Acetone is a toxic liquid that can pollute the environment and cause health problems if not disposed of properly. If you work in a nail salon or use acetone to clean coins, you should wash your hands and dispose of the acetone in an appropriate container. Store acetone-soaked washcloths in a basket and take them to a toxic waste disposal facility. Paint thinner should be placed in a sealed container and placed in a tightly sealed metal trash can.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Discarding Acetone Cleaning Products
Step 1. Put a small amount of acetone into the trash bag
Place a cotton ball or cotton swab in a small trash bag, tie the bag tightly, and then put it in the trash. Wash your hands to remove any remaining acetone after handling the cotton.
- If the cotton swab comes in contact with nail polish remover, remember to squeeze it in a separate container and seal it tightly. Dispose of the container like hazardous waste.
- Use a trash can with a lid that opens and closes automatically to avoid exposure to acetone and other toxic waste you dispose of.
Step 2. Take old nail polish and nail polish remover to a toxic waste treatment facility
If you have a bottle of nail polish and cleanser that you don't use at the salon, put the bottle in a separate container. Take the container to a toxic waste disposal, handling, crushing, or recycling facility or an authorized agency, such as the Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (TSDR) in the United States.
- In the United States, you can search for TSDR facilities via the EPA's RCRAInfo website at https://www3.epa.gov/enviro/facts/rcrainfo/search.html by entering a specific geographic location, postal code, or name. facilities, if you know.
- Do not flush nail polish remover acetone down drains or toilets.
- Do not put large amounts of acetone in the regular trash.
Step 3. Take the remaining acetone to a toxic waste disposal facility
Put the acetone in a leak-proof container to protect it from fire. Acetone is flammable so it should be kept away from hot areas and fire.
If you use acetone to clean coins, you can filter out any solid residue so they can be reused. You can also take it to a toxic waste disposal facility in a closed container
Step 4. Wash your hands after using acetone products
It is an important part of acetone disposal. Even after you have disposed of and stored all of the acetone, hand washing is a must to maintain good health. You don't want any harmful chemicals left on your hands when you're about to eat or eat lunch! Scrub your hands with soap and water after handling nail polish remover.
If you can, get outside for a while to get some fresh air. You need to stay away from the chemicals in the salon for a while or you will start to experience symptoms of poisoning, such as dizziness and headaches
Step 5. Cover the container and wear a mask to protect it from the strong smell of acetone
When acetone is not being used, keep the container tightly closed. If the liquid is in the nail polish bottle, make sure the cap is tight or tight enough so it doesn't come out.
- Reduce exposure to the smell of acetone by wearing a special mask equipped with an air filter. The mask must pass the NIOSH standard. One of the recommended types is N95 which is able to filter out some acrylic powder, dust, bacteria, and chemical liquid odors. However, there are some chemicals that are not filtered out by this mask.
- Another type of mask that can be used is a half-face respirator mask. This object can filter the smell of acetone along with the smell of other toxic substances.
Method 2 of 3: Dispose of a Washcloth that has Acetone in it
Step 1. Place the acetone-soaked cloth in the toxic waste bin
If you work in a university laboratory or arts department, the rules require you to put acetone-infected rags in drums, buckets, and safety cans specifically for toxic substances. Acetone is flammable so a washcloth that absorbs it must be placed with water in a tightly sealed container. Tap the edges of the lid with a hammer to seal the container tightly.
If you can, dry the washcloth in a well-ventilated area that is safe from gusts of wind. Once dry, place the rag in a fireproof bag to take to a toxic waste disposal site
Step 2. Contact the nearest university to pick up the trash can
If you want the acetone to be taken away, contact the university you work for to collect the toxic waste material. For example, Rutgers University has a form to fill out via the following link.
Step 3. Take the acetone-absorbing cloth to a toxic waste disposal site
If any unused acetone product remains, take it to the nearest toxic waste disposal facility. Make sure the liquid is sealed in a special waste container to prevent leakage.
The community around you may hold regular household waste collection events. Contact local authorities for information about the event
Method 3 of 3: Discard Acetone Paint Thinner
Step 1. Locate the nearest toxic waste disposal facility
With a simple search on the internet, you can find a toxic waste disposal guide specifically for acetone. Each city or country has a different guide. So, make sure you read carefully the requirements provided by the nearest waste disposal facility.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the United States provides information on how to locate the nearest toxic waste disposal facility. The agency provides a link to find it through the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act Information (RCRAInfo)
Step 2. Filter the acetone-based paint thinner with a filter and coffee pot
Pour the used paint thinner into the coffee filter through a container. The paint will collect in the filter and the thinner will flow into the container below. Close the container tightly and take it to the nearest toxic waste disposal center.
- Let the coffee filter and paint dry. After that, wrap it with newspaper before throwing it in the trash.
- You can also reuse paint thinner. Be sure to label the container according to the type of paint thinner being stored and the time it was filtered.
Step 3. Dry off the remaining paint and wrap
Allow the paint on the coffee filter to harden. Make sure the paint has hardened before you throw it away. Wrap a newspaper or plastic bag and throw it in the trash when the paint is completely dry.
Always wear gloves and a mask to protect yourself from the smell of paint thinner
Warning
- If you work in a nail salon, don't wear a regular dust mask stuffed with a tissue as it won't protect you from the harmful smell of acetone.
- Do not place acetone on a hot surface or near a fire because it can catch fire easily, whether it is a liquid or a vapor.
