At Comal Iron & Metals, we’re not just your friendly neighborhood recycling yard—we’re your partner in keeping our community and environment safe. When it comes to recycling metal items, one important step often gets overlooked: safely removing fuel from recyclable items. Don’t worry—we’ve got you covered with tips and guidelines to make this easy and stress-free!
Why Is Fuel Removal Important?
Metal items like lawnmowers, chainsaws, and even old boats or motorcycles often contain leftover fuel. Before bringing them to a recycling facility, emptying the fuel safely is important. Why?
Environmental Safety: Fuel can contaminate soil and water if not disposed of properly.
Fire Hazards: Fuel is highly flammable and poses a safety risk when mixed with other recyclable materials.
Compliance with Regulations: In Texas, it’s required to dispose of fuel properly to protect the environment and our communities.
Taking a few extra steps before recycling helps protect the planet and keeps everyone safe!
Common Fuel-Containing Items
If it has an engine or uses liquid fuel, chances are it needs to be emptied first! Here are some examples of fuel-containing items we often see at our yard:
Lawn Equipment: Lawnmowers, weed eaters, and leaf blowers
Outdoor Tools: Chainsaws, generators, and pressure washers
Recreational Vehicles: Dirt bikes, ATVs, and jet skis
Other Household Items: Old kerosene heaters or portable stoves
Safe Steps to Remove Fuel
It’s illegal to dump fuel into the environment, so always follow these guidelines to avoid fines and keep our state beautiful! Follow these simple steps to remove fuel from your recyclable items safely:
Work in a Well-Ventilated Area: Always handle fuel outdoors or in an open area to avoid inhaling fumes.
Use Approved Containers: Drain fuel into a certified gas can or fuel storage container. Avoid using household items like old jars or plastic bottles.
Don’t Dump It: Never pour fuel onto the ground, into storm drains, or in the trash.
Dispose of Fuel Properly: Bring old fuel to a hazardous waste collection site. In Texas, many cities (including New Braunfels) have designated drop-off locations.
Certain Saturdays, the city of New Braunfels hosts a Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off event. You can bring household hazardous waste items (like chemicals & cleaners) for proper disposal and recycling.
Visit https://newbraunfels.gov/calendar.aspx to learn when the next event takes place.
Clean the Tank: Once the fuel is drained, wipe down the tank to remove any residue.
Let’s Recycle Safely Together!
We love seeing you bring in your recyclable metals—it’s one way we’re working together to create a greener future. By safely removing fuel from your items, you’re helping make the process smoother, safer, and more eco-friendly for everyone.
Got questions? Need more tips? Unsure how to handle certain items? Give us a call or stop by! Our team at Comal Iron & Metals is always happy to help. Together, we can make a big impact, one piece of metal at a time!
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