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How do you dispose of an old car gas tank?

What should I do to dispose of an old car gas tank? I’m replacing my gas tank and I’m not sure how to get rid of the old one properly.

avatar
Liz Jenson · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Before you dispose of an old car
gas tank
, you’ll need to make sure the tank is entirely empty. If the tank has some bad gas in it (gas that has lost its smell, become discolored, or has debris in it), you’ll need to dispose of that separately. Here’s how:
  • Put the bad gas in a government-approved container, like a gas can.
  • Call your city’s waste management office and ask about local disposal sites.
  • Bring the bad gas to the disposal site.
Once you’ve gotten rid of the bad gas, you’ll need to get rid of the gas tank itself. Here’s how:
  • If possible, wash out the inside of the tank thoroughly. You can do this using liquid dish soap and water.
  • Next, contact your local mechanic or auto body shops in your area to see if they want the gas tank for metal or parts.
  • If neither of these places want the gas tank, you can also contact a scrapyard near you to see if they want the tank for parts.
  • If you don’t have any luck with any of these locations, you’ll want to contact your city’s waste management office and drop off the tank at the proper disposal site.
Keep in mind that you should never throw a gas tank or gasoline in the trash, as any remaining fuel in the tank could cause fires or explosions. If you’re ever in doubt as to how to dispose of fuel containers like these, contact your city’s waste management office.
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