How to dispose of old gasoline
Old gasoline is hazardous waste: it's highly flammable, and it never belongs in the trash, a drain or on the ground. The place for it is a household hazardous waste drop-off or collection event, and many counties take it free from residents.
Short answer
- Never in the trash, recycling, drains or sewers.
- Take it to household hazardous waste — a permanent drop-off or a collection event.
- Bring it in a container you don't need back. Some sites keep the can.
- Check the limit. Some sites cap gasoline at 5 gallons a visit.
Why it can't go in the trash
New York City's sanitation department says gasoline should never be disposed of in the trash or recycling and should not be poured down household drains, sewers or waterways. Its advice is to bring unused gasoline to a hazardous waste disposal event or a private hazardous waste company.
Find a drop-off near you
Enter your city or ZIP for the nearest disposal sites. Gasoline usually goes to a household hazardous waste area or event, so check the site's page or call before you drive.
Where to take it
Household hazardous waste programs in our directory that take gasoline:
- Cary, North Carolina: gasoline, 5 gallons maximum.
- Henrico County, Virginia: old gasoline free at both Public Use Areas.
- Huntsville, Alabama, Oklahoma City and Dane County, Wisconsin take it with other hazardous waste.
Many transfer stations don't, including Guilford, Connecticut, Salem, New Hampshire and Bristol, Rhode Island. And at Portland's hazardous waste facilities, containers — fuel cans included — aren't returned.