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How to Legally Dispose Hazardous Wastes

Dr. Hazelwood stated that,"Dilution is not the Solution to Pollution”. Hence, disposal methods should always be treated with great caution. For instance, it is illegal to dump most chemical wastes into sewage systems or into common garbage sites. Furthermore, it is also a federal offense to dump or burn solvents, varnishes and paints into the backyard. However, it is legal to allow very small amounts of solvents to evaporate. It is also legal, for large generators to recycle huge amounts of wastes. The materials that are commonly used by many conservators can be grouped into 5 chemical classes, they are, detergents, acids and alkalies, solvents, bleaches and ethyl ether. These classes must never be mixed together, for they are incompatible and hence are a safety hazard. Firstly, Solvents should be collected in glass vessels for glass is inert and will not rust through if water is mixed in with the waste. Dumping water soluble solvents down the drain is not acceptable. On the othe...