Chemical Waste Guide

• What is chemical waste?
• How to dispose of chemical waste
• What is the best storage location for chemicals?
• Can you pour chemicals down the drain?
• How do you dispose of empty chemical containers?

To dispose of chemical waste you must first separate it from other materials and store it in secure containers, such as waste drums and barrels. Businesses must arrange collection by licensed waste carriers and ensure it’s taken to an authorised facility for disposal. Ensure you get a duty of care certificate that includes these details.

How the chemical waste is disposed of will depend on its type, volume, and the facility. There are a few different methods to dispose of chemical waste:

• Reclamation– some chemicals can be removed from waste products and reused, such as reclaiming mercury from old thermometers.
• Dewatering – it’s possible to separate chemicals from other liquids via dewatering, such as with some oil waste. The oil can then be cleaned and reused.
• Filtering and distilling – this process involves removing additives or inorganic materials and then refining the chemicals by boiling. It’s commonly used for oil waste.
• Chemical treatments – various chemical treatments essentially clean and separate them for reuse, such as for sulphuric or hydrochloric acids.
• Thermal treatments – in cases where chemical waste might not be reusable it may undergo thermal treatment. It involves applying heat to sanitise the waste before it’s disposed of responsibly.

Always keep chemicals and their waste in a secure container that’s locked where possible, to avoid accidental leaks and spills. The type of chemical may affect the best storage but generally keeping it in a cool and dry place that’s well-ventilated is advisable. Make sure every container is clearly labelled as well.

Storing chemical waste undercover protects it from rainwater and contamination too. It should be on a flat surface to reduce the risk of containers falling over and leaking. Locked containers and rooms also reduce the risk of unauthorised access.

Empty chemical containers can be disposed of with chemical or hazardous waste. Even if they’ve been cleaned they may still retain some chemical elements. When using Business Waste, fill up your chemical waste bin or container and our team will collect it and safely dispose of the contents. The container will be cleaned and reused for further collections where possible.

If you have your own empty chemical waste container, the proper disposal method depends on the material it’s made from and the chemicals it held. Always clean the container and remove any labels first. Then if the chemicals it contained were classed as non-dangerous you can recycle it as normal with your commercial glass, metal, or plastic.

Chemical waste containers are removed by licensed waste carriers and taken to a waste management centre where they’re emptied, and the contents disposed of safely. The empty chemical containers will be cleaned, and dried, and all labels removed. These containers can then be reused to store chemical waste in the future or may be recycled.

Not all chemical containers can be reused – it depends on the type of chemical they contained. Some also require thorough and professional cleaning with solvents and other cleaning products before they can be used again.

At Business Waste, we take care of the containers after collecting your chemical waste and disposing of it – so you don’t have to worry. We can advise on whether you can reuse a container that held oil, solvents, detergents, or any other chemicals.

Chlorine is one of the most commonly used chemicals in swimming pools, and you can recycle it. Scientists found a way to convert HCL waste back to its original components – hydrogen and chlorine. You can discharge chlorine from swimming pools and hot tubs to send to a treatment plant, where as much as possible can be recycled and reused – rather than polluting our waterways.