Acetone is a transparent, flammable liquid that is typically used as a solvent in a variety of industries. Acetone’s safety for household usage is one of its finest features. It is commonly used to remove nail polish.
Despite all of its advantages, it is a toxic substance. Throwing it away in your garbage can may pose health and environmental risks.
Acetone can wind up in landfills if it is inappropriately disposed of, which may lead to water pollution and significant health problems.
Why is the Improper Disposal of Acetone Dangerous?
It might not appear like a particularly dangerous chemical because nail polish remover is present in the majority of houses. But if you’ve ever entered a manicure salon, you’ve probably noticed that most, if not all, of the nail techs, are hiding behind masks.
This is due to the fact that exposure to acetone can cause dizziness and irritated eyes, skin, and throat in addition to the harsh chemicals present in nail glue and dead skin cells in the air, according to OSHA.
Just like gas, there is a risk of fire everywhere acetone goes, from your house to the landfill. It just burns so easily. Even though it is extremely unlikely, there is still a chance that something could ignite the acetone. However, disposing of old gas requires a different method.
Acetone that has been incorrectly disposed of will begin to leak into the nearby soil as soon as it is in the ground. The ground will become utterly sterile as a result of this. Additionally, there is a considerable risk that the acetone will end up in the nearby water supply. Both humans and animals will be at risk from this.
What Do You Need to Get Rid of Acetone?
Both the environment and human health are seriously endangered by acetone. Because of this, acetone must be used, stored, and disposed of carefully.
No matter how much acetone you’re working with, it’s crucial to use safety precautions when handling and disposing of it.
The following are some safety tools you’ll need when getting rid of acetone:
- Protective gloves
- A mask (if you’re working with a lot of acetone
- A plastic bag for trash
- A metal container with a seal
If you own a beauty care salon, you probably use acetone extensively. For information on appropriate disposal, you can get in touch with your neighborhood fire department.
Some fire departments require companies to discard acetone in fire-resistant containers.
It’s also critical to be aware of any state regulations governing the disposal of hazardous waste. You must transport acetone trash to a recycling center as required by law in some states.
If you use a lot of acetone, it is important to learn about its proper disposal.
How Can I Properly Dispose of My Acetone?
It’s important to get rid of acetone properly. Larger quantities of acetone containers must be brought to a hazardous waste disposal center, while small quantities of contaminated cotton balls or rags can be put in the garbage.
We will walk you through all you need to know regarding how to get rid of it safely in this guide.
1. Fill a Waste Bag with Little Quantities of Acetone
Place acetone cotton swabs or balls in a tiny garbage bag, seal the bag, and dispose of it in the trash. After handling cotton balls, thoroughly wash your hands to remove any acetone residue.
Remember to squeeze out cotton balls that have been covered in nail polish remover into a different container with a tight-fitting lid. That container should be disposed of as hazardous garbage.
To prevent exposure to acetone and other toxic waste that you throw out, use garbage cans with self-opening and shutting lids.
If at all possible, dry the materials where there won’t be any wind to carry them away. Place them in a fireproof bag and take them to the hazardous waste facility when they have dried.
2. Take any remaining acetone to the Toxic Waste Facility
It’s crucial to dispose of old nail polish, remover, and residual acetone properly. In a different container, store any nail paint and remover bottles that are no longer in use at your salon or residence.
Keep it in a leak-proof bottle, away from anything that could catch fire. Keep acetone away from open flames and hot surfaces since it is flammable.
If any particles are strained out, acetone can be reused after cleaning coins. In the appropriate containers, you may also get rid of them at a toxic waste site.
Take the containers to a facility for the handling, recycling, or disposal of hazardous waste or the Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (TSDR). You should be able to Find the hazardous waste facility closest to you by entering specified geographic regions, zip codes, or a facility name if you know it. You may locate a TSDR facility using the EPA’s RCRAInfo search tool.
You can also find the acetone drop-off policies for your local facility by conducting a quick web search for it.Be sure to understand the requirements set by your local facility since they may vary between states and cities.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) offers details on how to look for a nearby facility that removes hazardous trash. They offer a link to the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act Information search page (RCRAInfo).
3. Acetone Paint Thinner Disposal
Put on protective gloves and a mask before disposing of the acetone paint thinner. This is to shield you from the paint thinner’s acetone fumes. Pour the used paint thinner through a coffee filter and into a jar or other container that can be sealed.
While the thinner pours into the jar, the paint in the thinner will ramp up in the filter. Jar lids should be firmly closed or the container should be sealed.
Leave the coffee filters carrying the paint to dry, then wrap them in newspaper and dispose of them in the household garbage. Acetone that has accumulated in the jar can be used as paint thinner once again.
The date you strained the thinner and the type of thinner should be labeled on the jar.
Locate a facility that recycles and disposes of hazardous trash close to your home. On the EPA or Earth911 websites, you may do a search for these facilities.
4. Wash Your Hands After Handling Acetone-Based Products
This is a crucial step in acetone disposal. It’s still important to wash your hands for your health even after you’ve disposed of and stored all goods. You don’t want to eat your lunch break with that dangerous chemical on your hands! After working with nail polish remover, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
For a breath of fresh air, go outside if you can. You must take a long break from using beauty care chemicals if you don’t want to encounter symptoms like headaches and dizziness.
Safety Tips for Handling Acetone
Small levels of acetone exposure over a short period of time often pose little risk. Regardless of the quantity, you should always use caution while handling acetone. Using acetone safely requires the following knowledge:
- Make sure there is adequate ventilation in the space where you are applying acetone and put on a mask, safety goggles, and rubber or plastic gloves.
- Work on a hard, level surface if possible so that any spills are easy to clean up. Use acetone only on a surface that won’t absorb the solvent.
- If you use acetone in a salon or any other company, you need to have the necessary licenses and permissions.
- Never flush the toilet or drain with acetone nail polish remover. Used acetone paper goods should be thrown away in a different plastic waste bag.
- A lot of acetone should not be disposed of in regular garbage.
Can I Pour Acetone Down a Drain or Plughole?
Always keep in mind not to pour acetone into a drain. Although it may seem like a simple solution to dispose of the garbage, there are several dangers.
Some individuals attempt to unclog a clogged drain using acetone since it is a powerful solvent. It will certainly cause a lot of issues in addition to dissolving the debris that is obstructing your drain.
The following are some reasons why it’s not a good idea to pour acetone down a drain or plughole:
- Plastic pipes in plumbing systems can melt when exposed to acetone. As a result, your plumbing system will be harmed, and the repair will be time- and money-consuming.
- A water treatment procedure is used on the sewage water. Chemicals in the water are neither treated nor removed by this technique. Because of this, plants and wildlife are at risk from the lost water that passes through this process.
- The fact that acetone is flammable poses the most risk. Its fumes run the risk of igniting in drains and causing explosions.
- These and other factors show that pouring acetone down the drain might not be a good idea. Therefore, it’s crucial to constantly get rid of acetone properly.
We’ve also put together other guides to help you dispose of other household items. You may want to see How to Dispose of Bleach.
