Automotive and Lawnmower Fluid Disposal Advice

There is lots of advice on how often to change the oil in a vehicle depending on the age of the vehicle and the type of oil.  Oil changing advice ranges from 3 months/3000 miles, 6 months/6000 to annually/7500 miles. No matter which timetable is used, the motor oil needs to be disposed of properly.  Likewise, lawnmowers and other gas operated lawn equipment are usually retired for the season in November/December and removal of oil, filters and fuel are recommended for optimal operation in the coming season. 

Prince William residents can dispose of used motor oil and oil filters as well as anti-freeze and lead-acid car batteries at the Prince William County Landfill, or the Balls Ford Road Compost Facility convenience centers during normal operating hours.  

Residents may bring old fuel to the Landfill location on Wednesday and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. during the Household Hazardous Waste and Electronics Recycling program’s operation.

All these items-- oil, anti-freeze, oil filters, lead-acid batteries, and fuel, require special disposal and should never be placed in the regular trash or poured down a drain because doing so poses harm to the environment, humans, and animals. In most cases the materials are recycled. Some automotive shops or retail businesses that sell these items may also have disposal provisions available to customers.

For more information on proper disposal resources in Prince William County, referred to the A to Z Disposal Guide, www.pwcva.gov/disposalguide, on the County’s website.