Chemical Safety

Chapter 9 Decontamination of Empty Containers

Empty containers must be decontaminated before they are recycled or disposed. All containers should be emptied as much as possible prior to decontamination. The following guidelines assume that only trace residues remain on the inside of the containers.

Containers less than 7 gallons in size
NOTE: If the container contained a material listed on the Acute Discarded Waste List, the wash/rinse MUST be saved and disposed through the DRS chemical waste disposal program.

Solvents
Water soluble solvents: rinse twice with water, then completely fill with water and empty to displace vapors. Allow to drain. Before disposing of the container remove the lid and write on the container's label "EMPTY" or "MT." Dispose of empty containers as regular trash.

Solvents not soluble in water: wash with a detergent or rinse twice with a water-soluble solvent such as acetone, then completely fill with water and empty to displace vapors. Allow to drain. Solvents (other than water) used for cleaning must be collected and disposed as chemical waste, they cannot go down the drain! Before disposing of the container remove the lid and write on the container's label "EMPTY" or "MT." Dispose of empty containers as regular trash.

Acids
Neutralize the liquid residues using sodium or potassium carbonate or bicarbonate. Rinse several times with water. The rinse water may be disposed down the drain. Before disposing of the container remove the lid and write on the container's label "EMPTY" or "MT." Dispose of empty containers as regular trash.

Bases
Neutralize the liquid residues using citric acid. Rinse several times with water. The rinse water may be disposed down the drain. Before disposing of the container remove the lid and write on the container's label "EMPTY" or "MT." Dispose of empty containers as regular trash.

Other liquids
Rinse the container twice with water, then completely fill the container with water and empty to displace vapors. Allow the container to drain. All rinse water may be disposed down the drain. Before disposing of the container remove the lid and write on the container's label "EMPTY" or "MT." Dispose of empty containers as regular trash.

Solids
Water soluble chemicals: rinse twice with water, then completely fill with water and empty. Allow to drain. Before disposing of the container remove the lid and write on the container's label "EMPTY" or "MT." Dispose of empty containers as regular trash.

Organic material not soluble in water: wash with a detergent or rinse twice with a water-soluble solvent such as acetone, then completely fill with water and empty. Allow to drain. Solvents (other than water) used for cleaning must be collected and disposed as chemical waste, they cannot go down the drain! Before disposing of the container remove the lid and write on the container's label "EMPTY" or "MT." Dispose of empty containers as regular trash.

Containers 7 gallons or greater in size (hereafter referred to as "drums")
NOTE: If the drum contained a material listed on the Acute Discarded Waste List, the wash/rinse MUST be saved and disposed through DRS.

Drums that once contained hazardous materials (flammable, corrosive, reactive, or toxic) may not be disposed of in regular trash or recycled unless they have been decontaminated to meet the requirements of “empty” drums, according to the U. S. EPA, the Illinois EPA and the U. S. Department of Transportation (DOT). The following instructions will help you to decontaminate drums for ultimate disposal or recycling.

Drums that contained oil only (no PCBs or solvents)

1. Empty all material out of the drum as best as possible.
2. Add absorbents or adsorbents (bentonite, kitty litter) to take up any free oil left in the drum.
3. Dispose absorbents and/or adsorbents in the trash (as long as there is no free-flowing oil).
4. The drum can then be discarded or recycled through the UIUC recycler (contact DRS at (217) 333-2755 for name and phone number).

Drums that contained hazardous materials other than oil

1. Empty all material out of the drum as best possible. Avoid leaving easily removable residues.
2. The drum should be washed/rinsed three times with a suitable solvent. If the material is soluble in water, then use water to wash/rinse. If the material is not soluble in water, use a suitable organic solvent such as acetone for the first two washes and water for the final rinse.
3. The top of the drum should be removed, using a drum de-header if necessary. DRS can assist you if needed. NOTE: If the drum contained a flammable material, it should be evaluated for potential explosive hazards. Call DRS at (217) 333-2755 for assistance with this evaluation.
4. Wear safety goggles during washing/rinsing process. Heavy gloves should be worn to prevent crushed fingers and protect against sharp edges. When washing the drum, gloves impervious to the solvent should be worn.
5. For a 55-gallon drum, each wash/rinse cycle will typically require 1-5 gallons of the solvent. Smaller drums will require less solvent. The solvent should be sprayed around the side of the drum to dissolve residues. Once in the drum, the solvent should be sloshed around so that residues are dissolved. It may be helpful to use a brush or other mechanical aid to facilitate the cleaning.
   NOTE: Additional wash cycles may be used if the drum does not appear to be clean after three cycles.
6. The wash/rinse material may be disposed via the sanitary sewer if all of the following conditions are met:
   1. the original contents of the drum did not contain a material listed on the Acute Discarded Waste List
   2. Water was used as the cleaning solvent.
   3. The resulting waste has a pH between 6 and 9.
   4. Concentrations of heavy metals are within the limits set by the Urbana-Champaign Sanitary District (see USCD restrictions for sewer disposal in Chapter 3).
   5. The final wash solution is not flammable.
   
   NOTE: Email the DRS Chemical Safety Section or call (217) 333-2755 if you have any questions about whether the material can be disposed via the sanitary sewer. Absolutely no materials should be disposed via the storm sewer.
7. Label the drum(s): "This drum has been triple washed/ rinsed." Paint over or cross through any other markings on the drum.
8. Empty metal drums can be recycled through the UIUC's recycler (contact DRS (217) 333-2755 for name and phone number). Empty poly (plastic) drums may be disposed in the dumpster.