New environmentally-friendly way to fill up windshield washer fluid
There’s a new way to get windshield washer fluid into your vehicle, bypassing the plastic jug.
EcoTank windshield washer fluid dispensers can now be found at four gas stations in Kitchener and Cambridge.
Drivers pay directly at the unit and use the nozzle to put fluid into their vehicle.
Each dispenser holds the equivalent of about 65 jugs.
Orangeville-based EcoTank Canada began rolling out the dispensers in 2021, bringing the first to Waterloo Region the following year.
Currently there are 293 dispensers at 133 locations across Canada, including the Petro Canada at 2430 Homer Watson Blvd. in Kitchener.
According to the company’s calculations, the units have saved about 115,000 plastic jugs so far.
That’s significant because EcoTank says plastics containing chemicals like those in windshield washer fluid are complicated and expensive to recycle. As a result, it’s believed many washer fluid containers end up in the landfill.
In Kitchener, drivers who were filling up paid $1.70 per litre of washer fluid.
EcoTank Canada co-founder Jordon Francis says their product protects to -40 degrees Celsius. It also includes a bug cleaner and water repellent.
“It’s very similar to one of your high-end brands,” Francis says.
Drivers tell CTV News that they were interested in trying the dispensers, not just because it’s more eco-friendly, but also convenient.
“I was like, great, I don’t have to haul bottles in the car any more which I can’t get open because I don’t have a hard enough grip. So I used to have to get one of my kids to do it,” explains Hazel McDougall. “Now I can just pull up. I think it’s a great idea.”
Glennys Shouldice says having a washer fluid dispenser next to the gas pump will help with one particular hassle.
“When I forget to buy more… because I always forget to buy it.”
For those who still prefer to keep a jug of washer fluid in their car, driver can re-use an old bottle and fill it at the dispenser as well.
EcoTank plans to roll out more of its dispensers across Canada and the United States, and not just at gas stations. They also install them at electric vehicle charging stations and in the parking areas of condominiums.
You can find your nearest EcoTank location on the company’s website.
Francis says the technology was first introduced in Europe, where it is now available in 18 countries.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Baby, grandparents among 4 people killed in wrong-way police chase on Ontario's Hwy. 401
A police chase which started with a liquor store robbery in Bowmanville Monday night ended in tragedy some 20 minutes later when a suspect fleeing police entered Highway 401 in the wrong direction and caused a pileup which killed an infant and the child's grandparents, as well as the suspect, investigators say.
McGill requests 'police assistance' over pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University says it has 'requested police assistance' about the pro-Palestinian encampment on its lower field.
Freeland tables motion previewing omnibus budget bill
Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland will be tabling yet another omnibus bill to pass the sweeping range of measures promised in her April 16 federal budget.
Judge holds Trump in contempt, fines him US$9,000 and raises threat of jail in hush money trial
Donald Trump was held in contempt of court Tuesday and fined US$9,000 for repeatedly violating a gag order that barred him from making public statements about witnesses, jurors and some others connected to his New York hush money case. If he does it again, the judge warned, he could be jailed.
Air Canada walks back new seat selection policy change after backlash
Air Canada has paused a new seat selection fee for travellers booked on the lowest fares just days after implementing it.
Court upholds Milwaukee police officer's firing for posting racist memes after Sterling Brown arrest
The Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that a former Milwaukee police officer was properly fired for posting racist memes related to the arrest of an NBA player that triggered a public outcry.
New cancer treatment approved, but not everyone thinks it's what's best for patients
A new cancer treatment recently approved in Canada promises to cut treatment time down to just minutes, but experts have differing opinions on whether it's what's best for patients.
T. rex is at the centre of a debate over dinosaur intelligence
Surmising even the physical appearance of a dinosaur - or any extinct animal - based on its fossils is a tricky proposition, with so many uncertainties involved. Assessing a dinosaur's intelligence, considering the innumerable factors contributing to that trait, is exponentially more difficult.
Province boots mayor and council in small northern Ont. town out of office
An ongoing municipal strike, court battles and revolt by half of council has prompted the province to oust the mayor and council in Black River-Matheson.