How to Dispose of Liquid Paraffin

Liquid paraffin is a by-product of petroleum refining. It is typically used in the pharmaceutical industry and to make waxes, paints, gels, cosmetics, polishes, and some types of rubber (Liquid Paraffin). Despite its many uses, liquid paraffin also has adverse effects on the environment. Therefore, the best way to dispose of liquid paraffin is through incineration at an approved facility.

How to Dispose of Liquid Paraffin

Incinerators are used for commercial hazardous waste disposal because they burn hotter than regular fires so that no toxins escape into the air. This process does produce carbon dioxide emissions but not enough to be harmful. In this blog post, we will show you several ways on how to dispose of liquid paraffin and how you can safely get rid of them!

10 Ways on How to Dispose of Liquid Paraffin:

1. Burn it.      

If you have a fireplace, you can burn liquid paraffin on New Year’s Eve to dispose of it in an environmentally friendly way.

It’s always a good idea to have a fire extinguisher on hand, just in case the paraffin catches fire and spreads too quickly to be put out with a dishrag or piece of cardboard. If liquid paraffin burns successfully, the final result should look something like this.

2. Let it evaporate.

If you have a fireplace, you can burn liquid paraffin on New Year’s Eve to dispose of it in an environmentally friendly way.

The Best Alternative Is to Leave the Paraffin Outside in an Area

3. Dump it down the drain.

If you don’t use liquid paraffin in your house, this is a great way to dispose of it. However, if you have used liquid paraffin in your home before disposing of it, do not attempt to put it down the drain or anywhere near water because paraffin is highly flammable and can ignite under certain conditions.

4. Put it in the trash.

When you’re ready to dispose of liquid paraffin, the best place to put it is in your regular trash can or dumpster. Then, take it out with your regular garbage and put it where it belongs.

If you have used liquid paraffin in your house before disposing of it, do not put it in the trash. Likewise, if you have used liquid paraffin on your skin, do not put it in the garbage because this could cause severe burns to people who handle it.

5. Mix it with kitty litter.

Putting liquid paraffin into a container filled with kitty litter is an excellent way to dispose of it. The kitty litter will absorb the liquid paraffin and keep it from evaporating or leaking all over your house.

6. Put it in an earthenware crock.

If you have a large earthenware bucket with a wooden lid, you can safely dispose of liquid paraffin by pouring it into the bucket and then closing the lid.

7. Put it in an iron crock.

Iron crocks are similar to earthenware crocks, but they are made out of iron. It is important to use an iron crock with a plastic bucket to prevent the iron crock from corroding.

Iron Crocks Are Very Similar to  Earthenware Crocks

8. Use sand to absorb it.

If you don’t have earthenware or iron crock, pour some sand into a container that can hold liquid paraffin. Then gently pour the liquid paraffin into the sand until it is completely absorbed.

9. Bury it in your yard.

The best way to dispose of liquid paraffin is to find a large, empty spot in your yard away from any plants or animals. If your soil is not very deep, make sure the spot is big enough so the paraffin doesn’t seep through.

10. Dissolve it in the sink with boiling water.

This is only recommended if you are planning on replacing your sink anyway. First, pour boiling water into the sink and mix it around with a stirring spoon or other utensils until all of the liquid paraffin dissolves. Then pour about three cups of vinegar down the drain to help remove any stains that the liquid paraffin may have caused.

Some Tips and Suggestions:

  1. Have a hose or water source so that you may pour the liquid paraffin into it.
  2. Make sure the area is well ventilated; does not work in an enclosed room while disposing of liquid paraffin.
  3. Wear safety equipment such as gloves and protective clothing to avoid contact with skin.
  4. Do not dispose of liquid paraffin in a sink or toilet.
  5. Do not dispose of liquid paraffin out the window, as this may pose a danger to others below your window.
  6. Mix clay-based cat litter with the liquid paraffin and dispose of accordingly. The clay-based cat litter will absorb the waxy substance, and upon drying, will solidify the liquid paraffin.
  7. Many grocery stores will accept used cooking oil for disposal, so inquire with the store manager if it is possible to recycle used cooking oil in this manner.

Conclusion:

If you have a large enough spot in your yard, you can safely dispose of liquid paraffin by digging a hole and burying it. Just make sure that the spot is away from any plants or animals that could be harmed by liquid paraffin. Also, if your soil is not very deep, this may not be the best way to dispose of liquid paraffin.

You can also use kitty litter to soak up any leftover liquid and help break down any hazardous materials. Please be mindful of how these containers may affect the environment when disposing of them. Make sure to break any airtight seals before disposal! We hope you found this blog post on how to dispose of liquid paraffin helpful. Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

Jennifer Branett
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