.

On-site

A recycling unit is purchased by a workshop or repair facility and operated by employees. 

Mobile recycling service

A van or truck equipped with a recycling unit visits the workshop or repair facility and conducts the recycling. 

Off-site

Waste coolant is transported to a specialised recycling company who can then re-supply the workshop or repair facility with recycled coolant. Use the directory on this page to see if there is a recycling service in your area. 

Why recycle?

The primary component of coolants (antifreeze) is usually ethylene glycol. Used coolant becomes a hazardous waste as it also contains heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, and chromium. The responsible disposal of radiator coolants has become an increasingly difficult and expensive issue for workshops and repair facilities.

Recycling radiator coolant:

• helps prevent the disposal of hazardous waste into the environment
• removes contaminants and dissolved metals through chemical precipitation and filtration process 
• reduces the use of virgin resources
• saves on disposal costs for used coolant

What happens to it?

Recycling radiator coolants generally involves cleaning and purifying the used coolant so it can be reused, reducing waste and its environmental impact.