How to Get Rid of Old Gasoline Safely

Thats rightgasoline and other petroleum products have a shelf life.

Plus, its never a good idea to leave gasoline, which is highly flammable, lying around.

Below, we explain how to get rid of old gasoline safely.

gasoline containers in garage

Credit:Getty Images / Kyryl Gorlov

How Long Does Gasoline Last?

You might not expect this, but gasoline has a short shelf life.

Standard gasoline is only good for three to six months.

After that, the gas begins to break down.

Gasoline mixed with ethanol degrades even faster than pure gasoline and may not even last three months.

Its much easier to buy new gas than dispose of old gas.

Proper storage techniques and products like fuel stabilizers help you get the most life out of your gasoline.

These help maintain the quality of gas thats already been poured into a fuel tank.

When in doubt, use a quality fuel stabilizer to prevent damage to your equipment.

There are several ways to dispose of old gasoline.

Check your local options to see which one works best for you.

Check your local area for businesses specializing in hazardous waste disposal.

Call ahead to ensure they accept gasoline before taking it to save yourself a trip.

Many communities organize hazardous waste collection and removal events periodically.

Some fire departments accept old gasoline.

Check with your local department before taking your gasoline to the fire station.

Many auto shopsdispose of old gasoline and oil.

Depending on the state of the gasoline and its level of contaminants, they may even recycle it.

Call around to local auto shops to find one that accepts old gas.

Gasoline is extremely dangerous if mishandled.

Here are some tips for handling and disposing of gasoline safely.