Where Can I Recycle Transmission Fluid? (Best Tips!)


Where Can I Recycle Transmission Fluid

Do you know where I can recycle transmission fluid? this is one of the questions our readers ask a lot. Well, we´ve got you covered.

When it comes to disposing of motor oils like transmission fluid, it’s not as simple as just throwing it away somewhere.

In fact, throwing it in the yard or down a drain is the absolute last thing anyone wants you to do with your old transmission fluid.

So then, where can I recycle the transmission fluid? To recycle your old transmission fluid, you just need to take it to any place that recycles it, and there are many options, including most auto parts stores and locations that sell motor fluids, such as:

  • Walmart
  • Firestone Auto Care
  • AutoZone
  • O’Reilly Auto Parts

The process of recycling transmission fluid is actually quite simple, but just to be absolutely safe, we’ll cover the ins and outs of it here.

Why You Need to Recycle Transmission Fluid

Why recycle your transmission fluid instead of just getting rid of it? Well, transmission fluid is a pretty harmful environmental contaminant.

If you pour it out in the grass or down a drain, or even just throw it in the garbage to end up in a dump somewhere, it’s probably going to cause some damage.

So, for the sake of the environment, it is best to recycle your transmission fluid.

This is especially true since it can be done at no cost to you.

Most locations that accept used transmission fluid do so for free, and you can just take it with you next time you have to go there, so there’s no actual time investment either.

Read also: Does Walmart Recycle Transmission Fluid (Explained!)

How to Prepare Your Transmission Fluid for Recycling

Good news: this part is extremely easy! All you have to do in order to bring your used transmission fluid to a location for recycling is to put it into a sealed container.

It doesn’t have to be any type of special container either. Even a milk jug is acceptable so long as you can ensure no transmission fluid will leak out on accident.

Regardless of the location, you take your transmission fluid to, this is generally acceptable.

There are very few rules or restrictions in place for this type of thing, and very few places that require anything other than a secure container for your used transmission fluid.

So, now that we’ve established that, where can you actually take your transmission fluid to be recycled?

Read also: Can I Dispose of Used Motor Oil at Walmart? (The Truth!)

Places you Can Recycle Your Transmission Fluid At

In general, any location that sells transmission fluids tends to accept used transmission fluid for recycling as well.

Of course, there are some exceptions, and it’s better to be certain than to assume. For that reason, consider the following.

You can always call a store or site and ask if they accept used transmission fluid for recycling before you go there. It’s a simple yes or no question and wouldn’t require a very long phone call.

Failing that, you can often search their official sites for answers to that question as well.

Either way, this means the easiest places to hand in your used transmission fluid are auto parts stores. That includes places like AutoZone, O’Reilly’s, Napa Auto Parts, and most others. At the same time, this also includes locations such as Walmart.

With the latter though, it’s important to understand that you won’t be able to drop your transmission fluid at any Walmart.

Naturally, they will at least have to possess an Automotive Center, and said the center will have to be open. No Auto Center, no recycling transmission fluid. So check and make sure before you drive out to one!

Now, if you really want to, there is another option for recycling transmission fluid, that being a local household hazardous waste facility.

These are special disposal sites that are tasked with getting rid of substances that cannot be disposed of in a normal manner. That includes transmission fluid.

Transmission fluid isn’t actually hazardous of course (unless you were to drink it or something), but if it gets mixed with something like a solvent, it becomes quite dangerous to the environment.

For that reason, your local household hazardous waste facility will accept transmission fluid as well.

What to Do When You Get There

Different recycling locations have different processes for how to dispose of your used transmission fluid. Usually, it’s not that difficult.

Most of the time, you can just hand off the fluid in a sealed container to an employee.

Of course, that’s not always the case. Some locations might have different things they want you to do. However, in such a case, the easiest thing to do would be to simply ask.

You can call the location and ask them, or you can just ask an employee once you arrive. Either option will work.

Read also: Should I Change Transmission Fluid After 200k Miles (Best Tips!)

Summary

If you need to recycle used transmission fluid, all you need to do is put it into a sealed container where it will not spill.

At that point, you can take it to a number of locations, including many auto parts stores. If a place sells transmission fluid, they often accept it for recycling as well.

If you are not sure what you will have to do when you arrive at those recycling locations, call ahead of time or ask an employee what they would like you to do with your transmission fluid.

The process is almost always free and generally pretty easy, so please do your part and recycle when you can!


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Thank you for reading this article. I hope it helps you find the most recent and accurate technical and repair information for your car. Here are some tools that I use as an automotive technician and hope you´ll also find helpful.

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References

https://recyclenation.com/2015/06/how-to-recycle-transmission-fluid/

https://earth911.com/recycling-guide/how-to-recycle-automotive-fluids/

Jeff

Jeff is an automotive technician, technical writer, and Managing Editor. He has held a lifelong passion for cars, with a particular interest in cars like the Buick Reatta. Jeff has been creating written and video content about transportation, automotive, electric cars, future vehicles as well as new, used for more than 18 years. Jeff is based in Boulder, Colorado.

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