Antifreeze or ethylene glycol (which is sometimes called "used engine coolant" or "used ethylene or propylene glycol") is the 30th highest volume chemical produced in the United States.

At UWM, ethylene glycol is in the top 10 highest volume chemicals used. When ethylene glycol or antifreeze is "spent", it is usually dirty or contaminated, but the ethylene glycol itself usually does not break down. Recycling is a favored option over disposal for ethylene glycol.

Wisconsin's Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) has recently added used antifreeze to the list of Wisconsin-specific universal wastes. This means that used antifreeze intended for recycling can be managed under the less restrictive universal waste rules.

Previously, WDNR had been operating under enforcement discretion, and issued guidance in 1998. The 1998 waste antifreeze (WAF) guidance is no longer applicable. Changes in the new guidance include:

• Used antifreeze may be stored up to one year rather than 180 days.
• Length of accumulation can be determined by either marking accumulation start date on container or maintaining an inventory system.
• Weekly inspections and logs (if applicable) are dropped.
• Hazardous waste container management standards are dropped in favor of simpler guidelines.
• Non-contamination certification is dropped.
• Recordkeeping requirements for small quantity handlers are less stringent.

Please refer to Managing Used Antifreeze, a publication of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, for additional information on these changes.

The UWM fleet garage has a recycling unit capable of cleaning, analyzing and reconstituting spent ethylene glycol into usable antifreeze. The process uses a closed loop system to clean, reconstitute and replace the antifreeze from a motor vehicle back into that same vehicle. Batch loads can also be processed.

If you have a significant amount (a gallon or more) of ethylene glycol, uncontaminated by other hazardous materials, bring the anti-freeze to the Fleet Garage at UWM's University Services Building and give it to Randy or Bill for reclamation. If that is not convenient, please contact Environmental Affairs staff at x4999 or x2883 to make arrangements to get the antifreeze to the University Services Building.

If the anti-freeze is contaminated with other known hazardous materials, we'll arrange for pickup and disposal of your waste.

Very small amounts of ethylene glycol waste can be sewered, if recycling is not feasible. If you have a question about a specific amount or concentration to be disposed, please contact Environmental Affairs at x4999 or x2883.