Non-refillable pressurized containers

How can I properly dispose of empty containers used for chemicals? 

Numerous chemical-based products are used in laboratories, pharmacies, hospitals, healthcare facilities, and even homes. These products produce hazardous chemical waste. Environmental laws that strictly regulate the disposal of such containers govern how you should dispose of empty chemical containers. If not properly disposed of, the residue inside empty chemical containers could be hazardous waste. If containers are disposed of without being treated first, chemical runoff may combine with groundwater, permeate the soil, and eventually be ingested, harming both people and wildlife. Knowing how to handle chemicals carefully and making every effort to reduce the amount of chemical waste that your business, institution, or household produces are the first steps in preventing such outcomes. 

Reuse or recycle chemicals and chemical containers first, if possible. They must be properly disposed of if possible.  

What Does "Empty" Mean in a Container?  

Chemical Dispensers According to the EPA, an empty chemical container is one from which all the liquid or materials have been extracted using the conventional methods of "pouring, pumping, or aspirating." Containers for liquids must not contain any additional liquid. Containers that have previously contained solid or semi-solid hazardous material are only deemed empty if any remaining content cannot be scraped or chipped away. 

Useful Procedures for Empty Chemical Containers  

Reuse 

Reusing empty chemical containers whenever possible or appropriate is one of the best uses for them. Old containers can be used to collect water for storage or to get rid of spill messes. No radioactive waste should ever be stored or disposed of in these containers. Make sure the container you reuse is suitable for storing the chemicals or hazardous waste you intend to store. When reusing an empty container, it must first be cleaned before being filled with hazardous waste and other chemicals. Containers that have not been completely cleaned of their chemical residue run the risk of igniting. The container must then have all original labels and markings removed and replaced with labels that make it abundantly clear what is inside.  

Dispose of Containers for Household Chemicals For instructions on how to recycle empty chemical containers properly, consult your community's or institution's policies. According to the chemical that was in the container, that will vary. It is not appropriate to simply toss empty chemical containers into recycling bins. The handling of toxic residue at waste disposal sites or during waste pickup can be extremely dangerous to employees and have negative environmental effects. Before recycling, common household containers for substances like drain cleaners, nail polish, lawn pesticides, antifreeze, and motor oil must be treated and marked. Containers made of glass, metal, and plastic can sometimes be recycled. Ensure that these containers are dry, empty, and chemical-free, and that the labels and caps have been removed. Mark the containers as empty after removing labels. Before recycling, volatile organic solvent containers such as those for acetone, petroleum ether, ethanol, methanol, and similar substances can be air-dried in a ventilated area (in a lab, this should be done under a chemical fume hood).  

Dispose- the elimination of chemical waste.  

Not every empty container for chemicals can be recycled or reused. However, they must be disposed of in accordance with local, institutional, and EPA regulations. A compatible solvent should be used three times to clean the containers, and the rinse liquid should be kept in a container. 

Allow the containers to dry out in the open (or, if inside, in a chemical fume hood). After the containers have been thoroughly cleaned and dried, mark the containers with "Empty" and permanently remove any labels or warning signs that say things like "flammable" or "hazardous." Place the container in the designated community or institutional disposal area after removing the caps or seals. It is crucial that all empty chemical containers are cleaned in accordance with the detailed guidelines and practices specified by laws and regulations. Depending on the contents, you can either recycle, reuse, or discard the container. The first step in preventing any harmful residue from being dumped or improperly disposed of is knowing what to do with the empty container. For more information on how to properly dispose of empty chemical containers, contact RYSE today.