Many household products and other chemical items create dangerous conditions for humans and the environment. Because of this, several steps have been devised for the safe and proper disposal of such industrial chemicals. Although chemicals will always have some kind of impact, it is crucial to reduce that impact as much as possible.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Identify the Proper Waste Disposal Method
Step 1. Read the product label
Some chemicals come with disposal instructions directly on the label and it should be sufficient to follow those instructions. Even for products without disposal instructions, you should read the labels for warnings and cautions related to such products.
- Items such as batteries and light bulbs must be recycled at special recycling centers.
- Never mix cleaning products. If you only have a small amount of cleaner left in each bottle, it can be tempting to mix them into one for disposal. Different chemicals can react with each other to form very dangerous and harmful gases.
Step 2. Read the Material Safety Data Sheet
In addition to the product label, you want to read the MSDS (Safety Data Sheet) for industrial chemicals. The MSDS gives you important information about the chemical: its toxicity, reactivity, and disposal considerations.
Every chemical you buy should come with an MSDS sheet. However, you can also use the online MSDS database to find the MSDS for the specific formulation of the chemical you want to discard
Step 3. Search the list of hazardous waste
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has many resources to determine if waste is considered hazardous and what type of special disposal is necessary. EPA regulates hazardous waste using the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976.
- Determine if the waste is hazardous by referring to this EPA flow chart.
- If EPA classifies waste as hazardous, you will need to contact the agency for proper disposal.
- You can contact EPA online or by searching your local EPA office and contacting them directly by phone.
Method 2 of 3: Eliminate Common Chemicals
Step 1. Use proper safety precautions
When it comes to chemicals, you should always wear gloves, long-sleeved shirts, pants, glasses, and closed shoes. The goal is to minimize skin exposure as much as possible. Chemicals often give off harmful gases, so you need to work in a well-ventilated area.
- Also make sure to tie your hair if you have it long.
- Never breathe deeply and inhale chemical fumes, especially if you are not sure what the chemical is.
- Read all the safety information on a chemical before working with or disposing of it.
- If a chemical gets on your skin or in your eye, seek medical attention immediately. You should also immediately rinse the affected area with water for at least 15 minutes.
Step 2. Dilute the bleach and hydrogen peroxide to pour down the drain
Make a very dilute solution of bleach or hydrogen peroxide by adding at least 10 times the amount of water. Let the diluted solution sit for at least an hour before disposing of it.
Step 3. Store solvents for special collection
Solvents such as paint and varnish must be disposed of at a special recycling center or collected by a hazardous waste company. Many home improvement stores also have paint recycling centers.
Latex paints can be disposed of at home. Add an equal part of kitty litter to match the amount of paint. Stir until the paint thickens and allow the mixture to sit for an hour. You can throw the hardened paint in the trash
Step 4. Recycle automotive fluids
Car-related fluids such as antifreeze, motor oil, and transmission fluid can be collected and recycled. None of these items can be thrown away or disposed of down the drain. Collect the liquid and take it to a nearby recycling center.
Use a recycling locator to find a location near you
Step 5. Drain all spray cans
To do this, turn them over and spray them on an absorbent material, such as paper towels, rags, or a sponge. Once the can loses all its pressure, wrap it in several layers of newspaper and throw it away with your normal household garbage.
Optionally, you can dispose of partially filled cans by taking them to a household hazardous waste collection center
Step 6. Return the pool chemicals to your local pool store
Most pool stores will accept pool chemicals and dispose of them properly. Alternatively, you can check with the community group and see if they need any unused chemicals.
If you must throw them away, make sure the chemicals are dry, stored in their original containers and in double bags to avoid contamination
Step 7. Send industrial chemicals to a hazardous materials collection system
If you are unsure of the proper method of disposal of a potentially hazardous product, such as a car battery, find a hazardous materials collection service near you and ask if they can dispose of your waste. Most communities should have such a service.
- Laboratories have specific waste disposal departments that take care of this. Once you have a full container, schedule the collection for disposal.
- Store the used chemical in an appropriate container for disposal. A sealed plastic container is usually sufficient.
Method 3 of 3: Neutralize Strong Acids or Bases for Removal
Step 1. Learn about acids and bases that cannot be neutralized
There are some acids and bases that cannot be neutralized and flushed down the sewer drain. Disposal of the following should be done through proper hazardous waste collection channels:
- perchloric acid
- concentrated nitric acid
- fuming (concentrated), sulfuric acid
- hydrofluoric acid
- acids or bases with colorants or surfactants
- base acids with heavy metals
- organic acids and bases that remain toxic after neutralization
Step 2. Identify the strength of the acid or base
Strong acids (pH 12.0) must be neutralized before dilution and disposal down the drain. The strength of the acid or base can be determined using a pH meter or pH strips. Strong acids and bases must be neutralized to a pH range between 6.0 and 9.0.
- A pH meter directly measures the pH of the solution.
- The pH paper has a color indicator that tells you the strength of the solution.
Step 3. Neutralize strong acids with sodium hydroxide
Work in a range hood (or a well-ventilated area) because this process emits noxious fumes. Keep the solution constantly stirring and slowly add sodium hydroxide. This reaction will release heat, so it is important that the sodium hydroxide is added slowly. Keep adding sodium hydroxide until the acid is neutralized.
- Placing the container in a second container with ice will help prevent overheating and possible injury.
- You should also wear goggles and a mask to protect yourself from harmful gases.
Step 4. Neutralize strong bases with hydrochloric acid
The process of neutralizing a strong base is the same as neutralizing a strong acid, except that hydrochloric acid is used instead of sodium hydroxide. Slowly add the hydrochloric acid to the strong base while constantly stirring the solution.
This reaction also releases heat, so add slowly and keep the container in an ice cube to avoid overheating
Step 5. Check the pH again
After neutralization, the pH should be in the range of 6.0 to 9.0. Use the pH meter or pH paper strips to ensure proper acid or base neutralization. If the pH is not in the correct range, continue adding the neutralizing acid or base to the solution until the correct pH is reached.
Acid-base indicator solutions can also be used to assess the pH of solutions. As you change the pH of the entire solution, the color of the indicator will change. If you have access to an indicator, you can facilitate the neutralization process
Step 6. Dilute by adding acid or base to the water
To dilute the solution, always add the acid or base directly to the water. Adding water to the acid or base can overheat the water and cause explosions.
- Dilute acid or base is an exothermic reaction, which means it will give off heat. Place the container in an ice cube to avoid overheating the container.
- You can calculate the amount of water needed to dilute the solution based on the strength of the acid or base.
Step 7. Pour it down the drain
Once the solution has been neutralized and diluted, it can be poured directly down the drain. Keep the water running while you pour the solution down the drain to further dilute it.
If the waste contains a heavy metal such as copper, lead, zinc, cadmium, or mercury, you cannot throw it down the sink. It must be disposed of as a hazardous waste by an environmental health and safety office
Warnings
- Do not pour the rest of a product on the outside floor and never burn the rest of a product on the outside floor. These acts are very dangerous.
- Be very careful with bottles and cans that appear to be empty. Just because you can't get more liquid out of a product doesn't mean it doesn't contain harmful chemicals. Even an "empty" container must be disposed of safely and properly.
- Do not pour any chemicals down any sink or toilet unless the product label explicitly states that it is safe to do so. If you have your own septic tank, disposal through drains should always be avoided.