Will Antifreeze Kill Grass? (How To Dispose of RV Antifreeze)
Instead of dumping it, re-use it. If you are afraid that removing your RV antifreeze will kill your lawn, just reclaim it and put it back into its jugs. You can use it again next winter and save a few bucks. It is worth a try and you can spare your lawn from any possible damage.
There are 2 types of antifreeze. One version is for your engine and the other is for your RV pipes. The former version is very toxic and harmful to your lawn. The latter version may be harmful to your lawn. It just depends on the toxic levels of the RV antifreeze you use.
To learn more about this topic, just continue to read our article. It has the information you need to know about so you can dump your RV antifreeze safely. Or you can reclaim it and use it the next winter and save some money. The choice is yours to make.
Disposing Antifreeze 101
Is RV Antifreeze Safe To Dump on The Ground?
There is a lot of discussion on this and many people think that it is okay for them to dump their RV anti-freeze on the ground. But do not go by what the RV discussion forums say. Many of those owners think that pink antifreeze is the safest type of RV anti-freeze you can buy.
However, the color does not indicate the toxic levels of that liquid. The color does not indicate the type of ingredients used in creating the anti-freeze. You have to read the label to make sure the ingredients are safe for ground dumping.
But there is another factor you need to consider in this issue. Many states make it illegal to dump anti-freeze on the ground. If you are caught doing this in one of those states, you could be fined heavily.
Two of the reasons for this state of antifreeze dumping is it is harmful to both animals and the soil. Check with your state before you start dumping anti-freeze on your lawn.
Will RV Antifreeze Kill Grass?
This depends on the toxic level of the antifreeze you are using. Yes, some RV options are very toxic and should only be dumped in official dump stations or other safe locations. They will kill the grass.
For non-toxic anti-freeze, the answer is a qualified no as it may not harm the grass but it may harm plant life nearby. There have been some studies done and it has been proven that even the vapors from propylene glycol are toxic to soya beans and corn.
You have to go by the type of RV antifreeze before you dump. Ethanol-based versions are very toxic and harmful to lawns or grass. Propylene glycol-based RV antifreeze is not but that does not make it legal to dump RV anti-freeze on your lawn.
State laws run by different codes of ethics and may still make an all-encompassing law banning RV anti-freeze dumping no matter the toxic level.
Can I Put RV Antifreeze Down The Drain?
From our research, this is okay to do. The reasoning behind this is that toilets have covers so the fumes and liquid cannot harm humans. Drains can control and hide harmful chemicals so you are not polluting the land or contaminating the soil by using this method.
The most important rule that allows you to do this is the fact that many RV owners do not live close to distant areas. A little explanation is in order. In some states, it is okay for RV owners to dispose of their RV anti-freeze in the ground, if they drive to some distant location and dig a very big hole.
Once the hole is dug, they can pour the anti-freeze into it and then cover it up with the dirt. This action is said to protect the wild animals from any harm. The choice is yours, Have a nice drive out into the country and get some exercise or use your drain in your traditional home.
Is RV Antifreeze Toxic To The Environment?
The best answer would be to err on the side of caution. Even if the anti-freeze claims it is non-toxic, it can still harm the environment in some way. So the answer would be yes as even those RV anti-freeze products are labeled as non-toxic, they may still not be harmless.
Don’t go by the color as our research has turned up more than one website that states that color does not indicate toxic levels of the product. When it comes to RV antifreeze, the best thing to do is avoid dumping it on the ground. You have better options available.
One option is to use city-run recycling centers or similar programs to get rid of the anti-freeze. Another would be to simply save your empty jugs and fill them back up in the spring with the fluid you put in your RV.
Reusing your old anti-freeze even once helps reduce the amount that is poured out into the environment and landfills. Even if your Rv anti-freeze is safe, your state may have laws banning the dumping of the product on the ground.
How To Dispose Of RV Antifreeze
We have mentioned one option already. You can use your toilet or drains in your traditional home to dispose of your RV antifreeze. It is a safe option you can use as explained earlier.
Another method we mentioned earlier is for you to drive out into the very rural areas where there are few people around. Then dig a hole and pour your anti-freeze into that. Make sure to cover the hole back up so animals cannot drink it.
The drawback to this option is not the long drive or the fact you are getting some exercise. But that Propylene glycol is water-soluble. What that means is that it does not get absorbed into the soil.
The rainwater, etc., can move the anti-freeze into groundwater reservoirs or waters holding marine life. This liquid is known to be poisonous to fish, other animals, and humans.
Dump stations or recycling centers are the best options when you want to get rid of your old anti-freeze. Many activists call for RV owners to reuse or recycle their old anti-freeze and there are enough recycling centers around to honor their call.
Where do You Dump Antifreeze in an RV?
Most websites talk about de-winterizing your RV plumbing systems and not which tank you dump the anti-freeze into. In reading the different explanations, you are going to get the antifreeze in all your holding tanks.
This means that it doesn’t matter which tank you dump it into when you are de-winterizing. However, it is best to avoid the freshwater tank as much as possible and use the gray or black water tanks for your anti-freeze.
You will need to use the freshwater tank to flush the system which means you will have to dump that, flush it out and then refill it with new water. Once you have the system flushed you should drive to the nearest dump station and use it to dump the antifreeze from your RV.
Or you can try to reclaim the anti-freeze and fill the jugs it came in. You may lose some of the fluid during this process but at least you will have some on hand for the next year.
Just make sure to dump thoroughly so you do not have any left over liquid in your plumbing system
RV Antifreeze Disposal Tips
1. If at all possible, reclaim, reuse or recycle. This cuts down on the amount of RV anti-freeze being poured out onto the ground or landfills, etc.
2. Contact your local state office that covers anti-freeze disposal and see if the state has any laws governing the disposal of this liquid.
3. If at all possible, use the dump stations near you to get rid of the liquid. Even if it says it is non-toxic, it is still harmful to different life forms.
4. Check with local auto parts, auto repair, or other businesses to see if they take old RV anti-freeze. Also, check the local recycling centers if they take it as well.
5. Don’t dump the liquid on the ground, even if you are doing it on your property. Dig a hole and bury it or drive out to the country and do the same thing.
Some Final Words
While it may seem safe and okay to dump your old RV antifreeze onto the ground, there are better and safer methods you can use. Check into those methods and use them.
The color does not indicate levels of toxicity. Dumping pink is not safer than dumping other colors of this product. Check the labels to make sure and never assume. Even non-toxic anti-freeze has harmful components to it and can do damage to property or life forms.
