gasoline / fuel disposal

I bought a new home, and the previous owners left 4 gas cans filled with fuel (smells like gasoline) in the garage.

It looks like I can take this way over to Cedar Grove in May when the Essex County Household Hazardous Waste Collection happens again.

I’d rather not wait that long or drive that far with fuel in my car.

Is there a place I can dispose of it locally?  I live in Maplewood.

I sent an email to DPW via dpwdir@twp.maplewood.nj.us but didn't get a response.

Thanks

Two thoughts: Try calling town and asking about disposal. The other option might be (assuming it's gasoline) posting on the freecycle thread.

I finally got an answer on the phone at DPW (been trying for a few days).  They will not take the fuel cans, and can't offer any help for who might.  The only other option is what I already mentioned:

Hazardous Waste Collection Day

This is not too helpful since it's a good 30 minutes drive thru stop and go traffic, not to mention it's 2 months away.  I'm not comfortable carrying all that fuel that far in my car.

I can't very well give something away if I don't know what it is.  Given it was in the garage, it could be  mixed fuels used by many common types of yard equipment.  If I was certain it was gas, I'd just put it in my car. 

It's discouraging that given the taxes we pay that it can't be made a little easier to do the right thing (environmentally).

can you contact the previous owner?

Maybe a local mechanic would dispose of it for you.

Sounds as though the previous owners pulled a fast one. Obviously they weren't supposed to leave stuff like that for the new owners. I wonder if they put the cans there after the pre-closing walkthrough--seems as though they would have been pretty noticeable. In any case, I would suggest having your attorney get in touch with them or their attorney and take the material away ASAP. 

The one reassuring thing I can thing of in terms of you safety, though, is that many homeowners do keep some gasoline in a purpose-made plastic containers so that it is available for filling their lawnmovers and similar equipment. So maybe proper stored gasoline in small quantities isn't too bad. Not sure what gas cans are--only familiar with oil cans, which everyone has around.

Even if you were sure it's gasoline, it could still be very old. I wouldn't put it in the car. Just leave it in the garage until it's time to drive it to Cedar Grove. Assuming it's a legit gasoline can (and not, you know, a soup can with tinfoil on top or something) you'll be fine.

Also, if it's an old-style gas can, someone might be willing to do the fuel disposal part for you in exchange for the container. "They don't make em like that anymore."

That's the best option we found a couple of years ago and we went with it.  Since you do not know what exactly is in there and how old it might be (regular, untreated gas will go bad), do not put it in your car's tank - you are safer driving it to the disposal in your back seat or trunk than having it in your tank.

About 10 years ago, when I was living in Manhattan, the Exxon station & garage on Houston near Ave. B disposed of 10 gallons of old gas for me, free of charge.  If you'd rather not wait until May, best bet is start calling around to service stations & mechanics.  

kegunn said:


Hazardous Waste Collection Day

Put it in your snowblower and bring the snowblower to the shop to be spruced up for next winter.  Which will involve getting rid of the gas in it.  Plus you'll get your snowblower spruced up for next winter.