Difference between revisions of "Proper disposal of chemicals"
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| style="text-align:center;"| Little is known about its environmental effect; it is used as a fungicide and molluscicide<ref>http://www.drugfuture.com/chemdata/cuprous-sulfite.html</ref> | | style="text-align:center;"| Little is known about its environmental effect; it is used as a fungicide and molluscicide<ref>http://www.drugfuture.com/chemdata/cuprous-sulfite.html</ref> | ||
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| − | | style="text-align:center;"| [[Chloral | + | | style="text-align:center;"| [[Chloral hydrate]] |
| style="text-align:center;"| Reducing with alkali hydroxide or magnesium, followed by incineration | | style="text-align:center;"| Reducing with alkali hydroxide or magnesium, followed by incineration | ||
| style="text-align:center;"| Gives off hydrogen chloride fumes during burning/pyrolysis | | style="text-align:center;"| Gives off hydrogen chloride fumes during burning/pyrolysis | ||
Revision as of 23:43, 29 December 2023
Most chemicals used by the amateur chemist come from every day use and do not require special treatment before being discarded in the usual way. However there are many chemicals, such as heavy metal compounds or organic solvents, that require special disposal techniques. In the interest of keeping lab costs low, though, it may be a good idea to look into ways to recycle and recover chemicals such as solvents, which can be reclaimed by distillation.
IMPORTANT NOTE!!!
The information posted in this article is merely a collection of observations from various amateur chemists and is NOT meant for professionally disposing large amounts of chemicals and should NOT be used as a guideline on neutralizing reagents. For the disposal of large amounts of hazardous reagents or for special reagents, ask the help of professional hazardous chemical disposal entities. ALWAYS CHECK THE LOCAL LAWS BEFORE DISPOSING OF ANY REAGENT! This wiki will NOT take any responsibility (legal or other) for any (failed) attempts at neutralizing hazardous reagents. Do not treat the written disposal guidelines as absolute.
Contents
Standard procedures
Acids
Acids are best neutralized with a base, such as carbonate/bicarbonate, hydroxide (calcium hydroxide e.g.) best as aqueous solution. Before neutralizing them, always dilute the acid first, to limit splashing or boiling the acid. ALWAYS POUR THE ACID IN WATER AND NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND! After you diluted the acid, dissolve the base in water or, if it's insoluble, add just enough water to turn it into a suspension. Slowly add the base in the diluted acid, and watch out for foaming or, if it's a strong acid, boiling. Never add solid alkali bases in strong acids, as this will cause the acids to violently boil and splash acid everywhere. After neutralization, you're left with a solution containing the salt of the neutralized acid. Salts of hydrochloric, sulfuric, phosphoric acids can be further diluted then safely poured down the drain, or recycled if you want.
The soluble salts of halogen acids and oxoacids (except perchloric and chloric acids) can be safely poured down the drain. Special acids and their salts, such as hydrazoic acid and azides must not be poured directly down the drain, they must be treated with nitrous acid to destroy them.
Oxidizing mixtures, such as aqua regia, piranha solution or the nitrating mixture must also never be poured down the drain, as they're much more dangerous than simple acids, and can wreak havoc on your plumbing. Instead, they must be neutralized first.
Bases
Alkali hydroxides can be left in open air to absorb carbon dioxide as well as corrosive and unpleasant gases, forming carbonates and salts. However, as the carbonate is formed, it will creep out of the flask, covering it. For quicker results, alkali bases can be neutralized with any acid, though for practical and economical purposes, acetic acid or citric acid are sufficient. Just make sure to dilute the bases first. Bases may be reused to absorb acidic vapors in a desiccator, which mitigates their dangers. Care must be taken to avoid excess heating with strong bases.
Cyanides
Waste containing cyanide, either from gold refining or from organic extractions of alkaloids from cyanide containing plants, must be neutralized with bleach or hydrogen peroxide, to turn them into less harmful cyanates. The resulting cyanates will slowly hydrolyze in basic environment to ammonium carbonates, while excess bleach/oxidizer will further convert them to nitrogen and carbon dioxide.
Cyanides must never be poured down the drain before neutralization.
Heavy metals
Since the biggest hazard comes from the volatile and soluble heavy metal compounds, it's best to convert them into insoluble compounds, which are less toxic.
Heavy metals, such as mercury, can often be neutralized with a mixture of zinc and sulfur powders, which yields mercury sulfide aka cinnabar. This compound is insoluble in water and acids, showing little reactivity.
Very dangerous heavy metals such as cadmium, thallium and arsenic should always be properly disposed of at designated facilities, as their effects on human life and the environment is sometimes catastrophic.
Inorganic anions
Inorganic anions, based on halogens, sulfur, phosphorus, nitrogen, carbon and silicon can be flushed down the drain with lots of water. Examples of these are sulfide, sulfate, chloride, chlorate, nitrate, nitrite, thiocyanate.[1]
Metal ions
A good rule of thumb for transition metals is to convert solutions of their ions to the insoluble carbonate or oxide, often one of the most stable and nontoxic forms of these elements, prior to disposal. Another simple solution is to reduce the ions back to the metal.
Copper salts are dangerous to the environment and should be reduced with iron to elemental copper, that can be reused, and the iron salts produced are less toxic.
Nickel-containing compounds, especially organonickel compounds, are carcinogens, and are also dangerous to many other forms of life. It is a good idea to take these to a proper waste disposal facility.
Cobalt salts may be carcinogenic and should be taken to a proper waste disposal facility.
Aluminium compounds generally should not be disposed in the sewage. They can, however, be converted to aluminium sulfate, which is safe to dispose of in soil, though it will cause a decrease in pH (it is used as a fertilizer for this purpose), and in diluted form can be poured down the drain, as at low concentrations it's used in the treatment of water. It is a good idea to dispose of aluminium sulfate and a safe basic compound (such as calcium carbonate) at the same time.
Many compounds of chromium, especially chromium(VI), are poisonous and carcinogenic. These should be converted to the +3 oxidation state; hydrogen peroxide as well as sulfites or thiosulfate will do this, which is typically the least harmful, preferably to chromium(III) oxide. Chromium dioxide may be another feasible option, as it is found in cassette tapes and can be recycled with them.
Zinc compounds can be refined to zinc metal using electrowinning. It's not recommended to use zinc compounds obtained from technical sources as zinc supplements for soil or livestock, as it may contain traces of heavy metals, such as cadmium.
Some MSDS sheets recommend that rare earths be converted to their oxalates or carbonates and disposed of in the trash.
Alkali metals are minimally toxic as their salts and may be dumped down the drain.
Organic compounds
Organic solvents should be poured in labeled waste tanks, such as: halogenated, non-halogenated solvents. Flammable organic solvents that are safe in low exposures, such as ethanol, methanol, and acetone can often simply be burned outside for disposal, as most often their combustion products are simply carbon dioxide and water. It may be a better idea just to recover them by distillation, though. An alcohol burner can be used to burn these liquids.
Halogenated compounds like chloroform can be neutralized with a strong base, although this neutralization should not be done without safety precautions.
A good, though resource-intensive way to destroy halogenated and aromatic compounds is with Fenton's reagent, which breaks them down to simpler non-toxic compounds. It's best however, to avoid dumping large quantities of waste, as the reaction in exothermic and may splash or volatilize some of the waste, so it's best to perform the neutralization in small steps. Many methods described in literature involve slowly bubbling the organic compound with a carrier gas in the Fenton solution, as this increases oxidation and limits splashing. However, because only small amounts of compound gets neutralized at a time, this process takes a while. For safety, you will need to use diluted hydrogen peroxide, meaning that at the end of the neutralization process you will be left with a large volume of water filled with iron precipitate and some organic residues that did not decompose completely, though they're generally not as toxic as their parent compound.
Chromic acid and it's derivatives can also be used to destroy hazardous chemical compounds, as it neutralizes them to carbon dioxide and water. However, chromic acid will (violently) oxidize alcohols to their respective aldehydes or ketones, which cannot be oxidized further by the acid alone, which limits it's use in neutralizing many compounds.
Piranha solution is an excellent material for the disposal of organic compounds. The decomposition is highly exothermic and the resulting smoke is very dangerous. As such, this method is generally considered a last resort in disposal, and it's mostly used for cleaning rather than disposal.
Organic salts, such as acetates and oxalates can be pyrolyzed to carbonates and water vapors. The decomposition works best in oxygen-rich atmosphere.
Recycling
Main article: Reagent recycling
Sometimes it is an option to purify waste products into chemicals that are pure enough to be used again. While this can sometimes be time consuming, it can often be more environmentally and economically friendly than discarding the waste in one manner or another is. Before discarding waste, think about what all it contains, and if there is some way that it could be used.
Down the drain vs. into the soil
The availability of these disposal methods varies depending on where you live. If you live in an apartment block, you only have the drain. If you live in a suburban house, you have both. If you live in some quaint rustic shithole paradise like the author of this edit, you only have the "into the soil" option.
Generally, the soil option is safer, because there is no plumbing you should worry about, but some chemicals shouldn't be released into the soil, either. In general, your designated place for pouring chemicals into the soil should be far from any gardens, horticulture or any other agricultural objects. Chemicals marked as "Oh yes!" in the table below are harmless and even useful in agriculture as fertilizers. These you can pour down in your garden.
Lists of various chemical compounds that can be safely released in the ground or down the drain can be found here, here or here.
Other
Heavy metal salts or solutions can be mixed with cement, and trapped by making a concrete block. The resulting block can also be covered in another layer of cement, to reduce the diffusion of the heavy metals. Unless the concrete is damaged, broken or dissolved in acid, the heavy metal ions will not be released. However, this merely is a method to prevent the heavy metals from being released in the environment and is not a permanent way of disposal.
Legal considerations
Releasing hazardous chemicals in the environment is a crime in all jurisdictions and carries heavy fines or even jail time. While properly neutralized reagents may be poured down the drain, dumping very large amounts of said reagents is frowned upon. Incineration is attractive as it's a good method of getting rid of wastes, but unless you're using an incinerator, some material will not be destroyed and instead it will be scattered in air. Likewise, it's forbidden to burn certain materials in open air, such as aromatic compounds or organosulfur compounds and for those, special incinerators are a must.
Always check the local laws before choosing the disposal method.
Chemical disposal table
A-L
| Substance | Neutralization | Heat treatment | Down the drain | Into the soil | Environmental considerations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,2-Dichloroethane | Oxidation with Fenton's reagent; Concentrated solution of sodium hydroxide | Flammable, releases corrosive fumes | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Toxic to wildlife |
| 1,2,4-Butanetriol trinitrate | Safe detonation in remote area; Strong dilution in organic solvent followed by safe incineration; Hydrolysis with cold sodium hydroxide solution | Detonation above 230 °C | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Toxic to organisms; nitrate source for plants |
| 1,4-Dichlorobenzene | Oxidation with an oxidizing solution, such as chromic acid, piranha solution, Fenton's reagent | Flammable, releases corrosive fumes | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Toxic to wildlife, suspected carcinogen |
| 1,4-Dioxane | Incineration (no peroxides); Oxidation with Fenton's reagent; Chlorination in water with chlorine or hypochlorous acid; If peroxides are present, addition of excess ferrous sulfate, sodium bisulfite or metabisulfite to neutralize the peroxides, followed by incineration; If the bottle has peroxides on the cap, do not open it, instead safely detonate it in a remote or special area | Incineration produces carbon dioxide and water vapor | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Although small amounts can be diluted with large amounts of water and poured down the drain, 1,4-dioxane does not undergo significant biodegradation and most will end up in the environment.[2] |
| 2-Chloroethanol | Oxidation with Fenton's reagent | Generates carbon dioxide, HCl, water, phosgene | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Toxic to all wildlife |
| 2-Mercaptoethanol | Hydrogen peroxide, bleach; poured down the drain | Decomposes to release hydrogen sulfide, sulfur dioxide and carbon dioxide | Neutralize it with bleach or hydrogen peroxide first | Not recommended | Harmful to organisms due to its ability to weaken S-S bonds in various tissues |
| 2-Nitrotoluene | Oxidation with Fenton's reagent | Generates oxidation products and lots of soot | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Toxic to all wildlife |
| 2,2,4-Trimethylpentane | Incineration | Generates carbon oxides, water vapor and soot | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Toxic to wildlife and dangerous for water bodies as it floats |
| 2,4-Dinitrobromobenzene | Oxidation with Fenton's reagent | Generates carbon oxides, water vapor, soot and bromine vapors | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Toxic to all wildlife |
| 4-Aminoantipyrine | Strong dilution; Oxidation with Fenton's reagent | Generates carbon oxides, water vapor, soot and nitrogen vapors | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Considered to be toxic to wildlife, but not much is known about its effects |
| 4-Toluenesulfonyl chloride | Neutralization with diluted aq. NaOH; Strong dilution; Oxidation with Fenton's reagent | Generates carbon oxides, water vapor, soot, sulfur oxides and HCl fumes | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Considered to be toxic to wildlife, but not much is known about its effects |
| Acetaldehyde | Incineration; Sodium pyrosulfite; L-cysteine | Generates carbon oxides and water vapors; some will evaporate when heated | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Toxic to the wildlife |
| Acetamide | Dilution in a more flammable solvent, followed by incineration; Oxidation with Fenton's reagent | Gives off carbon monoxide, dioxide, ammonia, acetonitrile, hydrogen cyanide | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Possibly harmful |
| Acetamidine hydrochloride | Addition to water followed by heating, yielding acetic acid and ammonium chloride | Anhydrous conditions yields ammonium chloride and acetonitrile; In presence of water acetic acid and ammonium chloride are formed | Dilute first | Dilute first | Effects unknown, possibly toxic |
| Acetic acid | Bicarbonates, carbonates, bases, oxides | Flammable (high concentrations), no dangerous combustion products | Yes | Yes | Safe, biodegradable; avoid dumping large amounts, acidifies soil |
| Acetic anhydride | Bicarbonates, carbonates, bases, oxides | Flammable, no dangerous combustion products | Yes | Yes | Biodegradable; avoid dumping large amounts, acidifies soil |
| Acetone | Oxidation/incineration, reducing, photolysis | Flammable, no dangerous combustion products | Not advised | Yes | Biodegradable, though not advised for large amounts |
| Acetone peroxide | Photolysis, detonation in safe area | Explosive, not recommended | Not advised | Not advised | Biodegradable, though not advised |
| Acetonitrile | Fenton's reagent; Aqueous solution of excess sodium hydroxide[3] | All treatments give some hydrogen cyanide fumes | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Toxic to all life due to its cyanide/nitrile group; does not quickly break down in environment |
| Acetophenone | Mixed with a more flammable solvent and incinerated | Generates smoke, carbon dioxide and water vapors | Yes, but dilute it first | Yes, but dilute it first | Relative safe, biodegradable; Occurs naturally in small amounts |
| Acetyl chloride | Slow addition to a basic solution | Burn products include hydrogen chloride which is corrosive | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Extremely toxic and corrosive to organisms and environment |
| Acetylacetone | Incineration | Gives off carbon dioxide and water vapors | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Toxic to wildlife |
| Acetylene | Oxidation, photolysis | Dangerously flammable | Not possible | Not possible | Safe, biodegradable |
| Acetylsalicylic acid | Any base | Not particularly helpful | Yes | Yes | Safe, biodegradable |
| Acrolein | Addition of a base, which causes polymerization | Burns in the presence of oxygen releasing carbon oxides, water, and various other organic products | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Extremely toxic to all organisms |
| Activated carbon | Burning, dumping in ground; Desorption by heating it to high temperature and reuse | Results in carbon dioxide and ash | DO NOT DUMP | OH YES! | Unless it adsorbed dangerous volatile compounds or heavy metals, it can be used as a fertilizer (powdered form); Less effective as beads or pellets |
| Agar | Not required | Pyrolysis gives foul smelling compounds | Yes | Yes | Safe, biodegradable; nourishment for many organisms |
| Allyl alcohol | Diluted with a flammable solvent, like ethanol or acetone and burned; Epoxidation and hydrolysis to glycerol | Burns, releasing an acrid smoke | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Very toxic to all organisms |
| Alnico | Recycled Dumped in trash |
Loses magnetism when heated and melts at high temperatures | Not recommended | Not recommended | Nickel and cobalt are harmful for the environment |
| Alpha-pinene | Not required | Generates smoke, carbon dioxide and water vapor | Yes | Yes | Safe, biodegradable; Occurs naturally |
| Aluminium chloride | Treatment with water, precipitation with a base | No effect; Water solutions however will give off hydrogen chloride vapors | Not advised | Yes | Lowers the soil pH, corrosive |
| Aluminium iodide | Treatment with water, precipitation with a base; recycling of iodine | No effect; Water solutions however will give off hydrogen iodide and iodine vapors | Not advised | Yes | Lowers the soil pH, corrosive |
| Aluminium isopropoxide | Incineration outside; Treatment with water, recovery of isopropanol and aluminium oxide/hydroxide or incineration of isopropanol | Melts and decomposes to give various ketones and isopropanol which may ignite; leaves behind alumina residue | Do not dump | DO NOT DUMP | Increases level of aluminium from soil, corrosive and harmful to organisms |
| Aluminium nitrate | Pyrolysis; Aqueous ammonia or alkaline hydroxide solution | Gives off nitrogen oxide fumes | DO NOT DUMP | Not recommended | Lowers soil pH, corrosive |
| Aluminium oxide | Not always required, can be dumped in trash | Not useful | Do not dump, may clog plumbing | Yes, but avoid dumping large amounts | Increases level of aluminium in soil, toxic to animals in large quantities |
| Aluminium phosphide | Diluted sodium hypochlorite, bleach | Burns in air, releasing fumes of phosphorus pentoxide and aluminium oxide, as well as traces of phosphine if any moisture is present | DO NOT DUMP! | DO NOT DUMP | Releases phosphine gas on contact with water, which is deadly to organisms |
| Aluminium sulfate | Any alkaline hydroxide | Releases sulfur oxides at high temperature | Dilute it first; neutralization with a base first is recommended | No | Increases the aluminium concentration in soil and water, lowers pH |
| Aluminium sulfide | Hydrogen peroxide, bleach | No | NO | NO | Releases hydrogen sulfide on contact with water, which is toxic to organisms |
| Amatol | VERY controlled incineration | Burns, may detonate in the presence of metallic impurities, like copper, brass | DO NOT DUMP! | DO NOT DUMP! | While ammonium nitrate is a good nitrogen source for plants, TNT is very harmful for wildlife |
| Aminoguanidine | Not required, can be discarded in any way | Pyrolysis gives nitrogen and carbon oxides | Yes | Yes | Safe, biodegradable |
| Aminoguanidinium bicarbonate | Not required, can be dumped in ground; Pyrolysis done outside | Pyrolysis gives nitrogen, water and carbon/nitrogen oxides | Yes, but not recommended | Yes | Little is known about its environmental impact |
| Aminoguanidinium nitrate | Not required, can be dumped in ground; Careful and controlled pyrolysis | Pyrolysis gives nitrogen, water and carbon/nitrogen oxides; may explode at high temperatures | Not recommended | Yes | Safe, nitrogen source for plants; Guanidine derivates occur in guano |
| Ammonal | VERY controlled incineration | Burns, may detonate in the presence of metallic impurities, like copper | DO NOT DUMP! | DO NOT DUMP! | While ammonium nitrate is a good nitrogen source for plants, the aluminium, TNT and other impurities present are harmful for wildlife |
| Ammonia | Oxidation, neutralization with acids | At high concentrations may generate nitrogen oxides | Not possible (gaseous), safe to pour (as solution) | Not possible (gaseous), safe to pour (as solution); Good nitrogen source for plants | Biodegradable |
| Ammonium acetate | Unnecessary | Releases acetonitrile fumes | Yes | Yes | Safe, biodegradable |
| Ammonium azide | Acidified sodium nitrite, nitrous acid | Slowly volatilizes and explodes at 400 °C releasing nitrogen, hydrogen and ammonia gasses | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Very toxic for wildlife |
| Ammonium bicarbonate | Pyrolysis, hydroxides, acids | Decomposes on heating releasing carbon dioxide, ammonia fumes and water vapors | Yes | Oh yes! | Safe, good fertilizer (nitrogen source) |
| Ammonium bisulfate | Neutralize it with ammonia; can then poured down the drain | Decomposes to release sulfur oxides and ammonia | Yes, though recommended to neutralize first | No, neutralize first | Acidic, but once neutralized good nitrogen and sulfur source for plants |
| Ammonium bisulfite | While it can be diluted and poured down the drain, it's recommended to neutralize it first; hydrogen peroxide and ammonia can be used to safely neutralize it | Decomposes to release sulfur dioxide and ammonia | Yes, though recommended to neutralize first | No, neutralize first | Oxidation of aqueous ammonium bisulfite to bisulfate can reduce the amount of dissolved oxygen from water bodies and will lower water pH |
| Ammonium carbonate | Pyrolysis, hydroxides, acids | Decomposes on heating releasing carbon dioxide, ammonia fumes and water vapors | Yes | Oh yes! | Safe, good fertilizer (nitrogen source) |
| Ammonium chlorate | Controlled incineration in small batches | Decomposes on heating releasing nitrogen, water, oxygen and hydrogen chloride, sometimes explosively | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Chlorates are harmful to plants |
| Ammonium chloride | Soluble sulfate salts, base + other acid | Decomposes on heating releasing ammonia and hydrogen chloride | Yes | Yes | Safe, good fertilizer (nitrogen source); May prove unsuitable to chloride sensitive plants |
| Ammonium chromate | Reducing with a reducing agent, such as sodium metabisulfite, sulfite, bisulfite, ascorbic acid, at acidic pH | Decomposes, the famous volcano reaction, releasing nitrogen gas, water vapors, fine particulates of unburnt ammonium chromate, leaving behind Cr(III) oxide | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Cr(VI) ions are carcinogenic and very toxic to organisms |
| Ammonium dichromate | Reducing with a reducing agent, such as sodium metabisulfite, sulfite, bisulfite, ascorbic acid at acidic pH | Decomposes, the famous volcano reaction, releasing nitrogen gas, water vapors, fine particulates of unburnt ammonium dichromate, leaving behind Cr(III) oxide | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Cr(VI) ions are carcinogenic and very toxic to organisms |
| Ammonium dihydrogen phosphate | Not required; Slaked lime can be used to precipitate calcium phosphate | Decomposes on heating to release ammonia | Yes | Yes | Safe, good fertilizer (nitrogen and phosphorus source) |
| Ammonium dinitramide | Careful thermal decomposition | Decomposes on heating to release nitrogen, water and oxygen; may explode if heated too high | Do not dump | Unknown | While it may be a good fertilizer, its environmental effects are unknown |
| Ammonium ferrocyanide | Not required | Decomposes in several steps, releasing ammonia, water, cyanogen, ferric oxide, in air | Dilute first | Dilute first | Low toxicity, environmental effects unknown |
| Ammonium formate | Alkali hydroxide, carbonate, sulfate; heating in the presence of a base | Decomposes on heating to release ammonia, carbon monoxide, hydrogen cyanide and water | Yes, if diluted | Yes, if diluted | Dangerous to wildlife in large amounts |
| Ammonium heptamolybdate | Alkali hydroxide, carbonate, sulfate; Dilution, poured down the drain | Decomposes on heating to release ammonia, water, leaving behind MoO3 | Yes, if strongly diluted | Not recommended | Dangerous to wildlife in large amounts |
| Ammonium hypophosphite | Diluted cooled hydrogen peroxide solution | Decomposes to ammonia and phosphine | Neutralize first | Neutralize first | Harmful to organisms, especially aquatic ones |
| Ammonium iron(II) sulfate | Pyrolysis, hydroxides, carbonates | Emits ammonia, sulfur oxides and water vapors, leaving behind iron oxides | Yes | Oh yes! | Safe, good fertilizer (nitrogen, iron and sulfur source); May cause algal bloom in water bodies however |
| Ammonium nitrate | Pyrolysis, hydroxides, carbonates | Emits nitrous oxide, may explode if the temperature is too high | Yes | Oh yes! | Safe, good fertilizer (nitrogen source); May cause algal bloom in water bodies however |
| Ammonium nitrite | Alkali hydroxides; strong dilution followed by heating; will slowly decompose even at room temperature, so you may leave it in a safe area and let it decompose | Decomposes or detonates, releasing nitrogen and water vapors | DO NOT DUMP | Yes | Decomposes quickly in environment, especially at low pH |
| Ammonium oxalate | Alkali hydroxide, carbonate, sulfate; pyrolysis in the presence of a base | Decomposes on heating to release ammonia, carbon monoxide, oximide, hydrogen cyanide and water vapors | Yes, if diluted | Yes, if diluted | May pose a threat to wildlife in large amounts; Occurs naturally in guano |
| Ammonium perchlorate | Reduction with metallic iron under UV light in the absence of air; Heating perchlorate at 200 °C with metallic iron for several hours | Decomposes to release nitrogen, water vapors, oxygen and hydrogen chloride | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Hazardous to aquatic life |
| Ammonium permanganate | Dissolution in water, followed by reduction with sulfur dioxide or sodium sulfite, thiosulfate or metabisulfite | Detonates above 60-110 °C, releasing nitrogen, water vapors and a smoke of manganese dioxide | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Strong oxidizer and explosive, hazardous for wildlife |
| Ammonium persulfate | Pyrolysis, hydrolysis, various reducing agents | Decomposes at 120 °C releasing sulfur and nitrogen oxides, oxygen and ammonia | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Strong oxidizer, hazardous for wildlife |
| Ammonium sulfamate | Not required; Strong dilution is sufficient | Decomposes on heating to release ammonia, sulfur dioxide, sulfuric acid vapors | Yes | Yes | Considered to be environmentally friendly due to its degradation to non-harmful residues |
| Ammonium sulfate | Not required; Calcium hydroxide can be used to precipitate calcium sulfate | Decomposes on heating to release ammonia, sulfur dioxide, sulfuric acid vapors | Yes | Yes | Safe, good fertilizer (nitrogen and sulfur source); slightly lowers the soil pH |
| Ammonium sulfide | Hydrogen peroxide; hot sulfur dioxide | Decomposes releasing hydrogen sulfide and ammonia | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Extremely toxic for wildlife; Dangerous for the environment (DSD) |
| Ammonium sulfite | Not required, simply pour down the drain; Bleach or hydrogen peroxide can be used if desired | Decomposes to release sulfur dioxide | Yes | Yes | Oxidation of aqueous ammonium sulfite to sulfate can reduce the amount of dissolved oxygen from water bodies; otherwise, safe, used as fertilizer |
| Ammonium tetrafluoroborate | Precipitation with sodium hydroxide to less sodium fluorides | Emits very toxic fumes of hydrogen fluoride, nitrogen oxides and ammonia | Do not dump | Do not dump | Harmful for organisms |
| Ammonium thiosulfate | Dilute then pour down the drain; Bleach or hydrogen peroxide can be used if desired | Decomposes to release sulfur dioxide, ammonia, water vapors | Yes, but dilute first | Yes, but dilute first | May be harmful for aquatic life; safe, used as fertilizer |
| Amygdalin | Bleach or hydrogen peroxide; poured down the drain | Decomposes to release hydrogen cyanide, carbon dioxide, ammonia, water vapors | Dilute first | Dilute first | May be harmful for aquatic life; safe, occurs naturally in small amounts |
| ANFO | VERY controlled incineration | Burns, almost never detonates | DO NOT DUMP! | DO NOT DUMP! | While ammonium nitrate is a good nitrogen source for plants, the fuel oil (FO) from its composition is harmful for wildlife |
| Aniline | Oxidation with Fenton's reagent | Gives off carbon oxides, soot, nitrogen and or nitrogen oxides and water vapor | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Toxic to most wildlife |
| Anisole | Dilution with a solvent, followed by incineration; Oxidation with an oxidizing solution, like Fenton's reagent | Gives off carbon oxides, soot and water vapor | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Potentially hazardous to wildlife |
| ANNM | VERY controlled incineration | Burns, almost never detonates | DO NOT DUMP! | DO NOT DUMP! | While ammonium nitrate is a good nitrogen source for plants, nitromethane and methanol may be harmful for wildlife |
| Anthocyanin | Not necessary | Gives off carbon oxides and water vapor | Yes | Yes | Safe, biodegradable; Occurs naturally |
| Anthracene | Incineration, best done in an incinerator with afterburner; Oxidation with Fenton's reagent | Generates carbon dioxide, water vapors, carbon monoxide, soot, VOCs | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Potentially toxic to wildlife, environmental effects unknown |
| Anthranilic acid | Dumped in trash, poured down the drain | Sublimes and decomposes, releasing carbon oxides, water vapors, soot, anilline | Yes | Yes | Low toxicity, nutrient for organisms |
| Anthraquinone | Mixed with a more flammable solvent and safely incinerated; Controlled oxidation with Fenton's reagent | Decomposes at very high temperatures to yield carbon oxides, water vapor, soot, VOCs, etc. | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Occurs naturally; effects on the environment unknown |
| Antimony(III) chloride | Precipitation with a base; Taken to waste disposal centers | Sublimes; Water solutions however will give off hydrogen chloride vapors | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Lowers the soil pH, corrosive; Toxic to organisms |
| Antimony(III) oxide | Taken to hazardous waste disposal centers | Not useful | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Toxic to wildlife |
| Arabitol | Not required | Yields carbon oxides, water vapors | Yes | Yes | Low toxicity |
| Armstrong's mixture | Dissolution in water; Reduction with sodium thiosulfate, sulfite, metabisulfite | Detonates | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Potassium chlorate is a potent herbicide |
| Arsenic trichloride | Very careful neutralization with a base to non-volatile arsenic compounds, then taken to hazardous waste disposal centers | Evaporates, reacts with moisture in air | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Extremely toxic to the environment and all life |
| Asbestos | Pyrolysis; Oxalic acid and ultrasounds[4] | At temperatures over 1000 °C it turns into harmless silicate glass | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Toxic to animals via inhalation |
| Ascaridole | Iron(II) sulfate | Burns releasing carbon dioxide, water vapors, soot; may explode at high concentrations and high temperatures | Neutralize first | Neutralize first | Toxic to animals, parasitic worms, small animals; Occurs naturally |
| Ascorbic acid | Unnecessary | Releases carbon oxides and water vapor | Yes | Yes | Safe, biodegradable; Occurs naturally |
| Ash | Unnecessary | Not useful, already byproduct of incineration | Yes | Oh yes | Safe, biodegradable, good source of potassium for plants; Coal ash however, is harmful and contains heavy metals and other impurities; Volcanic ash is abrasive and extremely harmful for the lungs |
| Asphalt | Dumping in trash | Will decompose at high temperatures, releasing carbon oxides, water vapors and soot | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Asphalt is harmful for wildlife |
| Atropine | Hydrolyzed and diluted; Can be destroyed using a strong oxidizing mixture for complete neutralization | At very high temperatures decomposes to release carbon dioxide, water vapors, nitrogen, soot | Not recommended | Dilute first | Harmful and toxic to animals; occurs naturally |
| Barbituric acid | Poured down the drain or in trash; Can be destroyed using a strong oxidizing mixture for complete neutralization | At very high temperatures decomposes to release carbon dioxide, water vapors, nitrogen, soot | Yes, but in small amounts | Yes, but in small amounts | Harmful to the environment in short term |
| Barium acetate | Addition of a soluble sulfate, such as sodium, potassium or magnesium sulfate | Decomposes releasing acetone, carbon dioxide, water, leaving behind barium carbonate | Neutralize with magnesium sulfate first | Neutralize with magnesium sulfate first | Very toxic for wildlife and environment |
| Barium azide | Acidified sodium nitrite, nitrous acid; precipitation of barium sulfate with sodium sulfate | Melts and explodes above 160 °C releasing nitrogen and barium oxide | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Very toxic for wildlife |
| Barium carbonate | Sulfuric acid; Resulting BaSO4 can be dumped in trash | At very high temperatures decomposed to barium oxide and releases carbon dioxide | Not advised | Not advised | May react with acid rain to release soluble barium ions; Occurs naturally |
| Barium chlorate | Reduction with a reducing agent, such as sodium bisulfite, sodium metabisulfite, sodium sulfite, followed by oxidation in open air to sulfate; Addition of excess soluble sulfate to remove any soluble barium ions | Disproportionates into perchlorate and chloride when alone; Burns when mixed with a flammable material | No | No | Toxic for environment |
| Barium chloride | Addition of a soluble sulfate, such as sodium, potassium or magnesium sulfate | Not useful, melts at high temperatures | Neutralize with magnesium sulfate first | Neutralize with magnesium sulfate first | Toxic for environment |
| Barium chromate | Precipitation of barium, reduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III) | Not useful, melts at high temperatures | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Carcinogenic, toxic for environment and wildlife |
| Barium ferrate | Sulfuric acid | Breaks down to barium and iron oxides, which require further disposal | No | No | Dangerous to wildlife in short term (oxidizer); Releases toxic barium ions in environment |
| Barium hypophosphite | Diluted cooled hydrogen peroxide solution; addition of sodium sulfate | Decomposes to disodium phosphate and phosphine | Neutralize first | Neutralize first | Harmful to organisms, especially aquatic ones; soluble barium compounds are toxic |
| Barium manganate | Sulfuric acid | Breaks down into barium and manganese oxides | Not advised | No | Toxic to wildlife in short term (oxidizer); Will release toxic barium ions in the environment |
| Barium nitrate | Sodium sulfate, potassium magnesium sulfate, sulfuric acid | Breaks down into barium oxide, releasing nitrogen dioxide and oxygen | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Toxic to wildlife, due to the soluble barium ions |
| Barium nitrite | Precipitation with sodium sulfate; Oxidation to nitrate | Breaks down to barium oxide, oxygen and nitrogen oxides at high temperatures | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Toxic to wildlife in short term; nitrites are toxic |
| Barium oxide | Sulfuric acid, aq. sodium/potassium/magnesium sulfate | Not useful, converts to barium peroxide, then reverts back to barium oxide | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Toxic to wildlife, due to the soluble barium ions |
| Barium perchlorate | Reduction with metallic iron under UV light in the absence of air; precipitation to barium sulfate, using a soluble sulfate | Oxidizes flammable materials, burning them; alone decomposes above 505 °C | DO NOT DUMP | Do NOT DUMP | Very toxic to aquatic life |
| Barium permanganate | Hydrogen peroxide | Decomposes to manganese dioxide at high temperatures | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | The resulting manganese and barium oxides from the decomposition can be toxic if ingested by animals |
| Barium peroxide | Hydrolysis with dilute sulfuric acid, followed by careful decomposition of the peroxide with iron oxide | Decomposes above 800 °C | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Peroxides are deadly to small animals; soluble barium salts are toxic |
| Barium sulfate | Not required | Decomposes at > 1600 °C | Yes | Yes | Low toxicity to wildlife due to its poor solubility in water; occurs naturally as the mineral barite |
| Basic lead chromate | May be converted to lead(II) carbonate; should be taken to disposal centers | Not useful | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Toxic to environment due to lead and Cr(VI) content |
| Basic lead picrate | Careful and controlled destruction using an oxidizing solution; insoluble lead wastes should be taken to hazardous waste disposal centers | Explodes, releasing lead oxide fumes | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Extremely toxic to all organisms; lead is a known neurotoxin |
| Beeswax | Not required, can be dumped in trash or ground | Pyrolysis gives foul smelling compounds | Yes | Yes | Safe, biodegradable; nourishment for some organisms |
| Benzaldehyde | Incineration; Oxidation to benzoic acid; Oxidation with Fenton's reagent | Generates carbon oxides, water vapors, soot | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Low toxicity, but avoid releasing in environment |
| Benzene | Oxidation with Fenton's reagent; Incineration with afterburner incinerators | Generates dangerous combustion products | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Avoid releasing in environment |
| Benzocaine | Oxidation with Fenton's reagent; incineration; down the drain | Generates soot and various VOCs and PAHs | Yes | Not in large quantities | Avoid releasing in environment, effects unknown |
| Benzododecinium bromide | Dilute it with water | Decomposes | Dilute it first | Dilute it first | Unknown environmental effects |
| Benzoic acid | Not always required | Breaks down to carbon oxides, water vapors, soot; may give off benzene vapors | Yes | Yes, but not in large quantities | Decarboxylation with some compounds, such as ascorbic acid, may release traces of benzene; otherwise safe, occurs naturally |
| Benzonitrile | Mixed with a more flammable solvent and safely incinerated; Controlled oxidation with Fenton's reagent | Decomposes at very high temperatures to yield carbon oxides, water vapor, soot, VOCs, etc. | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Harmful to the environment |
| Benzophenone | Mixed with a more flammable solvent and safely incinerated; Controlled oxidation with Fenton's reagent | Decomposes at very high temperatures to yield carbon oxides, water vapor, soot, VOCs, etc. | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Harmful to the environment |
| Benzoquinone | Mixed with a more flammable solvent and safely incinerated; Controlled oxidation with Fenton's reagent | Decomposes at high temperatures to yield carbon oxides, water vapors, soot, VOCs, etc. | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Harmful to the environment |
| Benzoyl chloride | Sodium hydroxide in cooled water/crushed ice or alcohol solution | Burns at high temperatures giving off carbon dioxide, water vapors, soot and hydrogen chloride fumes | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Very toxic and corrosive for wildlife and aquatic life; lachrymator agent |
| Benzyl alcohol | Mixed with a more flammable solvent and incinerated | Flammable, gives off carbon dioxide, soot and water vapors | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Harmful for wildlife and aquatic life in large concentrations |
| Benzyl chloride | Sodium hydroxide in water or alcohol solution | Burns at high temperatures giving off carbon dioxide, water vapors, soot and hydrogen chloride fumes | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Very toxic and corrosive for wildlife and aquatic life; lachrymator agent |
| Benzyl cyanide | Sodium hydroxide in water or alcohol solution; neutralization of cyanide with bleach | Burns at high temperatures giving off carbon dioxide, water vapors, soot and hydrogen cyanide fumes | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Harmful for wildlife |
| Benzylacetone | Excess bleach, excess NaOH | Breaks down releasing carbon dioxide, water vapors, soot, PAHs | Neutralize first | Neutralize first | Relative safe, poses low toxicity |
| Benzylamine | Neutralization with an acid; mixed with a flammable solvent, followed by an incineration | Burns in air to release carbon dioxide, water vapor and nitrogen | DO NOT DUMP | Not recommended | Dangerous to aquatic life, albeit recognized as biodegradable |
| Bis(ethylenediamine)copper(II) perchlorate | Crystallize and ignite safely | Detonates | DO NOT DUMP | No | Copper kills aquatic life and plant roots |
| Bismuth chloride | Reduced to bismuth metal; neutralized with a base then taken to disposal centers or recovered | Hydrolyzes and releases HCl fumes in open air | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Hazardous for the environment in large quantities |
| Bismuth trioxide | Reduced to bismuth metal | Will oxidize anything (yes, platinum too) when molten | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | May become hazardous for the environment in large quantities |
| Biuret | Not always required | Gives off combustion gasses | Yes | Yes | Safe, biodegradable |
| Biuret reagent | Neutralization with an acid | Gives off combustion gasses | Debatable | No | Copper and sodium ions pose toxicity to plants and animals |
| Black powder | Controlled incineration | Will burn to release a thick cloud of carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide in open air; will detonate in a sealed container | Not recommended | Yes | Its components are already used as fertilizers and the environmental effect are similar |
| Borax | Not required | Dehydrates | In small quantities | In small quantities | Dangerous to small animals |
| Borazine | Careful hydrolysis in cold water, outside | Burns, releasing boric acid, boron nitride and nitrogen | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Boric acid resulted from hydrolysis is harmful to the fauna |
| Boric acid | Not required | Will dehydrate it to boron trioxide | In small quantities | In small quantities | Dangerous to small animals |
| Borneol | Not required | Generates smoke, carbon dioxide and water vapor | Yes | Yes | Safe, biodegradable; Occurs naturally |
| Boron carbide | Not required | Not useful | In small quantities | In small quantities | Dangerous to small animals |
| Boron nitride | Not required | Not useful | In small quantities | In small quantities | Dangerous to small animals |
| Boron trichloride | Careful neutralization by adding it in ice cold water, floowed by neutralization with a base | Evaporates, non-flammable, not effective | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Boron compounds tend to be harmful for wildlife |
| Boron trioxide | Not required | Not useful; may volatilize at high temperatures | In small quantities | In small quantities | Dangerous to small animals |
| Brass | Recycling; Traces of brass waste can be completely dissolved with nitric acid, followed by neutralization of leftover acid, recovering copper and zinc via electrowinning | Not useful; melts above 900 °C | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Old brass may contain lead or nickel which is harmful to the environment |
| Bromoacetic acid | Neutralization with excess sodium hydroxide to sodium glycolate | Evaporates and burns at high temperatures, releasing toxic fumes | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Toxic and corrosive to most wildlife |
| Bromocresol green | Oxidized with a strong oxidizing solution, such as chromic acid, Fenton's reagent, piranha solution, followed by neutralization and then poured down the drain | Decomposes giving off carbon dioxide, water vapors, sulfur oxides, bromine, soot | Yes, but not recommended | No, neutralize first | May be harmful to water bodies; environmental effects unknown |
| Bromocresol purple | Oxidized with a strong oxidizing solution, such as chromic acid, Fenton's reagent, piranha solution, followed by neutralization and then poured down the drain | Decomposes giving off carbon dioxide, water vapors, sulfur oxides, bromine, soot | Yes, but not recommended | No, neutralize first | May be harmful to water bodies; environmental effects unknown |
| Bromoform | Destruction with aqueous sodium hydroxide, which can be aided by methanol or acetone; Oxidation with Fenton's reagent | Evaporates, should not be attempted indoors | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Dangerous to aquatic life at high concentrations, occurs naturally; May cause ozone depletion |
| Bromothymol blue | Oxidized with a strong oxidizing solution, such as chromic acid, Fenton's reagent, piranha solution, followed by neutralization and then poured down the drain | Decomposes giving off carbon dioxide, water vapors, sulfur oxides, bromine, soot | Yes, but not recommended | No, neutralize first | May be harmful to water bodies |
| Bromous acid | Reducing with a reducing agent, such as sodium metabisulfite, sulfite, bisulfite, thiosulfate | Decomposes to bromine, bromate | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Bromous acid and its decomp. products are harmful |
| Bronze | Recycling; Traces of bronze waste can be completely dissolved with nitric acid, followed by neutralization of leftover acid, recovering copper and tin via electrowinning | Not useful; melts above 900 °C | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Old bronze may contain arsenic, lead or nickel which is harmful to the environment |
| Butane | Incineration | Will burn to release carbon dioxide and water vapors | Not possible | Yes (heavier than air) | May induce greenhouse effect |
| Butanol | Incineration | Will burn to release carbon dioxide and water vapors | Not recommended | Not recommended | Poses toxicity to wildlife, water bodies |
| Butyl acetate | Incineration | Will burn to release carbon dioxide and water vapors | Not recommended | Not recommended | Poses toxicity to wildlife, water bodies |
| Butylated hydroxytoluene | Incineration, strong dilution | Will burn to release carbon dioxide, soot, VOCs, PAHs and water vapors | Strongly dilute it first | Strongly dilute it first | Harmful in large amounts |
| Butyric acid | Bicarbonates, carbonates, bases, oxides; neutralized solution can be safely poured down the drain | Flammable (high concentrations), no dangerous combustion products, though the smoke will have a rancid smell | Yes, but recommended to neutralize first | Neutralize first | Safe, biodegradable; avoid dumping large amounts, dangerous to microfauna and water bodies |
| C-4 | Very controlled incineration, done outside or in a kiln; Oxidation with Fenton's reagent; Hot aqueous solution containing sodium hydroxide and sodium tetraborate | Ignites, gives off carbon oxides, nitrogen oxides, water vapors, soot | Do not dump | Do not dump | Displays toxicity to aquatic life; RDX can be degraded by the fungus Phanaerocheate chrysosporium; binders may be harmful for organisms |
| Cadmium acetate | Precipitation to cadmium sulfide, taken to hazardous waste disposal centers | Decomposes at high temperatures to cadmium oxide | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Extremely toxic and dangerous to wildlife; Highly carcinogenic |
| Cadmium nitrate | Precipitation to cadmium sulfide, taken to hazardous waste disposal centers | Decomposes at high temperatures to cadmium oxide and nitrogen dioxide | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Extremely toxic and dangerous to wildlife; Highly carcinogenic |
| Cadmium oxide | Precipitation to cadmium sulfide, taken to hazardous waste disposal centers | Decomposes and sublimes at high temperatures | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Extremely toxic and dangerous to wildlife; Highly carcinogenic |
| Cadmium sulfate | Precipitation to cadmium sulfide, taken to hazardous waste disposal centers | Decomposes at high temperatures to basic sulfate then cadmium oxide releasing sulfur oxides | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Very toxic and dangerous to wildlife; Highly carcinogenic |
| Caesium azide | Sodium nitrite, nitrous acid; recycling of caesium | Breaks down to caesium metal and gives off nitrogen gas | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Very toxic for wildlife |
| Caesium chloride | Recycling; Taken to waste disposal centers | Not useful in any way | Yes, though best to recycle it | Yes | Dangerous to organisms in very high concentrations; Caesium ions have similar toxicity to those of sodium and potassium |
| Caesium hydroxide | Neutralization with any acid, carbon dioxide; recycling; | Not useful; highly corrosive when hot to glass, most common metals | Yes, though best to recycle it | Yes, though best to recycle it | Dangerous to wildlife in short term (highly corrosive); Caesium ions have similar toxicity to those of sodium and potassium |
| Caffeine | Not required; Can be dumped almost anywhere | Sublimes; Oxidation Generates carbon oxides, water vapors, soot | Yes | Yes | Toxic to small animals, addictive to large organisms; biodegradable; occurs naturally |
| Calcium acetate | Pyrolysis; Not always required | Decomposes to calcium carbonate and acetone at high temperature, which burns in an oxygen-rich atmosphere | Yes | Yes | Biodegradable |
| Calcium bicarbonate | Any acid; not always required | Not useful; breaks down into calcium carbonate and carbon dioxide as the solution is heated | Yes | Yes | Safe, biodegradable; occurs naturally |
| Calcium carbide | Lots of water in an open space; low chain alcohols | Not useful | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Dangerous to wildlife in short term (reacts with water); may also release phosphine gas if carbide sample is impure |
| Calcium carbonate | Any acid; not always required | Not useful; breaks down into calcium oxide and carbon dioxide at high temperatures | Yes, as powder | Yes | Safe, biodegradable; occurs naturally |
| Calcium chloride | Not required; Any soluble carbonate | Not useful; May release some HCl fumes if wet | Yes | Yes | Chloride ions may be harmful to certain plants |
| Calcium chromate | Neutralization with a reducing agent, such as ascorbic acid sodium metabisulfite, sulfite, bisulfite at acidic pH | Decomposes, releasing oxygen | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Cr(VI) ions are powerful carcinogens and very toxic to organisms |
| Calcium cyanamide | Lots of water | Not useful; Sublimes at very high temperatures | Yes, though not recommended | Yes | Slowly hydrolyzes to urea, which is a good plant fertilizer |
| Calcium fluoride | Not required | Unnecessary | Not useful | Yes | Safe to environment, occurs naturally |
| Calcium gluconate | Not required | Will result in calcium carbonate and give off carbon dioxide and water vapors at high temperatures | Yes | Yes | Not dangerous to wildlife |
| Calcium hydride | Neutralization with a concentrated alkali or carbonate solution, alcohols, long chain alcohols are preferred; water vapor can also be used; best performed in an open area | Decomposes to release hydrogen at very high temperatures | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Corrosive to organisms, toxic to animals |
| Calcium hydroxide | Any acid | Will dehydrate to calcium oxide at high temperatures | Yes | No | Will "burn" grassland on contact |
| Calcium hypochlorite | Sodium bisulfite, sodium metabisulfite, sodium sulfite | Disproportionates into chlorate and chloride; will release chlorine and chlorine dioxide fumes | Yes | DO NOT DUMP | Toxic to all wildlife |
| Calcium nitrate | Not required; soluble carbonate or sulfate solution can be used if necessary | Not useful | Yes | OH YES | Good source of nitrogen for plants (fertilizer); May cause algal bloom in water bodies |
| Calcium oxide | Plenty of cold water, carbon dioxide, sodium/potassium bicarbonate | No | Do not dump | Do not dump | Burns grass on contact |
| Calcium perchlorate | Mixing it with a combustible material, like sugar and incineration | Will decompose at high temperatures to release oxygen | Do not dump | Do not dump | Toxic to plants |
| Calcium propionate | Not required; can be poured down the drain or dumped in trash | Will decompose at high temperatures to release various ketones, carbon oxides, water vapors | Yes | Yes | Large quantities are harmful to water bodies and small animals |
| Calcium sulfate | Not required; soluble carbonate solution can be used if gypsum is not desired as waste product | Becomes anhydrous at high temperatures (drierite); decomposes to calcium oxide at very high temperatures | Yes, with lots and lots of water | Yes | Anhydrous or hemihydrate form may burn grass on contact |
| Camphor | Not required | Generates smoke, carbon dioxide and water vapor | Yes | Yes | Safe, biodegradable; Occurs naturally |
| Capsaicin | Not required at low concentrations; high concentrations may require an oxidizer, like bleach | Generates irritant smoke, carbon dioxide, soot and water vapor | Yes | Yes | Harmful for mammals at high concentrations, otherwise relative safe, biodegradable; Occurs naturally |
| Carbon dioxide | Not required; Alkali hydroxides | Not necessary | Not possible (gaseous form), safe to pour (water solution) | Not possible (gaseous form), safe to pour (water solution) | Contributes to global warming |
| Carbon disulfide | Incineration, followed by scrubbing of sulfur dioxide (optional) | Burns in presence of oxygen, releasing carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Toxic to wildlife |
| Carbon monoxide | Oxidation with ozone; adsorbtion on activated charcoal; absorbtion in a solution of cuprous chloride in hydrochloric acid or cuprous chloride in ammonia[5][6] | Not useful; burns in the presence of oxygen and hydrogen | Not possible | Not possible | Toxic to animals |
| Carbon tetrachloride | Sodium hydroxide excess; oxidation with Fenton's reagent | Results in phosgene in the presence of air | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Extremely toxic to wildlife, sinks at the bottom of water bodies |
| Carbonic acid | Any base | Releases carbon dioxide fumes | Yes | Yes | Toxic to aquatic life in large quantities |
| Carminic acid | Not always required, any method will do | Decomposes, releases combustion gasses, POCs and VOCs | Yes | Yes | Low toxicity, occurs naturally |
| Cellulose | Any disposal method | Burns in air; decomposes to release carbon oxides, water vapors | Not recommended, may clog the plumbing | Yes, but avoid water bodies; bury it in ground instead | Safe, biodegradable; avoid dumping large amounts, as it poses choking hazard to most animals |
| Cerium(IV) oxide | Unnecessary, simply dump in trash; recycle | Releases absorbed water | Do not dump | Do not dump | Effects unknown, may be toxic |
| Charcoal | Burning, dumping in ground | Results in carbon dioxide and ash | DO NOT DUMP | OH YES! | Unless it adsorbed dangerous volatile compounds or heavy metals, it can be used as a fertilizer |
| Chevreul's salt | Oxidation with hydrogen peroxide to sulfate, followed by precipitation or reduction of copper ions to metal or hydroxide/oxide | Gives off water vapors when heated and sulfur oxides at very high temperatures | Not recommended | Not recommended | Little is known about its environmental effect; it is used as a fungicide and molluscicide[7] |
| Chloral hydrate | Reducing with alkali hydroxide or magnesium, followed by incineration | Gives off hydrogen chloride fumes during burning/pyrolysis | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Toxic to wildlife |
| Chloric acid | Reducing with sodium sulfite, metabisulfite, bisulfite | Breaks down to perchloric acid and chlorine oxides | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Strong oxidizing, toxic and corrosive to all wildlife and everything organic |
| Chlorine dioxide | Reduction with metabisulfite, sulfite or bisulfite | Evaporates and may explode | Do not dump | Do not dump | Toxic to all organisms, biocide |
| Chloroacetamide | Neutralization with excess sodium hydroxide to sodium glycolate products | Decomposes high temperatures, releasing toxic fumes | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Toxic and corrosive to most wildlife, used as herbicide |
| Chloroacetic acid | Neutralization with excess sodium hydroxide to sodium glycolate | Evaporates and burns at high temperatures, releasing toxic fumes | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Toxic and corrosive to most wildlife |
| Chloroacetone | Neutralization with a cooled solution of sodium or potassium hydroxide | Evaporates and burns at high temperatures, releasing extremely toxic and lachrymator fumes | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Toxic and corrosive to most wildlife |
| Chloroauric acid | Reduction with a reducing agent, such as ascorbic acid, metabisulfite, sulfur dioxide | Gives off hydrogen chloride gases and leaves gold powder behind | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Dangerous to wildlife; Best to try to recycle it |
| Chlorobenzene | Neutralization with Fenton's reagent; biodegradation with the bacterium Rhodococcus phenolicus | Gives off hydrogen chloride fumes during burning/pyrolysis, as well as various POCs and soot | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Toxic to wildlife; chlorobenzene can persist in soil for several months, in air for about 3.5 days, and in water for less than one day |
| Chlorobutanol | Reducing with alkali hydroxide or magnesium, followed by incineration | Gives off hydrogen chloride fumes during burning/pyrolysis | Not recommended | Not recommended | Toxic to wildlife |
| Chloroform | Destruction with aqueous sodium hydroxide, which can be aided by methanol or acetone; Oxidation with Fenton's reagent | Boils to form vapor, should not be attempted indoors | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | May cause ozone depletion, dangerous to aquatic life |
| Chloromethane | Release outside in atmosphere; Photolysis; Destruction with aqueous sodium hydroxide, oxidation with Fenton's reagent (for solutions) | Not useful | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | May cause ozone depletion, dangerous to land and aquatic life |
| Chloroplatinic acid | Reduction to platinum metal, followed by recovery of the precious metal | Breaks down to platinum(II) chloride, then platinum metal | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Toxic to organisms |
| Chlorosulfuric acid | Very careful addition to crushed ice, dilution, followed by neutralization with a base | Boils and decomposes releasing sulfur trioxide and HCl fumes | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Highly corrosive and toxic to organisms |
| Chlorous acid | Reducing with a reducing agent, such as sodium metabisulfite, sulfite, bisulfite, thiosulfate | Decomposes to perchloric acid, hydrogen chloride, chlorine dioxide, oxygen | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Chlorous acid is a biocide |
| Chromic acid | Reducing with a reducing agent, such as sodium metabisulfite, sulfite, bisulfite, ascorbic acid | Decomposes to Cr2O3, releases oxygen and water vapors | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Cr(VI) ions are carcinogenic and very toxic to organisms |
| Chromium(III) chloride | Precipitation with a base; can be dumped in the trash, taken to a waste disposal facility or recycled | Melts and decomposes at high temperatures | Do not dump | Do not dump | Moderate toxicity for the environment |
| Chromium(III) oxide | Not required; can be dumped in the trash | At temperatures ~1000 °C it will become inert against the action of most reagents | Do not dump | Not recommended | Low reactivity, low danger for environment |
| Chromium(III) sulfate | Precipitation with a soluble hydroxide, followed by calcination to chromium(III) oxide | Not useful | Do not dump | Do not dump | Dangerous to wildlife in large amounts |
| Chromium(VI) oxide peroxide | Hydrolysis | Decomposes to harmless Cr(III) | Yes | Yes, but not recommended | Due to its instability, it poses low danger to environment |
| Chromium trioxide | Dissolving it in water and reducing with a reducing agent, such as sodium metabisulfite, sulfite, bisulfite, ascorbic acid at acidic pH | Decomposes to Cr2O3, releases oxygen | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Cr(VI) ions are carcinogenic and very toxic to organisms |
| Chromyl chloride | A supersaturated solution of a reducing agent, such as sodium sulfite, metabisulfite or thiosulfate at acidic pH | Not useful, boils off and fumes in contact with air moisture | DO NOT DUMP! | DO NOT DUMP! | Corrosive and deadly to all wildlife; Lowers soil pH; Corrosive to rocks, soil; Carcinogenic |
| Citric acid | Any base, carbonate, bicarbonate, alkaline-earth oxide | Gives off carbon dioxide and water vapors | Yes | Yes | In wet environment it acts as fungi growth environment |
| Coal | Dumped in trash, incineration, taken to waste disposal centers | Gives off carbon dioxide and water vapors, leaving ash behind | DO NOT DUMP | Some types can be | Coal ash is harmful for the environement |
| Cobalt(II) chloride | Any soluble hydroxide, carbonate | May give off hydrogen chloride fumes in the presence of water | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Toxic to wildlife; classified as "Substance of very high concern" in the EU |
| Cobalt(II) sulfate | Any soluble hydroxide, carbonate; Taken to disposal centers | Gives off sulfur oxides fumes and sulfuric acid vapors, leaving behind cobalt oxide residue | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Toxic to wildlife, suspected carcinogen |
| Cobalt (III) oxide | Not required | Not useful | Do not dump | Do not dump | Cobalt is necessary for vitamin B12 production |
| Congo red | Oxidized with a strong oxidizing solution, such as chromic acid, Fenton's reagent, piranha solution, followed by neutralization and then poured down the drain | Decomposes giving off carbon dioxide, nitrogen, water vapors, VOCs, PAHs | Do not dump | Do not dump | Dangerous to environment, carcinogen |
| Copper chromite | Not always required; can be dumped in trash | Not useful | Not recommended | Not recommended | Unknown environmental effects |
| Copper citrate | Recover copper via reduction; Discard in trash | Decomposes to copper oxide and releases various gasses | Yes, in small quantities | Yes, in small quantities | High levels of copper are dangerous to wildlife |
| Copper oxychloride | Reduction with a iron or zinc to metallic copper | Gives off HCl fumes and leaves behind CuO slag | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Generally toxic to wildlife |
| Copper(I) acetylide | Addition of water, followed by careful addition of acid | Detonates | DO NOT DUMP! | DO NOT DUMP! | Copper ions may be harmful for wildlife and plants |
| Copper(I) chloride | Oxidizing with air/oxygen or H2O2 to the more soluble CuCl2, followed by reduction to metallic copper with iron or zinc. | May hydrolyze in the presence of water and air to give off hydrogen chloride fumes | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Oxidizes to copper(II) chloride in the presence of air, which is toxic and corrosive in water |
| Copper(I) oxide | Dissolving it in an acid, followed by reduction to metallic copper | Not useful | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Generally considered harmful to wildlife |
| Copper(II) acetate | Reduction with iron or zinc to metallic copper, which is recycled | Gives off carbon oxides, water, acetic acid and acetone vapors | Not recommended | DO NOT DUMP | Unknown effects in the environment; presence of copper ions however is generally considered harmful |
| Copper(II) acetylsalicylate | Pyrolysis, incineration, oxidation with Fenton's reagent | Gives off carbon oxides and water vapors, as well as soot and VOCs | Not recommended | Not recommended | Unknown effects in the environment; presence of copper ions however is generally considered harmful |
| Copper(II) carbonate | Not required; can be neutralized with an acid and reduced to metallic copper | Will give off carbon dioxide fumes and leave CuO residues | Do not dump | DO NOT DUMP | Copper ions are considered harmful to the environment |
| Copper(II) chloride | Precipitate as carbonate or reduce to copper metal using aluminium, iron or zinc | Loses water and hydrogen chloride, turns brown | DO NOT DUMP | Yes, but far from any agricultural plants | Kills aquatic life and plant roots |
| Copper(II) hydroxide | Reduction to metallic copper | Loses water, yielding CuO | Do not dump | Only as agricultural product | Copper ions are considered harmful to most wildlife |
| Copper(II) nitrate | Any alkali or ammonium hydroxide, carbonate | Gives off nitrogen oxide and nitric acid fumes, leaving copper oxides/hydroxides slag | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Copper ions may be harmful to wildlife; the nitrate group is a nitrogen source for plants |
| Copper(II) oxide | Dissolving it in an acid, followed by reduction to metallic copper | Not useful | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Generally considered harmful to wildlife |
| Copper(II) perchlorate | Any alkali or carbonate, followed by reduction of perchlorate to chloride | Decomposes, releasing oxygen and leaving copper oxides/hydroxides slag | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Copper ions and perchlorates are known to be harmful to wildlife |
| Copper(II) phosphate | Not always required | May decompose to copper oxide and phosphorus oxides at high temperatures, or elemental phosphorus in the presence of a reducing agent | Not recommended | Not recommended | Due to low solubility, it has lower toxicity than other copper compounds |
| Copper(II) sulfate | Reduction with aluminium, iron or zinc to metallic copper | Loses water when heated, releases sulfur trioxide at high temperatures, leaving behind CuO | Not recommended | Only as agricultural product | Shows toxicity to pests, wildlife |
| Crystal violet | Oxidized with a strong oxidizing solution, such as Fenton's reagent, piranha solution, followed by neutralization and then poured down the drain | Decomposes giving off carbon dioxide, water vapors, nitrogen oxides, soot | Yes, but not recommended | Neutralize first | May be harmful to water bodies; possesses antibacterial, antifungal, antihelminthic, antitrypanosomal, antiangiogenic, and antitumor properties |
| Curcumin | Not required | Releases carbon oxides and water vapors, as well as soot | Yes | Yes | Safe, biodegradable; occurs naturally |
| Cyanogen | Incineration outside; oxidation with an oxidizing solution | Flammable, burns in the presence of oxygen to release carbon dioxide and nitrogen gas | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Deadly to wildlife |
| Cyanoguanidine | Not required; Can be poured into the ground | Decomposes giving off carbon dioxide, nitrogen, soot, water vapors | Yes | Yes | Low environmental impact, used as fertilizer |
| Cyanuric acid | Not required; Any base, carbonate, bicarbonate, alkaline-earth oxide can be used if desired | Gives off carbon dioxide and water vapors | Yes | Yes | Low environmental impact |
| Cyclam | Oxidation with Fenton's reagent or piranha solution | Generates carbon oxides, water vapor, soot and nitrogen vapors | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Considered to be harmful, but little is known about its toxicity |
| Cyclen | Oxidation with Fenton's reagent or piranha solution | Generates carbon oxides, water vapor, soot and nitrogen vapors | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Considered to be harmful, but little is known about its toxicity |
| Cyclohexane | Dilution with a flammable solvent and incineration; oxidation with Fenton's reagent | Flammable, burns in the presence of oxygen to release carbon oxides, water vapors, soot and VOCs | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Toxic to wildlife |
| Cyclohexanol | Dilution with a flammable solvent and incineration; oxidation with Fenton's reagent | Flammable, burns in the presence of oxygen to release carbon oxides, water vapors, soot and VOCs | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Toxic to wildlife |
| Cyclohexanone | Dilution with a flammable solvent and incineration | Flammable, burns in the presence of oxygen to release carbon oxides, water vapors, soot and VOCs | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Low toxicity to organisms, but may be harmful to wildlife |
| Decalin | Mixed with a more flammable solvent and incinerated | Ignites at high temperatures and generates carbon oxides, water vapors, carbon monoxide, soot, VOCs | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Harmful to wildlife and water bodies |
| Decane | Incineration; Oxidation with Fenton's reagent | Ignites in air, gives off carbon dioxide and water vapors, soot | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Toxic to aquatic life and organisms |
| Devarda's alloy | Dissolved in acid, followed by recovery of copper and zinc Dumped in trash |
Melts between 490 to 560 °C | Not recommended | Do not dump | Toxic to wildlife |
| Dextrin | Any disposal method | Decomposes to release carbon oxides, water vapors | Yes | Yes | Safe, biodegradable |
| Diatomaceous earth | Any disposal method | Not effective | Yes | Yes | Toxic to small animals, otherwise relative safe |
| Diborane | Burned outside or in an incinerator; hydrolysis in water | Self-ignites in air above 38 °C | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Boron compounds tend to be harmful for wildlife |
| Dichlorine heptoxide | Careful dissolving in cold water/crushed ice, followed by neutralization with base; Reduction with metabisulfite, sulfite or bisulfite | Evaporates and may explode | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Toxic to all organisms, corrosive, toxic |
| Dichloroacetic acid | Neutralization and dehalogenation with excess sodium hydroxide; Reduction with metallic powders to acetic acid | Evaporates and burns at high temperatures, releasing toxic fumes | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Toxic and corrosive to most wildlife |
| Dichloromethane | Destruction with aqueous sodium hydroxide, iron can also be used; Oxidation with Fenton's reagent | Boils to form vapor; pyrolysis at high temperatures yielding chlorine, hydrochloric acid and carbon monoxide | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | May cause ozone depletion, dangerous to aquatic life |
| Dicyanoacetylene | Incineration done outside | Extremely flammable, burns to release carbon dioxide, nitrogen gas and lots of heat | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | May be harmful to wildlife |
| Diethanolamine | Mixed with a more flammable solvent and incinerated | Yields carbon oxides, water vapor at high temperatures | Strongly diluted | Not recommended | Toxic to organisms, dangerous to aquatic and soil life |
| Diethyl ether | Incineration (no peroxides); Adding excess ferrous sulfate, sodium bisulfite or metabisulfite to neutralize the peroxides, followed by incineration; If the bottle has peroxides on the cap, do not open it, instead safely detonate it in a remote or special area | Extremely flammable, burns to release carbon dioxide and water vapors | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Dangerous to animals |
| Difluoroacetic acid | Neutralization with base, bacterial degradation, decarboxylation, taken to waste disposal centers | Decomposes, releases combustion gasses, HF, methylene fluoride | DO NOT DUMP! | DO NOT DUMP! | Displays moderate toxicity to most organisms |
| Diisopropyl ether | Incineration (no peroxides); Adding excess ferrous sulfate, sodium bisulfite or metabisulfite to neutralize the peroxides, followed by incineration; If the bottle has peroxides on the cap, do not open it, instead safely detonate it in a remote or special area | Extremely flammable, burns to release carbon dioxide and water vapors | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Dangerous to animals |
| Dimethyl dioxane | Incineration (no peroxides); Acid-catalyzed hydrolysis with sulfuric acid; If peroxides are present, addition of excess ferrous sulfate, sodium bisulfite or metabisulfite to neutralize the peroxides, followed by incineration; If the bottle has peroxides on the cap, do not open it, instead safely detonate it in a remote or special area | Incineration produces carbon dioxide and water vapor | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Unknown, possibly carcinogenic |
| Dimethyl ether | Incineration; can be released in open air | Extremely flammable, burns to release carbon dioxide and water vapors | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Low toxicity to wildlife |
| Dimethyl sulfate | Addition in large amounts of water or crushed ice, followed by addition of aq. alkali | Decomposes to dimethyl sulfate, DO NOT CALCINATE | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Corrosive and toxic |
| Dimethyl sulfoxide | Mixed with a more flammable solvent, followed by incineration; Oxidation with Fenton's reagent if it has too much water | Results in carbon oxides, water vapors and sulfur dioxide | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Waste water bacteria breaks it down into dimethyl sulfide, which is slightly toxic and has a strong disagreeable odor |
| Dimethylamine | Incineration | Burns in air, giving off carbon dioxide, nitrogen and water vapors | Not recommended | Not recommended | Amines can be source of nitrogen for plants, but may be harmful to fauna and water bodies |
| Dimethyldioxirane | Ferrous sulfate, sodium metabisulfite, bleach | Diluted solutions will break down harmlessly | Safe, though best to neutralize it first | Neutralize first | Harmful for most organisms; acetone has low toxicity |
| Dimethylformamide | Oxidation with Fenton's reagent | Gives off toxic fumes | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Toxic to wildlife |
| Dimethylzinc | Very controlled hydrolysis, using alcohols | Ignites in open air; Decomposes above 200 °C | DO NOT DUMP! | DO NOT DUMP! | Zinc oxide fumes are harmful |
| Dinitrogen pentoxide | Addition to large amounts of cold water; neutralization with a base | Decomposes giving off nitrogen oxide fumes | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Very corrosive to all organisms, may cause fires or explosions |
| Dinitrogen tetroxide | Addition to large amounts of cold water; neutralization with a base | Decomposes to nitrogen dioxide | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Very corrosive to all organisms, may cause fires or explosions |
| Dinitrogen trioxide | Addition to large amounts of cold water; neutralization with a base | Decomposes to nitrogen dioxide | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Very corrosive to all organisms, may cause fires or explosions |
| Diphenylamine | Dissolved in a flammable solvent and burned in an incinerator; Oxidation with Fenton's reagent | Gives off carbon oxides, soot, nitrogen and or nitrogen oxides and water vapor | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Toxic to most wildlife |
| Diphenylmethanol | Mixed with a more flammable solvent and incinerated | Flammable, gives off carbon dioxide, PAHs, soot and water vapors | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Potentially harmful for wildlife and aquatic life in large concentrations |
| Dipicolinic acid | Mixed with a more flammable solvent and followed by incineration | Gives off carbon oxides, water vapors and soot | Yes | Yes | Safe, biodegradable; occurs naturally |
| Dipotassium phosphate | Not required; Excess slaked lime can be used to precipitate calcium phosphate | Decomposes on heating at high temperatures to release water vapors, leaving a residue of potassium and phosphorus oxides | Yes | Oh yes | Safe, good fertilizer (potassium and phosphorus source) |
| Disulfur dichloride | Slaked lime or any other base, carbonate or bicarbonate | Boils off | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Extremely toxic and corrosive |
| Di-tert-butyl ether | Incineration | Extremely flammable, burns to release carbon dioxide and water vapors | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Displays toxicity to wildlife |
| Dynamite | "Wetting" with a solvent, extraction of nitro and very careful neutralization of it; addition of more diatomaceous earth to further absorb the nitro | Will explode | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Explosive hazard; otherwise good nitrogen source for plants |
| Dysprosium(III) nitrate | Precipitation with a base; recycling; separation can be done with a magnet, if no other magnetic salts are present | Decomposes to dysprosium(III) oxide, releases nitrogen dioxide | Do not dump | Do not dump | Effects unknown, may be toxic |
| Eosin Y | Not always required, any method will do | Decomposes, releases combustion gasses, POCs and VOCs | Yes | Yes | Unknown environmental effects |
| Erbium(III) oxide | Unnecessary, simply dump in trash | Releases absorbed water or carbon dioxide | Do not dump | Do not dump | Effects unknown, may be toxic |
| Eriochrome Black T | Poured down the drain | Decomposes giving off carbon and sulfur oxides, nitrogen, water, soot, VOCs | Yes | Yes, but not recommended | Environmental effects are currently unknown |
| Erythritol | Not required | Yields carbon oxides, water vapors | Yes | Yes | Low toxicity |
| Erythritol tetranitrate | Cooled aqueous solution of excess sodium hydroxide | Detonates at temperatures > 160 °C | Do not dump | In small amounts | Dangerous to animals due to its vasodilator effects; harmless to plants, nitrogen source for plant life |
| Ethane | Incineration | Flammable, gives off carbon dioxide and water vapors | Not possible | Not possible | Contributes to greenhouse effect |
| Ethanol | Not always required; Incineration | Yields carbon oxides, water vapor | Yes | Not recommended | Deadly to small animals on direct contact, dangerous to aquatic and soil life |
| Ethanolamine | Mixed with a more flammable solvent and incinerated | Yields carbon oxides, water vapor at high temperatures | Strongly diluted | Not recommended | Toxic to organisms, dangerous to aquatic and soil life |
| Ethenone | Absorbtion in aq. basic solution | Burns, releasing carbon oxides, water vapors | Not possible | DO NOT DUMP | Deadly to all living things, dangerous to aquatic and soil life, as it acidifies water |
| Ethyl acetate | Sodium hydroxide; Incineration | Combustion in the presence of air | Do not dump | Do not dump | Toxic to aquatic life |
| Ethyl cyanoacrylate | Incineration; dumped in trash | Combustion in the presence of air | Not recommended | Not recommended | Low toxicity to organisms |
| Ethyl formate | Incineration | Gives off carbon dioxide and water vapors | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Hazardous to environment in large amounts |
| Ethyl iodide | Alkali solution, followed by sodium thiosulfate to remove any free iodine | Decomposes to release iodine fumes | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Dangerous to wildlife in high concentrations |
| Ethyl nitrate | Diluted alkali solution, recommended to be cooled first to prevent possible explosion | Will lead to explosion | No | No | Dangerous to wildlife |
| Ethylamine | Incineration | Burns in air, giving off carbon dioxide, nitrogen and water vapors | Not recommended | Not recommended | Amines can be source of nitrogen for plants, but may be harmful to fauna and water bodies |
| Ethylene | Incineration | Flammable, gives off carbon dioxide and water vapors | Not possible | Not possible | Contributes to greenhouse effect |
| Ethylene glycol | Incineration | Gives off carbon oxides, water vapors and various volatile componds | Not recommended | DO NOT DUMP | Toxic to organisms, dangerous to aquatic life |
| Ethylene glycol dinitrate | Sodium hydroxide, followed by incineration | Detonation | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Poses threat to animals, weak nitrogen source for plants |
| Ethylene oxide | Incineration; Hydrolysis | Burns, giving off combustion gases | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Toxic and dangerous for all wildlife |
| Ethylenediamine | Neutralization with sulfuric acid; mixed with a flammable solvent, followed by an incineration; oxidation with potassium permanganate, followed by addition of sodium bisulfite, and neutralization with sodium hydroxide | Burns in air to release carbon dioxide, water vapor and nitrogen | DO NOT DUMP | Not recommended | Dangerous to aquatic life |
| Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid | Poured down the drain if not bonded with heavy metals; otherwise taken to waste disposal centers | Breaks down to give carbon oxides, water vapor, various amines, soot | Yes | Yes, but not recommended | Displays some toxicity to many organisms lifeforms, dangerous to water bodies; can be broken down slowly by various microorganisms |
| Ethylenedinitramine | Incineration, done outside; Oxidation with Fenton's reagent | Ignites, gives off carbon oxides, nitrogen oxides, water vapors, soot | Do not dump | Do not dump | Little information is given on its environmental impact |
| Eucalyptol | Incineration if desired; not always required, can be poured down the drain | Releases carbon dioxide, monoxide, water vapors and soot; Burns in rich oxygen atmosphere | Yes | Yes | Safe, biodegradable; Occurs naturally in various plants, like eucalyptus, peppermint, etc. |
| Fehling's solution | Precipitate copper with hydroxide/phosphate, recycle or safely dispose of; tatrate can be disposed of in any method | Decomposes, releases combustion gasses, leaves behind copper, sodium and potassium carbonate slag | Yes | Yes, but not in large quantities | Too much copper is dangerous for animals |
| Ferrocerium | Recycled Dumped in trash |
Melts | Not recommended | Possible, though not recommended | Lanthanides show low toxicity to organisms |
| Ferroin | Dilution then poured down the drain | Decomposes | Dilute first | Dilute first | Phenanthroline is harmful to environment in high concentration |
| Ferulic acid | Mixed with a more flammable solvent and followed by incineration | Gives off carbon oxides, water vapors and soot | Yes | Yes | Safe, biodegradable; occurs naturally |
| Fluorene | Incineration, best done in an incinerator with afterburner; Oxidation with Fenton's reagent | Generates carbon dioxide, water vapors, carbon monoxide, soot, VOCs | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Possibly toxic to animals, environmental effects unknown |
| Fluorenol | Incineration, best done in an incinerator with afterburner; Oxidation with Fenton's reagent | Decomposes at very high temperatures to yield carbon oxides, water vapor, soot, VOCs, etc. | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Toxic to aquatic life, like invertebrates and algae; eugeroic in humans and mice |
| Fluorenone | Mixed with a more flammable solvent and safely incinerated; Controlled oxidation with Fenton's reagent | Decomposes at very high temperatures to yield carbon oxides, water vapor, soot, VOCs, etc. | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Possibly harmful to the environment |
| Fluorescein | Not always required, any method will do | Decomposes, releases combustion gasses, POCs and VOCs | Yes | Yes | Unknown effects |
| Fluoroacetic acid | Decarboxylation, bacterial degradation | Decomposes, releases combustion gasses, HF, methyl fluoride | DO NOT DUMP! | DO NOT DUMP! | Extremely toxic and deadly to insects and mammals, less so to reptiles and birds |
| Fluoroboric acid | Slowly and carefully added to cold calcium hydroxide solution | Decomposes in moist air releasing hydrogen fluoride | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Extremely corrosive and toxic to all organisms |
| Fluorosulfuric acid | Slowly and carefully added to cold water or crushed ice, followed by neutralization with a base | Decomposes in moist air releasing sulfuric acid and hydrogen fluoride | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Extremely corrosive and toxic to all organisms |
| Formaldehyde | Sodium hydroxide | Boils off | DO NOT DUMP | Yes, but only in some places, like farm land | Toxic to small animals, carcinogenic |
| Formamide | Dilution in a more flammable solvent, followed by incineration; Oxidation with Fenton's reagent | Gives off carbon monoxide, dioxide, ammonia, hydrogen cyanide | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Toxic to wildlife, teratogen |
| Formic acid | Sodium hydroxide | Gives off carbon monoxide and water vapors | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Deadly to insects and aquatic life; reason why it's used to kill varroa |
| FOX-7 | Incineration, done outside; Dilution, followed by addition of base, then neutralization of products | Ignites, gives off carbon oxides, nitrogen oxides, water vapors, soot | Do not dump | Do not dump | Little information about its environmental impact is available |
| Fructose | Not required | Will decompose to caramel | Yes | Yes | Non-toxic to environment, nourishment for many organisms |
| Fumaric acid | Not always required, can be dumped in trash | Decomposes releasing acrid smoke, carbon oxides, water vapors and soot | Yes | Yes | Source of food for some organisms |
| Furan | Dilution with a flammable solvent followed by incineration | Gives off carbon oxides and water vapor | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Harmful to wildlife, carcinogenic |
| Furfural | Incineration | Gives off carbon oxides and water vapor | Debatable | Debatable | Low toxicity to wildlife |
| Galactitol | Not required | Yields carbon oxides, water vapors | Yes | Yes | Low toxicity |
| Gasoline | Incineration | Burning gives combustion gasses as well as soot, carbon monoxide and various VOCs | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Toxic to wildlife; very dangerous for aquatic life |
| Gelatin | Not required | Pyrolysis gives foul smelling compounds | Yes | Yes | Safe, biodegradable; nourishment for many organisms |
| Gelignite | Will explode | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Explosive hazard; otherwise good nitrogen source for plants | |
| Glucose | Not required; can be disposed in any way | Will decompose to caramel and carbon if heated too long | Yes | Yes | Non-toxic to environment, nourishment for many organisms |
| Glutamic acid | Not required; can be disposed in any way | Will char and release carbon dioxide, water vapors and nitrogen | Yes | Yes | Non-toxic to environment, nourishment for many organisms |
| Glycerol | Not required; Incineration | Pyrolysis gives acrolein | Yes | Yes | Safe, biodegradable |
| Glycine | Not required; can be disposed in any way | Will char and release carbon dioxide, water vapors and nitrogen | Yes | Yes | Non-toxic to environment, nourishment for many organisms |
| Glycolic acid | Not required; can be disposed in any way | Will char and release carbon dioxide, water vapors | Yes | Yes | Low-toxicity for the environment |
| Glycoluril | Not required; can be disposed in any way | Will char and release carbon dioxide, water vapors | Yes | Yes | Low-toxicity for the environment |
| Glyoxal | Incineration; Precipitation with amines (urea, guanidine, etc.) | Burns, releasing carbon oxides and water vapors; some will evaporate when heated | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Toxic to the wildlife, suspected carcinogen |
| Guanidine | Not required, can be discarded in any way | Pyrolysis gives nitrogen and carbon oxides | Yes | Yes | Safe, biodegradable |
| Guanidinium bicarbonate | Not required, can be dumped in ground; Pyrolysis done outside | Pyrolysis gives nitrogen, water and carbon/nitrogen oxides | Yes, but not recommended | Yes | Safe, nitrogen source for plants; Guanidine derivates occur in guano |
| Guanidinium carbonate | Not required, can be dumped in ground; Pyrolysis done outside | Pyrolysis gives nitrogen, water and carbon/nitrogen oxides | Yes, but not recommended | Yes | Safe, nitrogen source for plants; Guanidine derivates occur in guano |
| Guanidinium chloride | Not required; Careful and controlled pyrolysis | Pyrolysis gives nitrogen, water, chlorine and carbon/nitrogen oxides | Yes, but not recommended | Yes | Safe, nitrogen source for plants; Guanidine derivates occur in guano; Chlorides however are harmful for plants in large amounts |
| Guanidinium nitrate | Not required, can be dumped in ground; Careful and controlled pyrolysis | Pyrolysis gives nitrogen, water and carbon/nitrogen oxides; may explode at high temperatures | Not recommended | Yes | Safe, nitrogen source for plants; Guanidine derivates occur in guano |
| Guanidinium perchlorate | Careful and controlled pyrolysis Reduction with metallic iron under UV light, in low oxygen |
Pyrolysis gives nitrogen, water, chlorine and carbon/nitrogen oxides; may explode at high temperatures | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Perchlorates are harmful for the environment |
| Guanidinium sulfate | Not required, can be dumped in ground; Pyrolysis done outside | Pyrolysis gives nitrogen, water and carbon/nitrogen/sulfur oxides | Yes, but not recommended | Yes | Safe, nitrogen and sulfur source for plants; Guanidine derivates occur in guano |
| Guar gum | Not required | Pyrolysis gives foul smelling compounds | Yes | Yes | Safe, biodegradable; nourishment for many organisms |
| Gum arabic | Not required | Pyrolysis gives foul smelling compounds | Yes | Yes | Safe, biodegradable; nourishment for many organisms |
| Haematoxylin | Not required | Gives off carbon oxides, water vapor and soot | Yes | Yes | Safe, biodegradable; occurs naturally |
| Hematein | Not required | Gives off carbon oxides, water vapor and soot | Yes | Yes | Safe |
| Heptane | Incineration; Oxidation with Fenton's reagent | Gives off carbon dioxide and water vapors | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Toxic to aquatic life and organisms |
| Hexamethylene triperoxide diamine | Adding a mixture of zinc sulfate, copper(II) chloride with Zn and Cu powder in a 5:5:1 ratio to the peroxide solution, in the presence of small amounts of sulfuric acid | Do not use heat, as it will lead to detonation | DO NOT DUMP | Debatable | Slowly breaks down to harmless products |
| Hexamethylphosphoramide | Treatment with hydrochloric acid; dilution of resulting products, followed by disposal | Breaks down yielding phosphine, phosphorus oxides and nitrogen oxides. | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Carcinogenic |
| Hexamine | Incineration | Burning in air yields carbon oxides, water vapor, nitrogen; Pyrolysis yields formaldehyde, carbon oxides, ammonia and nitrogen fumes, HCN (t > 800°C) | Yes | Yes | Nitrogen source for plants |
| Hexane | Incineration; Oxidation with Fenton's reagent | Results in carbon dioxide and water vapor | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Toxic to aquatic life |
| Hexanitrohexaazaisowurtzitane | Incineration, done outside | Ignites, gives off carbon oxides, nitrogen oxides, water vapors, soot | Do not dump | Do not dump | Little information about its environmental impact |
| HMX | Incineration, done outside; Oxidation with Fenton's reagent; Hot aqueous solution containing sodium hydroxide and sodium tetraborate | Ignites, gives off carbon oxides, nitrogen oxides, water vapors, soot | Do not dump | Do not dump | Displays moderate toxicity to aquatic life; can be degraded by some microorganisms |
| Holmium citrate | Recycling | Gives off carbon dioxide and water vapors, leaving holmium(III) oxide behind | Not recommended | Not recommended | Low toxicity to wildlife |
| Hydrazine | Diluted solution of calcium hypochlorite | Gives off toxic fumes; may lead to detonation if temperature is too high | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Toxic to all life |
| Hydrazine hydrochloride | Diluted solution of calcium hypochlorite | Gives off toxic fumes; may lead to detonation if temperature is too high | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Toxic to all life |
| Hydrazine nitrate | Diluted in lots of water, followed by slow addition of a solution of calcium hypochlorite | Decomposes, gives off toxic fumes; may lead to detonation if temperature is too high | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Toxic to all life |
| Hydrazine perchlorate | Diluted in lots of water, followed by slow addition of a solution of calcium hypochlorite | Decomposes, gives off toxic fumes; may lead to detonation if temperature is too high | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Toxic to all life |
| Hydrazine sulfate | Diluted solution of calcium hypochlorite | Gives off toxic fumes; may lead to detonation if temperature is too high | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Toxic to all life |
| Hydrazoic acid | Sodium nitrite or nitrous acid | Will lead to detonation for concentrated solutions | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Dangerous to all life |
| Hydrobromic acid | Any base, carbonate, bicarbonate; sodium thiosulfate can also be used | Boils off the acid, resulting in extremely toxic and corrosive fumes; will lead to decomposition to elemental bromine | NO! Neutralize first | NO! Neutralize first | Toxic and very corrosive |
| Hydrochloric acid | Any alkali or alkaline-earth carbonate, bicarbonate | DON'T! Results in acidic vapors, extremely dangerous and corrosive | NO! Neutralize first | NO! | Toxic to wildlife and corrosive to minerals |
| Hydrofluoric acid | Calcium hydroxide, carbonate | DON'T! Results in acidic fumes, which on contact with skin will lead to burns and death | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Calcium fluoride is more inert than most fluorides and poses little toxicity to wildlife; occurs naturally |
| Hydrogen bromide | Any base, carbonate, bicarbonate; for gaseous form, ammonia can be used, though will result in a dense mist; sodium thiosulfate can be used for removing free bromine | DON'T! Will lead to extremely dangerous and corrosive fumes, which will decompose, resulting bromine vapors | NO! Neutralize first | NO! Neutralize first | Corrosive to organisms and rocks; Bromides have little effect to wildlife |
| Hydrogen chloride | Any base, carbonate, bicarbonate; for gaseous form, ammonia can be used, though will result in a dense ammonium chloride mist | NO | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Corrosive for rocks, toxic for all wildlife |
| Hydrogen cyanide | Absorbtion in water, base, followed by oxidation with hydrogen peroxide, bleach, sodium thiosulfate to less harmful compounds, continued by oxidation to carbon dioxide and nitrogen gas | Burns if ignited, but excess oxygen is required for complete burning | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Highly toxic for all wildlife |
| Hydrogen fluoride | Calcium hydroxide, carbonate, bicarbonate; for gaseous form, excess ammonia can be used, though will result in a dense ammonium fluoride mist; further treatment with calcium hydroxide, carbonate will convert it to the more safe CaF2 | NO | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Corrosive for all life, inorganic materials, toxic for all wildlife |
| Hydrogen iodide | Any base, carbonate, bicarbonate; for gaseous form, ammonia can be used, though will result in a dense mist; sodium thiosulfate can also be used | DON'T! Will lead to extremely dangerous and corrosive fumes, which will decompose, resulting iodine vapors | NO! Neutralize first | NO! Neutralize first | Corrosive to organisms and rocks; Iodides have little toxicity to wildlife |
| Hydrogen peroxide | Manganese dioxide, iron(III) oxide | Diluted solutions will break down harmlessly; Very concentrated solutions may explode if contaminated | Not if concentrated solutions | DO NOT DUMP | Deadly for microbial life, extremely toxic for small animals and aquatic life |
| Hydrogen sulfide | Hydrogen peroxide; sulfur dioxide | Not useful | DO NOT DUMP | Not recommended | Very toxic for animals at high concentrations; Occurs naturally, but at low concentrations |
| Hydroiodic acid | Any alkali or alkaline-earth carbonate, bicarbonate | DON'T! Will lead to extremely dangerous and corrosive fumes, which will decompose, resulting iodine vapors | NO! Neutralize first | NO! Neutralize first | Corrosive to organisms and rocks; Iodides have little toxicity to wildlife |
| Hydroquinone | Mixed with a more flammable solvent and safely incinerated; Controlled oxidation with chromic acid, piranha solution, Fenton's reagent | Decomposes at very high temperatures to yield carbon oxides, water vapor, soot, VOCs, etc. | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Occurs naturally; toxic and possibly carcinogen in high doses |
| Hydroxyacetone | Mixed with a flammable solvent and incinerated; Diluted in water and poured down the drain | Burns at high temperatures, releasing carbon dioxide, water vapors, acrolein | Dilute first | Dilute first | Little environmental impact from the literature available |
| Hydroxylamine | Reduction with Zn/HCl; Dilution followed by decomposition with ferrous or ferric salts; Addition of ketone or aldehyde then heated to decompose | Explodes (free base) | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Toxic for animals at high concentrations |
| Hydroxylammonium chloride | Dilution followed by addition of ketone or aldehyde then heated to decompose; Reduction with Zn/HCl | Decomposes releasing HCl and nitrogen oxides | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Toxic for animals at high concentrations |
| Hydroxylammonium nitrate | Dilution followed by decomposition with ferrous or ferric salts; Addition of ketone or aldehyde then heated to decompose; Reduction with Zn/HCl | Explodes | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Toxic for animals at high concentrations |
| Hydroxylammonium perchlorate | Dilution followed by precipitation of perchlorate with potassium ions, filtration then neutralization of hydroxylamine via addition of ketone or aldehyde, then heated to decompose; Reduction with Zn/HCl | Decomposes releasing nitrogen oxides, nitrogen, HCl, water vapors; explodes at high temperature | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Toxic for animals at high concentrations |
| Hydroxylammonium sulfate | Dilution followed by addition of ketone or aldehyde then heated to decompose; Reduction with Zn/HCl | Decomposes releasing sulfur and nitrogen oxides | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Toxic for animals at high concentrations |
| Hypochlorous acid | Any reducing agent, such as sodium metabisulfite, bisulfite, sulfite, thiosulfate | Decomposes to chlorine, chloric acid, hydrogen chloride | Yes, but recommended to neutralize first | DO NOT DUMP | Very toxic and corrosive to organisms, especially aquatic ones |
| Hypophosphorous acid | Diluted cooled hydrogen peroxide solution | Decomposes to phosphoric acid, phosphorous acid, phosphine | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Harmful and corrosive to organisms, especially aquatic ones |
| Iditol | Not required | Yields carbon oxides, water vapors | Yes | Yes | Low toxicity |
| Indigo dye | Not required; can be dumped in trash | Yields carbon oxides, water vapors, nitrogen, soot, PAHs | Yes | Yes | Low toxicity; occurs naturally |
| Ink | Not always required | Yields carbon oxides, water vapors, leaves ash behind | Yes | Yes | Low toxicity; silver and copper-based inks may be harmful |
| Inositol | Not required | Yields carbon oxides, water vapor | Yes | Yes | Low toxicity, occurs naturally in plants |
| Iodic acid | Neutralization with potassium, calcium bases, followed by reduction with a suitable reducing agent to iodide; thiosulfate added to remove any free iodine | Decomposes at high temperatures to iodine pentoxide which further decomposes above 300 °C to iodine and oxygen | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Toxic to wildlife, both animals and plants |
| Iodine pentoxide | Neutralization with a solution sodium thiosulfate | Decomposes above melting point, releasing iodine and oxygen above 300 °C | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Toxic and corrosive to wildlife |
| Iodine trichloride | Neutralization with a cooled diluted solution of sodium hydroxide and sodium thiosulfate | Decomposes above melting point, releasing ICl and chlorine | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Toxic and corrosive to wildlife |
| Iodoacetic acid | Neutralization with excess sodium hydroxide to sodium glycolate | Evaporates and burns at high temperatures, releasing toxic fumes | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Toxic and corrosive to most wildlife |
| Iodoform | Destruction with aqueous sodium hydroxide | Melts and decomposes near boiling point, releasing iodine, hydrogen iodine fumes | Neutralize first | DO NOT DUMP | Dangerous to wildlife, especially if ingested; small animals are harmed easily |
| Iron(II) chloride | Calcium hydroxide (slaked lime) | Gives off hydrogen chloride fumes in air and or moisture | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Toxic to wildlife |
| Iron(II) sulfate | Not always required; Ammonium hydroxide, carbonate/bicarbonate | Breaks down to iron(III) oxide and gives off sulfur dioxide and trioxide fumes | Yes | Yes | Safe, used in agriculture as iron supplement; May cause algal bloom if released in water bodies |
| Iron(II,III) oxide | Not required | Results in iron(III) oxide in the presence of air | Yes, but not advised | Yes | Safe, occurs naturally |
| Iron(III) chloride | Calcium hydroxide (slaked lime) | Gives off hydrogen chloride fumes | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Extremely toxic to wildlife |
| Iron(III) nitrate | Calcium hydroxide (slaked lime), followed by dilution | Gives off nitrogen oxide fumes, leaving behind iron(III) oxide | Dilute first! | Dilute first! | Harmful to environment in large and concentrated amounts; Diluted iron nitrate is a good source of iron and nitrogen for plants |
| Iron(III) oxide | Not required | Not useful | Yes, but not advised | Yes | Safe, sometimes used in agriculture as iron supplement; May cause algal bloom if released in water bodies |
| Iron(III) sulfate | Calcium hydroxide (slaked lime) | Breaks down into iron(III) oxide and gives off sulfur oxides | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Corrosive, toxic to aquatic life |
| Iron pentacarbonyl | Incineration; oxidation with peroxide; both done outside | Decomposes, releasing copious amounts of iron oxide fumes | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Carbon monoxide is deadly to organisms |
| Isatin | Not required; can be dumped in trash | Yields carbon oxides, water vapors, nitrogen, soot, PAHs | Yes | Yes | Low toxicity; occurs naturally |
| Isobutanol | Incineration | Flammable, gives off carbon dioxide and water vapor | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Dangerous for wildlife and aquatic life |
| Isopropanol | Incineration | Flammable, gives off carbon dioxide and water vapor | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Dangerous for wildlife and aquatic life |
| Isopropyl nitrate | Photolysis; Hydrolysis with cold sodium hydroxide solution | Ignites and burns, may explode | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Toxic to organisms; nitrate source for plants |
| Isopropyl nitrite | Neutralization with sodium hydroxide, followed by incineration | Detonation | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Toxic to wildlife and aquatic life |
| Isopropylamine | Neutralization with any acid; incineration; oxidation with Fenton's reagent | Flammable, burns to release carbon dioxide, water vapors and nitrogen; nitrogen dioxide may also be released | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Toxic to all wildlife and especially aquatic life |
| Juglone | Controlled oxidation with Fenton's reagent | Decomposes at very high temperatures to yield carbon oxides, water vapor, soot, VOCs, etc. | Yes, but dilute first | Do not dump | Occurs naturally; toxic to microorganisms and other plants |
| Kanthal | Taken to scrap metal centers Dumped in trash |
Melts at 1,500 °C | Do not dump | Do not dump | Toxic to wildlife due to chromium |
| Kerosene | Incineration | Burns in the presence of air, to give off carbon dioxide and water vapors | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Dangerous for wildlife and aquatic environment |
| Khusimol | Incineration; not required | Releases carbon dioxide, monoxide, water vapors and soot; Burns in rich oxygen atmosphere | Yes | Yes | Safe, biodegradable; Occurs naturally in various plants |
| Kojic acid | Mixed with a more flammable solvent and followed by incineration | Gives off carbon oxides, water vapors and soot | Yes | Yes | Safe, biodegradable; occurs naturally |
| KS Fluid | Immersion underwater to prevent self-ignition, followed by adding a flocculating or a thickening agent to trap the phosphorus inside; resulting mass should be incinerated in a special incinerator | Pyrophoric, releases toxic sulfur dioxide and phosphorus pentoxide fumes | DO NOT DUMP! | DO NOT DUMP! | Pyrophoric, toxic and corrosive to the environment |
| Lactic acid | Mixed with a more flammable solvent and followed by incineration | Gives off carbon oxides, water vapors and soot | Yes | Yes | Safe, biodegradable; occurs naturally |
| Lead(II) acetate | Alkali carbonate or hydroxide; Lead precipitate should be taken to disposal facilities | Results in lead oxides; Yields carbon oxides, water vapors | DO NOT DUMP! | DO NOT DUMP! | Extremely toxic to all life, due to the good solubility of lead acetate |
| Lead(II) azide | Nitrous acid, ammonium acetate, sodium dichromate | Decomposes to lead/lead(II) oxide releasing nitrogen gas and may explode during decomposition | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Very toxic for wildlife |
| Lead(II) chloride | Taken to hazardous waste disposal centers | Not useful | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Extremely toxic to wildlife |
| Lead(II) chromate | Taken to hazardous waste disposal centers | Breaks down to its component oxides at high temperatures | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Extremely toxic to the environment |
| Lead(II) iodide | Taken to hazardous waste disposal centers | Not useful | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Extremely toxic to wildlife |
| Lead(II) nitrate | Precipitation with a sulfide, carbonate or oxalate; wastes are to be taken to hazardous waste disposal centers | Breaks down in to lead oxide and releases nitrogen dioxide fumes | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Extremely toxic to wildlife due to its good solubility in water |
| Lead(II) oxide | Taken to hazardous waste disposal centers | Not useful | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Extremely toxic to wildlife |
| Lead(II) sulfide | Taken to hazardous waste disposal centers | Decomposes around 500-1000 °C in air to yield sulfur and lead oxides and lead metal fumes | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Occurs naturally; Extremely toxic to the environment and all life |
| Lead(II,IV) oxide | Taken to hazardous waste disposal centers | Not effective | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Extremely toxic to wildlife |
| Lead(IV) acetate | Precipitate with an excess of carbonate, oxalate or a sulfide; waste is to be taken to hazardous waste disposal centers | Results in lead oxide and acetic acid, carbon dioxide, water vapor | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Corrosive and very toxic to all organisms |
| Lead(IV) oxide | Taken to hazardous waste disposal centers | Not useful | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Extremely toxic to wildlife |
| Lead styphnate | Careful and controlled destruction using an oxidizing solution; insoluble lead wastes should be taken to hazardous waste disposal centers | Explodes, releasing lead oxide fumes | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Extremely toxic to all organisms; lead is a known neurotoxin |
| Limonene | Incineration; oxidation; not always required | Results in carbon dioxide, water vapor, soot | Yes | Yes | Safe, biodegradable; occurs naturally |
| Lithium aluminium hydride | Neutralization with an alkali or carbonate solution; recycling of lithium ions | Decomposes to release hydrogen | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Corrosive to organisms, will increase the aluminium concentration in soil or water |
| Lithium azide | Acidified sodium nitrite, nitrous acid | Detonates and gives off nitrogen gas | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Very toxic for wildlife |
| Lithium borohydride | Neutralization with an alkali or carbonate solution; Slow addition in a large volume of water or alcohol;Recycling of lithium ions | Decomposes to release hydrogen | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Corrosive to organisms, will increase the boron concentration in soil or water |
| Lithium chloride | Not required | Hydrated form will give some oxychloride salt | Yes | Yes | Increases the chloride concentration in soil as well as lithium |
| Lithium hydride | Neutralization with a concentrated alkali or carbonate solution, alcohols, long chain alcohols are preferred; best performed in an open area | Decomposes to release hydrogen at very high temperatures | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Corrosive to organisms, toxic to animals |
| Lithium hydroxide | Any acid, carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide; recycling is a good choice | Breaks down to lithium oxide and water vapor | Yes | Neutralize first | Lithium has little effect to plant life, but will affect the nervous system of animals when ingested in excess |
| Lithium hypochlorite | Any reducing agent, such as sodium metabisulfite, bisulfite, sulfite, thiosulfate; Hydrogen peroxide | Melts and decomposes, releasing chlorine | Neutralize first | Neutralize first | Corrosive and harmful to organisms, especially aquatic ones |
| Lithium nitrate | Precipitation; recycling; mixed with a combustible material and ignited | Breaks down to lithium oxide and nitrogen oxides | Yes, dilute first | Yes, dilute first | Nitrate is a source of nitrogen for plants; lithium has little effect to plant life, but will affect the nervous system of animals when ingested in excess |
| Lithium nitrite | Oxidation with sodium percarbonate, oxygen, ozone to nitrate; Thermal decomposition followed by conversion to lithium carbonate or sulfate | Decomposes to form lithium oxide/hydroxide and releases nitrogen oxides fumes | Yes, but not recommended | No | Unlike nitrates, nitrites are poor source of nitrogen for plants; Lithium may be harmful for the central nervous system; Nitrites are toxic for most animals |
| Litmus | Not required; can be poured down the drain | Gives off carbon oxides, water vapor and soot | Yes | Yes | Safe, occurs naturally |
M-Z
| Substance | Neutralization | Heat treatment | Down the drain | Into the soil | Environmental considerations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Magnalium | Diluted acid; Incineration | Burns releasing aluminium and magnesium oxides | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Harmful for wildlife |
| Magnesium carbonate | Any acid; not always required | Not useful; breaks down into magnesium oxide and carbon dioxide at high temperatures | Yes, as powder | Yes | Safe, biodegradable; occurs naturally |
| Magnesium chloride | Not required | Hydrated form gives the oxychloride salt | Yes | Yes | May increase the magnesium and chloride content in the soil significantly |
| Magnesium diboride | Careful hydrolysis | Oxidizes at high temperatures in air | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Boron compounds are harmful |
| Magnesium hydroxide | Not always required; any acid can be used, though a weak one is more economical | Decomposes at 350 °C to magnesium oxide and releases water vapors | Yes | Yes | Raises the soil pH; source of magnesium for plants |
| Magnesium nitrate | Not required; an aqueous carbonate solution, like potassium carbonate can be used if necessary | Decomposes above 330 °C to give off oxygen and nitrogen oxides | Yes | OH YES | Good source of nitrogen and magnesium for plants (fertilizer); May cause algal bloom in water bodies |
| Magnesium oxide | Not always required; any acid can be used, though a weak one is more economical | Not effective | Yes | Yes | Raises the soil pH; source of magnesium for plants |
| Magnesium sulfate | Not required | Will dehydrate when heated; Gives off sulfur oxides at very high temperature | Yes | Yes | Source of magnesium for plants |
| Malonic acid | Not always required, can be dumped in trash | Decomposes releasing acrid smoke, carbon oxides, water vapors and soot | Yes | Yes | Maybe be source of food for some organisms |
| Manganese dioxide | Oxalic acid | Converts it into other oxides | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Toxic to wildlife |
| Manganese heptoxide | Aqueous solutions or suspensions of base, carbonate, bicarbonate | Breaks down to manganese dioxide and gives off ozone; may explode | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Burns organic material on contact, even wet organic material |
| Manganese(II) chloride | Precipitated to managnese dioxide; Taken to waste disposal facilities; Dumped in trash | Decomposes at high temperatures | Yes, but in small quantities | Yes, but in small quantities | Classified as dangerous to environment |
| Manganese(II) sulfate | Dumped in trash | Decomposes at high temperatures | Yes, but in small quantities | Yes, but in small quantities | Classified as dangerous to environment |
| Mannitol | Not required | Melts; Releases carbon dioxide and water vapor at high temperatures | Yes | Yes | Cannot be digested by most organisms, but has no dangerous effects on wildlife |
| Mannitol hexanitrate | Cooled aqueous solution of diluted sodium hydroxide, added in excess | Detonates at temperatures > 120 °C | DO NOT DUMP | In small amounts | Dangerous to animals due to its vasodilator effects; harmless to plants, nitrogen source for plant life |
| Menthol | Incineration; not required | Releases carbon dioxide, monoxide, water vapors and soot; Burns in rich oxygen atmosphere | Yes | Yes | Safe, biodegradable; Occurs naturally in various plants, like peppermint |
| Mercury sulfide | Taken to hazardous waste disposal centers | Decomposes over 580 °C to yield sulfur oxides and mercury vapors | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Occurs naturally; Extremely toxic to the environment and all life |
| Mercury(II) chloride | Conversion to cinnabar; Taken to hazardous waste disposal centers | Sublimes | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Extremely toxic to the environment and all life |
| Mercury(II) fulminate | Conversion to cinnabar; Taken to hazardous waste disposal centers | Explodes, giving off carbon oxides, nitrogen gas and hazardous mercury vapors | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Extremely toxic to the environment and all life |
| Mercury(II) nitrate | Conversion to cinnabar; Taken to hazardous waste disposal centers | Decomposes, releasing nitrogen dioxide, oxygen, mercury(II) oxide, mercury vapors | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Extremely toxic to the environment and all life |
| Mercury(II) oxide | Conversion to cinnabar; Taken to hazardous waste disposal centers | Decomposes over 500 °C to yield mercury vapors | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Extremely toxic to the environment and all life |
| Mercury(II) sulfate | Taken to hazardous waste disposal centers; Conversion to cinnabar | Decomposes over 450 °C to yield sulfur oxides and mercury vapors | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Extremely toxic to the environment and all life |
| Mercury(II) thiocyanate | Conversion to mercury(II) sulfide; Taken to hazardous waste disposal centers; | Decomposes over 165 °C to yield a residue known as "Pharaoh's snake", as well as sulfur oxides and mercury vapors | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Extremely toxic to the environment and all life |
| Metformin | Strong oxidizing solution, like chromic acid | Decomposes giving off carbon oxides, nitrogen, water, soot | Do not dump | Do not dump | High nitrogen content may be suitable for plants; large amounts may be harmful for fauna |
| Methane | Incineration | Releases carbon dioxide and water vapors | Not possible | Not possible | Contributes to global warming |
| Methanol | Incineration | Will give off carbon dioxide and water vapor, as well as some formaldehyde if not enough oxygen | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Very toxic to wildlife |
| Methyl acetate | Incineration | Gives off carbon dioxide and water vapors | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Hazardous to environment in large amounts |
| Methyl blue | Poured down the drain | Decomposes giving off carbon oxides, sulfur oxides, nitrogen, water, soot, VOCs | Yes | Yes, but not recommended | May be harmful to microorganisms, fauna and water bodies |
| Methyl cellosolve | Mixed with a more flammable solvent and incinerated | Generates smoke, carbon dioxide and water vapors | Yes, but dilute it first | Yes, but dilute it first | Relative safe, harmful in large amounts |
| Methyl ethyl ketone | Incineration | Gives off carbon dioxide and water vapors | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Toxic to wildlife |
| Methyl ethyl ketone peroxide | Reduction with a reducing agent, such as sodium sulfite; Test for peroxides after neutralization; If no peroxides present, incineration or other proper disposal method | Decomposes and explodes | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Toxic to wildlife |
| Methyl formate | Incineration | Gives off carbon dioxide and water vapors | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Hazardous to environment in large amounts |
| Methyl iodide | Alkali solution, followed by sodium thiosulfate to remove any free iodine | Decomposes to release iodine fumes | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Dangerous to wildlife in high concentrations; Occurs naturally in low concentrations |
| Methyl isobutyl ketone | Incineration | Gives off carbon dioxide and water vapors | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Harmful to wildlife |
| Methyl nitrate | Diluted alkali solution, recommended to be cooled first to prevent possible explosion | Will lead to explosion | No | No | Dangerous to wildlife |
| Methyl orange | Oxidized with a strong oxidizing solution, such as chromic acid, Fenton's reagent, piranha solution, followed by neutralization and then poured down the drain | Decomposes giving off carbon dioxide, nitrogen, water vapors, VOCs, PAHs | No, neutralize first | No, neutralize first | Dangerous to environment, mutagen |
| Methyl red | Oxidized with a strong oxidizing solution, such as chromic acid, Fenton's reagent, piranha solution, followed by neutralization and then poured down the drain | Decomposes giving off carbon dioxide, nitrogen, water vapors, VOCs, PAHs | Yes, but not recommended | No, neutralize first | May be harmful to water bodies |
| Methyl salicylate | Incineration; Not always required | Gives off carbon dioxide and water vapors | Yes | Yes | Low toxicity to environment in small amounts |
| Methyl tert-butyl ether | Incineration | Gives off carbon dioxide and water vapors | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Classified as hazardous to environment and ground water |
| Methyl yellow | Oxidized with a strong oxidizing solution, such as chromic acid, Fenton's reagent, piranha solution, followed by neutralization and then poured down the drain | Decomposes giving off carbon dioxide, nitrogen, water vapors, VOCs, PAHs | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Dangerous to environment, mutagen, carcinogen |
| Methylamine | Incineration | Burns in air, giving off carbon dioxide, nitrogen and water vapors | Not recommended | Not recommended | Amines can be source of nitrogen for plants, but may be harmful to fauna and water bodies |
| Methylene blue | Poured down the drain | Decomposes giving off carbon dioxide, sulfur oxides, nitrogen, water, hydrogen chloride vapors, VOCs, PAHs and other harmful compounds | Yes | Yes, but not recommended | May be harmful to microbial life, fauna and water bodies |
| Mineral oil | Incineration | Will burn at high temperatures, releasing carbon oxides, water vapors and soot | No | No | Oils float on water bodies and inhibit the cellular breathing of many organisms |
| Mischmetal | Recycled Dumped in trash |
Melts between 790 – 1010 °C | Not recommended | Possible, though not recommended | Lanthanides show low toxicity to organisms |
| Monopotassium phosphate | Not required; Excess slaked lime can be used to precipitate calcium phosphate | Decomposes on heating at high temperatures to release water vapors, leaving a residue of potassium and phosphorus oxides | Yes | Yes | Safe, good fertilizer (potassium and phosphorus source) |
| Morpholine | Mixed with a flammable solvent and burned | Decomposes, releases combustion gasses, VOCs | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | May cause death of aqueous organisms |
| Mu-metal | Recycling Taken to scrap metal centers |
Melts at around 1454°C | DO NOT DUMP! | DO NOT DUMP! | Dangerous to wildlife due to nickel and chromium content |
| Murexide | Poured down the drain | Decomposes giving off carbon oxides, nitrogen, water, soot, VOCs | Yes | Yes, but not recommended | Environmental effects are currently unknown |
| N-(1-Naphthyl)ethylenediamine dihydrochloride | Oxidation with an oxidizing solution, such as Fenton's reagent, piranha solution or chromic acid | Decomposes, releasing carbon oxides, nitrogen oxides, water vapors, PAHs, soot | Dilute first | Do not dump | Possibly harmful for the environment; little data available on its environmental effects |
| N-Allylthiourea | Oxidation with an oxidizing solution, such as Fenton's reagent, piranha solution or chromic acid | Generates carbon oxides, water vapor, sulfur oxides, soot and nitrogen | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Harmful to wildlife; Nitrification inhibitor, slows the nitrification of ammonia |
| N-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone | Mixed with a more flammable solvent, followed by incineration outside or in an incinerator; Oxidation with Fenton's reagent under controlled conditions | Gives off toxic fumes or carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, VOCs | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Toxic to wildlife |
| NaK | Long-chained alcohols, diluted with an alkane | Ignites in air | DO NOT DUMP! | DO NOT DUMP! | Pyrophoric, both alloy and reaction products corrosive to wildlife |
| Naphtha | Incineration | Burning gives combustion gasses as well as soot, carbon monoxide and various VOCs | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Toxic to wildlife; very dangerous for aquatic life |
| Naphthalene | Incineration, best done in an incinerator with afterburner; Oxidation with Fenton's reagent | Generates carbon dioxide, water vapors, carbon monoxide, soot, VOCs | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Toxic to wildlife |
| Naphthol Green B | Poured down the drain; oxidized with a strong oxidizing solution, neutralized then poured down the drain | Decomposes giving off carbon and sulfur oxides, nitrogen, water, soot, VOCs | Yes | Yes, but not recommended | May be harmful to microorganisms, fish in water bodies |
| Neodymium iron boron magnet | Recycled Dumped in trash |
Loses magnetism when heated and melts at high temperatures | Not recommended | Possible, though not recommended | Lanthanides show low toxicity to organisms |
| Neodymium oxalate | Pyrolysis, followed by recycling of Nd slag | Gives off carbon oxides, leaving neodymium oxides and hydroxides behind | Do not dump | Do not dump | Presents toxicity to wildlife due to the oxalate group |
| Niacin | Dumped in trash, poured down the drain | Sublimes and decomposes, releasing carbon oxides, water vapors, soot, pyridine derivatives | Yes | Yes | Low toxicity, essential nutrient for life |
| Nichrome | Recycled Dumped in trash |
Melts at 1400 °C | Do not dump | Do not dump | Nickel and chromium are harmful for wildlife |
| Nickel hydrazine nitrate | Safe detonation in remote area | Detonates | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Nickel is very toxic for animals; hydrazine is very toxic to environment |
| Nickel hydrazine perchlorate | Strong dilution in water, followed by CAREFUL addition of a diluted base; precipitation of nickel | Detonates | DO NOT DUMP! | DO NOT DUMP! | Nickel is harmful for animals; hydrazine is very toxic to environment; perchlorates are toxic for animals and plants |
| Nickel(II) nitrate | Precipitation with a soluble hydroxide; precipitate should be taken to disposal centers | Gives off nitrogen oxide fumes, leaving behind nickel oxide slag | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Toxic to wildlife, allergen |
| Nickel(II) perchlorate | Reduction of perchlorate to chloride; Precipitation with a soluble hydroxide; precipitate should be taken to disposal centers | Gives off chlorine oxide fumes, leaving behind nickel oxide slag; may decompose violently if organic contaminant present | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Toxic to wildlife, allergen |
| Nickel(II) sulfate | Precipitation with a soluble hydroxide; precipitate should be taken to disposal centers | Gives off sulfur oxide fumes, leaving behind nickel oxide slag | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Toxic to wildlife, allergen |
| Nicotinamide | Dumped in trash, poured down the drain | Sublimes and decomposes, releasing carbon oxides, water vapors, soot, pyridine derivatives | Yes | Yes | Low toxicity, essential nutrient for life |
| Nicotine | Oxidation; Photolysis; Pyrolysis with selenium | Generates carbon oxides, water vapors, soot, VOCs and toxic nicotine vapors | Acceptable in small quantities | Only as insecticide | Deadly to small animals, toxic and addictive to large organisms; absorbs through skin; biodegradable |
| Nile red | Not required | Gives off carbon oxides, water vapor and soot | Yes | Yes | Limited data on its environmental effects |
| Nitric acid | Any base, hydroxide, carbonate, bicarbonate | Boils off, while also giving off nitrogen dioxide fumes | Neutralize first | Neutralize first | Corrosive to organisms and rocks; its salts are excellent nitrogen source for plants |
| Nitric oxide | Sodium percarbonate solution | Not useful | Not possible | Not possible | Oxidizes to nitrogen dioxide in air, which is highly toxic and corrosive; creates acid rain |
| Nitrobenzene | Oxidation with an oxidizing solution, such as Fenton's reagent, piranha solution or chromic acid | Generates carbon oxides, water vapor, soot and nitrogen | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Toxic to all wildlife |
| Nitrocellulose | Controlled incineration; Hydrolysis with aqueous alkali hydroxide | Breaks down to release combustion gasses and self-ignites at 160 °C | DO NOT DUMP | No; however it can be converted to fertilizer by adding aqueous ammonia | Breaks down in the presence of water to give nitric acid, which, after neutralization becomes source of nitrogen for plants |
| Nitroethane | Incineration | Burns giving off carbon oxides, water vapors and nitrogen gas | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Dangerous to wildlife |
| Nitrogen dioxide | Bubbling through an alkali solution, peroxide solution | Not useful | Not possible | No | Reacts with air moisture to generate nitric acid and contributes to the acid rain; extremely toxic to animals and plants |
| Nitrogen trichloride | Photolysis; Hydrolysis with hot water; Reduction with sodium thiosulfate | Detonates | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Corrosive and toxic to wildlife |
| Nitrogen triiodide | Sodium thiosulfate solution | Detonation, giving off corrosive iodine vapors | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | The iodine vapors it gives off during decomposition are dangerous to organisms in short term |
| Nitroglycerin | Photolysis; Hydrolysis with cold sodium hydroxide solution | Violent detonation | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Toxic to organisms; nitrate source for plants |
| Nitroguanidine | Not required, can be dumped in ground; Careful and controlled pyrolysis | Pyrolysis gives nitrogen, water and carbon/nitrogen oxides; may explode at high temperatures | Possibly | Yes | Safe, nitrogen source for plants, used as fertilizer; Guanidine derivates occur in guano |
| Nitromethane | Incineration | Burns giving off carbon oxides, water vapors and nitrogen gas | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Dangerous to wildlife |
| Nitronium perchlorate | Slow addition to water, followed by neutralization with dil. NaOH | Decomposes to release nitrogen/chlorine oxides and oxygen | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Dangerous and very toxic to wildlife |
| Nitronium tetrafluoroborate | Slow addition to water, followed by neutralization with dil. NaOH | Decomposes to release NO2F and BF3 | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Dangerous and very toxic to wildlife |
| Nitrosonium tetrafluoroborate | Slow addition to water, followed by neutralization with dil. NaOH | Decomposes to release NOF and BF3, in moist air forms acids | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Dangerous and very toxic to wildlife |
| Nitrosyl chloride | Aqueous base; percarbonates can also be used to remove nitric oxide; multiple washings may be required | Decomposes, giving off nitrogen oxide and chlorine/HCl fumes | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Highly corrosive and toxic to all organisms and materials |
| Nitrosylsulfuric acid | Careful addition to crushed ice, followed by neutralization with a diluted base | Decomposes releasing toxic fumes | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Deadly and extremely corrosive to all organisms |
| Nitrourea | Diluted and hydrolyzed; Careful and controlled pyrolysis | Pyrolysis gives nitrogen, water and carbon/nitrogen oxides; may explode at high temperatures | Hydrolyze first | Hydrolyze first | May pose toxicity to fauna |
| Nitrous acid | Any base, hydroxide, carbonate, bicarbonate; percarbonates can also be used | Decomposes, giving off nitrogen oxide fumes | Neutralize first | Neutralize first | Corrosive to organisms and rocks; salts somewhat toxic to animals |
| Nitrous oxide | Gentle reduction with various reducing agents | Breaks down to nitrogen and oxygen at high temperatures | Not possible | Not possible | Low toxicity to wildlife, may induce light narcotic effects and laughing sensation in some organisms |
| Nonane | Incineration; Oxidation with Fenton's reagent | Ignites in air, gives off carbon dioxide and water vapors, soot | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Toxic to aquatic life and organisms |
| Octane | Incineration; Oxidation with Fenton's reagent | Gives off carbon dioxide and water vapors | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Toxic to aquatic life and organisms |
| Octyl acetate | Mixed with a more flammable solvent, followed by incineration | Gives off carbon oxides, water vapors and soot | Yes | Yes | Safe, occurs naturally in citrus fruit peels |
| Onchidal | Neutralization with an oxidizing mixture | Gives off carbon oxides, water vapors and soot | Neutralize first | Neutralize first | Highly toxic, occurs naturally |
| Orcein | Not required; can be poured down the drain | Gives off carbon oxides, water vapor and soot | Yes | Yes | Safe, occurs naturally |
| Orotic acid | Pyrolysis; diluted and poured down the drain | Decomposes on heating to release carbon oxides and various organic compounds | Yes, if diluted | Yes, if diluted | May pose a threat to wildlife in large amounts |
| Osmium tetroxide | Reduced with hydrogen or another reducing agent | Sublimes, releasing highly toxic fumes | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Extremely toxic in short term |
| Oxalic acid | Neutralization with any oxide, hydroxide, carbonate, followed by pyrolysis | Releases carbon oxides and water vapor at high temperature | Yes, but dilute it first | No | Toxic to wildlife; Small amounts occur in some plants |
| Oxalyl chloride | Disolving it in large amounts of water, followed by neutralization with any oxide, hydroxide, carbonate | Sublimes | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Toxic and corrosive to wildlife and environment |
| Ozone | Any compound easily oxidizable that does not ignite, such as carbon monoxide, activated charcoal | Accelerates the decomposition of ozone, but not enough | Not possible | No | Dangerous to wildlife, may oxidize various gaseous compounds, contributing to the acid rain; In the upper atmosphere it acts as UV shield |
| p-Dimethylaminobenzalrhodanine | Oxidized with a strong oxidizing solution, such as chromic acid, Fenton's reagent, piranha solution, followed by neutralization and then poured down the drain | Decomposes giving off carbon dioxide, nitrogen, water vapors, VOCs, PAHs | Yes, but not recommended | No, neutralize first | May be harmful to water bodies |
| Paper | Incineration; Dumping in trash | Will burn if ignited, releasing carbon oxides, water vapors and soot | Do not dump | Do not dump uncomposted | Excess paper is harmful for environment, unless composted first |
| Paraffin wax | Incineration; Dumping in trash | Will burn at high temperatures, releasing carbon oxides, water vapors and soot | Do not dump | Do not dump | Wax, both solid and molten, floats on water bodies and may inhibit the cellular breathing of many organisms |
| Pentaerythritol | Mixed with a flammable solvent and incinerated | Gives off carbon oxides, water vapors, aldehydes | Yes | Yes | Low toxicity to aquatic life; Classified as biodegradable[8] |
| Pentaerythritol tetranitrate | Oxidation with Fenton's reagent; Mixed with a flammable solvent and incinerated; Reduction with powdered iron[9] | Gives off carbon oxides, water vapors, soot | Yes, but not recommended | Yes | Displays relative low toxicity to aquatic life; PETN undergoes safe biodegradation |
| Pentane | Incineration | Flammable, releases carbon oxides, water vapor when burned in air | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Dangerous to wildlife |
| Pentanoic acid | Bicarbonates, carbonates, bases, oxides; neutralized solution can be safely poured down the drain; valeric salts can also be pyrolyzed in a kiln | Flammable (high concentrations, >86 °C), no dangerous combustion products, though the smoke will have a rancid smell | Yes, but recommended to neutralize first | Neutralize first | Safe, biodegradable; avoid dumping large amounts, dangerous to microfauna and water bodies |
| Pentanol | Mixed with a more flammable solvent and incinerated | Flammable, gives off carbon dioxide and water vapor | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Dangerous for wildlife and aquatic life in large concentrations |
| Peracetic acid | Dilution in water, followed by neutralization with a base; iron oxide can be added to decompose hydrogen peroxide; can be poured down the drain afterwards | May explode at high temperatures, at high concentrations | Do not dump | Do not dump | Toxic and corrosive to wildlife, both animals and plants |
| Perchloric acid | Neutralization with potassium, calcium bases, followed by reduction with metallic iron under UV light in the absence of air | May explode at high temperatures, at high concentrations | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Toxic to wildlife, both animals and plants |
| Periodic acid | Neutralization with potassium, calcium bases, followed by reduction with a suitable reducing agent to iodide; thiosulfate added to remove any free iodine | Decomposes at high temperatures to iodine pentoxide which further decomposes above 300 °C to iodine and oxygen | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Toxic to wildlife, both animals and plants |
| Permanganic acid | Hydrogen peroxide; Caro's acid | Leads to decomposition, resulting in manganese dioxide slag | Do not dump | Do not dump | The resulting manganese dioxide from the decomposition can be toxic if ingested by animals |
| Peroxydisulfuric acid | Any base, carbonate, bicarbonate | May explode if concentrated | Neutralize first | Neutralize first | Strong oxidizer, it is dangerous and toxic to small organisms |
| Peroxymonosulfuric acid | Any base, carbonate, bicarbonate | May explode if concentrated | Neutralize first | Neutralize first | Strong oxidizer, it is dangerous and toxic to small organisms |
| Petroleum | Controlled incineration | Burns in the presence of air, to give off carbon dioxide and water vapors | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Dangerous for wildlife and aquatic environment |
| Petroleum ether | Incineration | Burns in the presence of air, to give off carbon dioxide and water vapors | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Dangerous for wildlife and aquatic environment |
| Phenanthroline | Oxidation with Fenton's reagent or piranha solution, followed by neutralization and poured down the drain | Gives off carbon oxides, water vapors, soot, VOCs, PAHs, nitrogen | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Dangerous to environment, very toxic to aquatic life |
| Phenethyl alcohol | Mixed with a more flammable solvent and incinerated | Flammable if preheated, gives off carbon dioxide, soot and water vapors | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Harmful for wildlife and aquatic life in large concentrations |
| Phenol | Incineration; Oxidation with Fenton's reagent | Gives off carbon oxides, water vapors, soot and VOCs | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Dangerous to environment |
| Phenolphthalein | Incineration; Oxidation with Fenton's reagent | Gives off carbon oxides, water vapors, soot and VOCs | Dilute it with plenty of water before release | Not recommended | Dangerous to environment in large amounts |
| Phenylacetaldehyde | Not always required, may be strongly diluted and poured down the drain | Breaks down to carbon oxides, water vapors, soot; may give off aromatic vapors | Dilute first | Dilute first | Low toxicity, occurs naturally in plants |
| Phenylacetic acid | Not always required, may be strongly diluted and poured down the drain | Breaks down to carbon oxides, water vapors, soot; may give off aromatic vapors | Dilute first | Dilute first | Low toxicity, may occur naturally in small amounts |
| Phenylacetone | Excess bleach, excess NaOH | Breaks down releasing carbon dioxide, water vapors, soot, PAHs | Neutralize first | Neutralize first | Relative safe, poses low toxicity |
| Phenylacetylene | Oxidation with Fenton's reagent; Incineration, best done with an afterburner | Flammable, burns in air to release carbon oxides, water vapors, soot, VOCs | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Toxic to wildlife and very dangerous to aquatic life, as well as soil |
| Phloroglucinol | Mixed with a more flammable solvent and incinerated | Generates smoke, carbon dioxide and water vapors | Yes, but dilute it first | Yes, but dilute it first | Relative safe, biodegradable; Occurs naturally in small amounts |
| Phosgene | Alkaline metal hydroxide, ammonia | NO | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Extremely toxic for all organisms |
| Phosphine | Bleach (best bet); hydrogen peroxide; oxygen; ozone; | May ignite in the presence of air | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Extremely toxic for all organisms, used to kill pests |
| Phosphoric acid | Any metal oxide, hydroxide, carbonate | Not very useful | Yes, if it's diluted | Neutralize it first, good source of phosphorus, unless contaminated | Deadly to small animals; excess in water bodies may cause algal bloom |
| Phosphorus pentabromide | Suspension of calcium hydroxide, sodium thiosulfate, cooled; PBr5 is added slowly to prevent splashing; Neutralization area must be well ventilated | Breaks down to bromine, hydrogen bromide, phosphorus tribromide and phosphorous acids in the presence of air/moisture | DO NOT DUMP! Neutralize it first | DO NOT DUMP! Neutralize it first | Corrosive and deadly to all wildlife; Lowers soil pH; Corrosive to rocks, soil |
| Phosphorus pentachloride | Suspension of calcium hydroxide, cooled; PCl5 is added slowly to prevent splashing; Neutralization area must be well ventilated | Boils and breaks down to chlorine, hydrogen chloride and phosphorous acids in the presence of air/moisture | DO NOT DUMP! Neutralize it first | DO NOT DUMP! Neutralize it first | Corrosive and deadly to all wildlife; Lowers soil pH; Corrosive to rocks, soil |
| Phosphorus pentoxide | Alkaline solution, lots of water | Will volatilize at very high temperatures | No, reaction with water is highly exothermic and may generate acidic steam | Neutralize first | Corrosive and dangerous on direct contact with wildlife; Reaction with water will lead to phosphoric acid, highly corrosive and dangerous. |
| Phosphorus tribromide | Suspension of calcium hydroxide, sodium thiosulfate, cooled; PBr3 is added slowly to prevent splashing; Neutralization area must be well ventilated | Boils and breaks down to bromine, hydrogen bromide and phosphorous acids in the presence of air/moisture | DO NOT DUMP! Neutralize it first | DO NOT DUMP! Neutralize it first | Corrosive and deadly to all wildlife; Lowers soil pH; Corrosive to rocks, soil |
| Phosphorus trichloride | Suspension of calcium hydroxide, sodium thiosulfate, cooled; PCl3 is added slowly to prevent splashing; Neutralization area must be well ventilated | Boils and breaks down to chlorine, hydrogen chloride and phosphorous acids in the presence of air/moisture | DO NOT DUMP! Neutralize it first | DO NOT DUMP! Neutralize it first | Corrosive and deadly to all wildlife; Lowers soil pH; Corrosive to rocks, soil |
| Phosphorus triiodide | Sodium thiosulfate solution/suspension; PI3 is added slowly to prevent splashing; Neutralization area must be well ventilated | Decomposes, releasing corrosive fumes | DO NOT DUMP! | DO NOT DUMP! | Very toxic and corrosive to organisms and rocks |
| Phosphoryl bromide | Suspension of calcium hydroxide, sodium thiosulfate, cooled; POBr3 is added slowly to prevent splashing; Neutralization area must be well ventilated | Boils and breaks down to bromine, hydrogen bromide and phosphorous acids in the presence of air/moisture | DO NOT DUMP! Neutralize it first | DO NOT DUMP! Neutralize it first | Corrosive and deadly to all wildlife; Lowers soil pH; Corrosive to rocks, soil |
| Phosphoryl chloride | Suspension of calcium hydroxide, sodium thiosulfate, cooled; POCl3 is added slowly to prevent splashing; Neutralization area must be well ventilated | Boils and breaks down to chlorine, hydrogen chloride and phosphorous acids in the presence of air/moisture | DO NOT DUMP! Neutralize it first | DO NOT DUMP! Neutralize it first | Corrosive and deadly to all wildlife; Lowers soil pH; Corrosive to rocks, soil |
| Phthalic anhydride | Oxidation with oxidizing solutions, such as chromic acid, Fenton's reagent, piranha solution | Gives off carbon oxides, water vapors, soot and VOCs | Dilute it with plenty of water before release | Not recommended | Dangerous to environment in large amounts |
| Picramic acid | Oxidation with Fenton's reagent | Gives off carbon dioxide, water vapors, soot, VOCs | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Very toxic to environment |
| Picric acid | Hydrolysis with aqueous sodium hydroxide; oxidation with Fenton's reagent; Containers with dry picric acid should be taken by professionals and safely detonated in a remote location | Gives off carbon dioxide, water vapors, soot, VOCs | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Very toxic to environment |
| PLX | Strongly diluted with a flammable solvent and safely incinerated | Gives off carbon dioxide, water vapors, may explode if impurities present | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Very harmful to environment |
| Polystyrene | Incineration; Dumping in trash | Will burn at high temperatures, releasing carbon oxides, water vapors and soot | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Harmful for the environment |
| Polytetrafluoroethylene | Not required; Can simply be dumped in trash | Generates toxic fluorine, hydrogen fluoride, fluorocarbons and carbon oxide vapors | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Resistant to most corrosive chemicals, cannot be digested by wildlife |
| Portland cement | Hydration, followed by recycling, dumping in trash, ground, etc. | Not useful | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Non-hydrated cement is hazardous to environment, animals and plants; hydrated solid is generally non-toxic; Production of cement is extremely harmful to environment |
| Potassium antimony tartrate | Pyrolysis, followed by taking the resulting slag to disposal facilities | Gives off carbon oxides and water vapors, leaving potassium antimony oxide slag behind | Do not dump | Do not dump | Hazardous to wildlife |
| Potassium azide | Acidified sodium nitrite, nitrous acid | Detonates and gives off nitrogen gas | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Very toxic for wildlife |
| Potassium bicarbonate | Any acid will do | Above 292 °C decomposes to potassium carbonate and above 891 °C will yield potassium oxide and carbon dioxide, which is quickly reabsorbed as it cools | Yes | OH YES | Excess may increase the concentration of potassium in the dumping area |
| Potassium bismuthate | Hydrolysis; neutralization with hydrogen peroxide | Breaks down to its constituent oxides, both dry and as solution | Do not dump | Do not dump | Dangerous to organisms due to its strong oxidizing properties; high amounts of bismuth are toxic |
| Potassium bisulfate | Any base, carbonate, bicarbonate | Decomposes to high temperatures releasing water vapors and sulfur trioxide | Yes | Neutralize first | Decreases the soil pH, high levels of sodium are toxic for plants |
| Potassium bisulfite | Bleach or hydrogen peroxide can be used if desired | Decomposes to release sulfur dioxide and water vapors | Yes | Yes, but not recommended | High levels of sulfur dioxide are toxic for organisms |
| Potassium bitartrate | Not required; can be disposed in anyway | Decomposes, releasing combustion gasses, carbon oxides, water vapors | Yes | Yes | Safe, low toxicity; occurs during wine fermentation |
| Potassium bromate | Reduction with thiosulfate | Decomposes to potassium bromide and oxygen | Neutralize first | No | Toxic to plants, suspected carcinogen |
| Potassium bromide | Not required | May give off bromine vapors in the presence of water at high temperatures | Yes | Yes | Bromide ions pose little toxicity to wildlife in small amounts |
| Potassium carbonate | Any acid will do | No, very high temperatures decompose it to potassium oxide and carbon dioxide, which is quickly reabsorbed as it cools | Yes | OH YES | Excess may increase the soil level of potassium in the dumping area |
| Potassium chlorate | Reduction with metabisulfite, sulfite or bisulfite; a mixture of sulfuric acid and ferric ammonium sulfate can also be used | Melts and disproportionates to potassium perchlorate and potassium chloride | Small amounts can be dumped, as household bleach already contains a small percentage of chlorates, especially if it's old; Do not dump large quantities | No | Toxic to plants, was used as a weedkiller in the past |
| Potassium chloride | Not required | Melts, not useful | Yes | Yes, unless the soil is chloride sensitive | Presence of chlorides may have a harmful effect to some plants |
| Potassium chlorochromate | Neutralization with a reducing agent, such as ascorbic acid sodium metabisulfite, sulfite, bisulfite at acidic pH | Decomposes above 290 °C, releasing oxygen | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Cr(VI) is a potent carcinogen and very toxic to organisms |
| Potassium chromate | Neutralization with a reducing agent, such as ascorbic acid sodium metabisulfite, sulfite, bisulfite at acidic pH | Decomposes above 1000 °C, releasing oxygen | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Cr(VI) ions are powerful carcinogens and very toxic to organisms |
| Potassium cyanide | Oxidation with hydrogen peroxide, bleach, sodium thiosulfate to less harmful compounds, continued by oxidation to carbon dioxide and nitrogen gas | Melts and may oxidize in oxygen-rich atmosphere | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Highly toxic for all wildlife |
| Potassium dichromate | Reducing with a reducing agent, such as sodium metabisulfite, sulfite, bisulfite, ascorbic acid at acidic pH | Breaks down, releasing oxygen | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Cr(VI) ions are carcinogenic and very toxic to organisms |
| Potassium ferrate | Any acid, hot water | Breaks down to iron(III) oxide and potassium hydroxide, best in the presence of moisture | Yes, but recommended to neutralize first | Yes, but recommended to neutralize first | Dangerous to wildlife in short term |
| Potassium ferricyanide | Not required for small amounts, dumped in trash | Breaks down to iron and potassium nitrides/oxides, releasing cyanide, carbon monoxide | Yes, but small amounts | Yes, but small amounts | Low toxicity to organisms, though tends to break down under UV light |
| Potassium ferrocyanide | Not required for small amounts, dumped in trash | Breaks down to iron and potassium nitrides/oxides, releasing cyanide, carbon monoxide | Yes, but small amounts | Yes, but small amounts | Low toxicity to organisms |
| Potassium hexachlorostannate | Precipitate to SnO2 | Melts | Dilute it first | Dilute it first | Unknown environmental effects |
| Potassium hydrogen phthalate | Oxidation with oxidizing solutions, such as chromic acid, Fenton's reagent, piranha solution | Gives off carbon oxides, water vapors, soot and VOCs | Dilute it with plenty of water before release | Yes, but not recommended | Dangerous to environment in large amounts |
| Potassium hydroxide | Any acid, carbon dioxide | Not useful | Yes | Neutralize first; neutralized is a good source of potassium for plants | Dangerous to wildlife in short term |
| Potassium hypochlorite | Any reducing agent, such as sodium metabisulfite, bisulfite, sulfite, thiosulfate; Hydrogen peroxide | Disproportionates to potassium chlorate and potassium chloride, giving off chlorine | Yes | DO NOT DUMP | Very toxic to organisms, especially aquatic ones |
| Potassium iodate | Reduction to potassium iodide; recycling | Decomposes, releasing oxygen, and iodine at high enough temperatures | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Potassium iodate may be harmful to organisms |
| Potassium iodide | Not required | May release iodine vapors in the presence of water | Yes | Yes | Low toxicity to wildlife |
| Potassium manganate | Any reducing agents, such as oxalic acid, hydrogen peroxide | Breaks down to manganese oxide and alkali | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Deadly to small organisms, dangerous to organisms in short term |
| Potassium metabisulfite | Bleach | Breaks down to release sulfur oxides | Yes | Yes | Dangerous to small organisms |
| Potassium nitrate | Not required | Gives off nitrogen oxides at very high temperatures; burns in presence of organic compounds, releasing carbon oxides, nitrogen and leaving behind alkaline slag | Yes | OH YES | Excellent fertilizer, though may lead to uncontrolled algae growth if dumped in water bodies |
| Potassium nitrite | Oxidation with sodium percarbonate, oxygen, ozone to nitrate; Thermal decomposition followed by conversion to potassium carbonate or sulfate | Decomposes to form potassium oxide/hydroxide and releases nitrogen oxides fumes | Yes, but not recommended unless diluted | Do not dump | Unlike nitrates, nitrites are poor source of nitrogen for plants; Nitrites are toxic for most animals due to the formation of nitrosamines |
| Potassium perchlorate | Reduction with metallic iron under UV light in the absence of air | Oxidizes flammable materials, burning them | Do not dump | Do not dump | Hazardous to aquatic life |
| Potassium periodate | Reduction to potassium iodide; recycling | Decomposes, releasing oxygen, and iodine at high enough temperatures | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Potassium periodate may be harmful to organisms |
| Potassium permanganate | Hydrogen peroxide | Decomposes to manganese dioxide at high temperatures | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | The resulting manganese dioxide from the decomposition can be toxic if ingested by animals |
| Potassium peroxochromate | Potassium/sodium sulfite/metabisulfite/thiosulfate, ascorbic acid at acidic pH | Detonates, releasing potassium chromate, chromium(III) oxide fumes | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Cr(VI) is harmful for the environment |
| Potassium peroxymonosulfate | Alkaline solution, sodium carbonate in water | Decomposes, releasing oxygen | Recommended be neutralized first | Must be neutralized first | Dangerous to the environment in short term |
| Potassium persulfate | Pyrolysis, various reducing agents | Decomposes | Do not dump | Do not dump | Strong oxidizer, toxic for wildlife |
| Potassium rhodizonate | Not always required; can be dumped in trash or poured down the drain | Releases carbon oxides, soot and leaves behind potassium carbonate | Yes | Yes | Safe, low toxicity |
| Potassium sodium tartrate | Not always required; can be disposed in anyway | Releases combustion gasses and leaves behind sodium and potassium carbonate | Yes | Yes | Safe, low toxicity |
| Potassium sorbate | Not required; can be poured down the drain or dumped in trash | Will decompose at high temperatures to release various hydrocarbons, carbon oxides, water vapors | Yes | Yes | Large quantities may be harmful to water bodies and small animals |
| Potassium sulfate | Not required | Releases sulfur oxides at very high temperatures | Yes | OH YES | Safe, good potassium source for plants |
| Potassium sulfite | Not required, simply pour down the drain; Bleach or hydrogen peroxide can be used if desired | Decomposes to release sulfur dioxide | Yes | Yes, but not recommended | Oxidation of aqueous potassium sulfite to sulfate reduces the amount of dissolved oxygen from water bodies |
| Potassium tert-butoxide | Dissolution in large amounts of water; poured down the drain | Decomposes to release carbon oxides, leaving behind basic potash | Strongly dilute it first | Strongly dilute it first | tert-Butanol has low environmental impact |
| Propane | Incineration | Burns in the presence of oxygen | Not possible | Not possible | Contributes to the greenhouse effect |
| Propanol | Incineration | Flammable, gives off carbon dioxide and water vapor | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Dangerous for wildlife and aquatic life |
| Propionaldehyde | Incineration; Sodium hydroxide | Generates carbon oxides and water vapors; some will evaporate when heated | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Toxic and harmful to the wildlife |
| Propionic acid | Bicarbonates, carbonates, bases, oxides; neutralized solution can be safely poured down the drain | Flammable (high concentrations), no dangerous combustion products, though the smoke will have a rancid smell | Yes, but recommended to neutralize first | Neutralize first | Safe, biodegradable; avoid dumping large amounts, kills microbial lifeform |
| Propionic anhydride | Diluted solution of NaOH or KOH | Flammable, no dangerous combustion products | Yes | Yes | Biodegradable; avoid dumping large amounts, acidifies soil |
| Propylene carbonate | Incineration, first mix it with a more flammable solvent | Burns in the presence of oxygen | Yes | Yes | Low toxicity to organisms |
| Propylene glycol | Not required, though it can be mixed with a flammable solvent and burned | Generates carbon oxides and water vapor, as well as other toxic pyrolysis compounds | Yes | Yes | Little toxic effect on aquatic wildlife |
| Propylene glycol dinitrate | Photolysis; Hydrolysis with cold sodium hydroxide solution | Violent detonation | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Toxic to organisms; nitrate source for plants |
| Propylene oxide | Incineration; Hydrolysis | Burns, giving off combustion gases | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Toxic and dangerous for all wildlife |
| Prussian blue | Hydrogen peroxide, bleach | May give off carbon oxides and nitrogen gasses at high temperatures, as well as cyanide | Yes | Yes | Contact with strong acids may release hydrogen cyanide |
| Pumice | Not required; dump it in trash; mix it with concrete | Not useful | Yes (powder or fine grains only, with plenty of water) | Yes | Low toxicity to organisms |
| Purple acid | Dilution in water followed by addition of NaOH solution | Decomposes to sulfuric acid, NOx | Do not dump | Do not dump | Corrosive and toxic |
| Pyranine | Not always required | Breaks down to combustion gasses and soot | Yes | Yes | Low toxicity to organisms |
| Pyridine | Incineration in a special incinerator; Oxidation with Fenton's reagent | Gives off carbon oxides, water vapors, soot, amines and nitrogen | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Toxic to wildlife |
| Pyruvic acid | Any base, carbonate, bicarbonate, alkaline-earth oxide | Gives off carbon dioxide, water vapors and other side products | Yes | Yes | Safe, can be used as nourishment by organisms; Important role in Krebs cycle |
| Quinine | Dumped in trash, poured down the drain | Decomposes, releasing carbon oxides, water vapors, soot, pyridine derivatives | Yes | Yes | Low toxicity, though harmful for microorganisms |
| Quinoline | Incineration; Oxidation with Fenton's reagent | Gives off carbon oxides, water vapors, soot, amines and nitrogen | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Toxic to wildlife |
| Raney nickel | Dissolved in acid, followed by recovery of nickel and aluminium Taken to hazardous waste disposal centers |
Melts at 1455 °C | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Toxic to wildlife |
| RDX | Incineration, done outside; Oxidation with Fenton's reagent; Hot aqueous solution containing sodium hydroxide and sodium tetraborate | Ignites, gives off carbon oxides, nitrogen oxides, water vapors, soot | Do not dump | Do not dump | Displays moderate toxicity to aquatic life; RDX can be degraded by the fungus Phanaerocheate chrysosporium |
| Resiniferatoxin | Not required at low concentrations; high concentrations may require an oxidizer, like bleach | Generates irritant smoke, carbon dioxide, soot and water vapor | Yes | Yes | Harmful for mammals at high concentrations, otherwise relative safe, biodegradable; Occurs naturally |
| Resorcinol | Mixed with a more flammable solvent and incinerated | Generates smoke, carbon dioxide and water vapors | Yes, but dilute it first | Yes, but dilute it first | Relative safe, biodegradable; Occurs naturally in small amounts |
| Rhodamine B | Not always required, any method will do | Decomposes, releases combustion gasses, POCs and VOCs | Yes | Yes | Unknown effects, doesn't appear to be harmful |
| Ribitol | Not required | Yields carbon oxides, water vapors | Yes | Yes | Low toxicity |
| Ricinoleic acid | Incineration; Not always required | Gives off carbon dioxide and water vapors | Yes | Yes | Low toxicity to environment in small amounts |
| Rose's metal | Recycling; Wastes should be taken to hazardous metal disposal centers | Melts at 95 °C | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | While bismuth and tin don't present great hazard to environment, lead does |
| Rosocyanine | Not required | Breaks down to carbon oxides and water vapors | Yes | Yes | Low toxicity to organisms |
| Rubber | Recycling; Taken to waste disposal centers; Dumped in trash | Decomposes and ignites, releasing large amounts of black smoke, soot, VOCs | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Natural rubber has low toxicity and is biodegradable; Synthetic and vulcanized rubber do not easily break down in the environment and are harmful for nature |
| Rubidium azide | Acidified sodium nitrite, nitrous acid; recycling of rubidium | Detonates and gives off nitrogen gas | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Very toxic for wildlife |
| Rubidium chloride | Recycling; Taken to waste disposal centers | Not useful in any way | Yes, though best to recycle it | Yes | Dangerous to organisms in very high concentrations; Rubidium ions have similar toxicity to those of sodium and potassium |
| Rubidium hydroxide | Neutralization with any acid, carbon dioxide; recycling; | Not useful; highly corrosive when hot to glass, most common metals | Yes, though best to recycle it | Yes, though best to recycle it | Dangerous to wildlife in short term (highly corrosive); Rubidium ions have similar toxicity to those of sodium and potassium |
| Rubidium nitrate | Recycling; Taken to waste disposal centers | Decomposes to rubidium nitrite above ~300 °C | Yes, though best to recycle it | Yes, though best to recycle it | Dangerous to organisms in very high concentrations; Rubidium ions have similar toxicity to those of sodium and potassium |
| Rubidium nitrite | Recycling; Taken to waste disposal centers | Decomposes above 450 °C | Yes, though best to recycle it | Yes, though best to recycle it | Dangerous to organisms in very high concentrations; Rubidium ions have similar toxicity to those of sodium and potassium |
| Safrole | Incineration; Not always required | Breaks down to combustion gasses, soot | Yes | Yes | Low toxicity to wildlife, occurs naturally |
| Salicylic acid | Not always required | Breaks down to phenol; at higher temperatures gives off carbon oxides, water vapors, soot and VOCs | Yes | Yes | Low toxicity to environment, occurs naturally |
| Schweizer's reagent | Any acid | Breaks down to copper(I) oxide, gives off water vapors and ammonia | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Copper ions and ammonia are toxic to most animals, especially small ones; ammonia can be a source of nitrogen for plants |
| Scopolamine | Hydrolyzed and diluted; Can be destroyed using a strong oxidizing mixture for complete neutralization | At very high temperatures decomposes to release carbon dioxide, water vapors, nitrogen, soot | Not recommended | Dilute first | Harmful and toxic to animals; occurs naturally |
| sec-Butanol | Incineration, if no peroxides present; If peroxides are present, neutralize them with a reducing agent such as ferrous sulfate, sodium bisulfite or metabisulfite in excess, then incinerate; If the bottle has peroxides on the cap, do not open it, instead safely detonate it in a remote or special area | Will burn to release carbon dioxide and water vapors | Do not dump | Do not dump | Poses toxicity to wildlife, water bodies |
| Silicon carbide | Not required | Surface oxidation at high temperatures in oxygen; decomposes at its melting point | Not recommended, may clog the plumbing | Yes | Inert, safe for the environment |
| Silicon dioxide | Not required | At high temperatures results in melting; Can be used to indurate crystalline silica | Not recommended, may clog the plumbing | Yes | Finely divided silica is dangerous for fauna |
| Silver acetate | Photolysis; Reduction with a more reactive metal or a reducing agent like ascorbic acid; Recycling of silver | Breaks down to metallic silver, water and carbon dioxide at high temperatures | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Toxic to wildlife; silver microparticles are harmful if ingested |
| Silver acetylide | Addition of water, followed by careful addition of acid | Detonates | DO NOT DUMP! | DO NOT DUMP! | Silver particles may be harmful for wildlife |
| Silver azide | Nitrous acid, ammonium acetate, sodium dichromate | Detonates, releasing silver particles and nitrogen gas | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Very toxic for wildlife |
| Silver bromide | Photolysis; Reduction with a more reactive metal or a reducing agent like ascorbic acid; Recycling of silver | Breaks down to metallic silver and bromine at high temperatures | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Toxic to wildlife; silver microparticles are harmful if ingested |
| Silver carbonate | Photolysis; Reduction with a reducing agent like ascorbic acid or formaldehyde; Recycling of silver | Breaks down to metallic silver, oxygen and carbon dioxide above 120 °C | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Toxic to wildlife in short term; silver microparticles are harmful if ingested |
| Silver chlorate | Treatment with aq. NaOH to yield silver oxide, which is recycled; chlorate reduced to chloride with a reducing agent | Decomposes if heated gently, detonates otherwise | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Toxic to wildlife; silver microparticles are harmful if ingested; chlorates are harmful for organisms |
| Silver chloride | Photolysis; Reduction with a more reactive metal or a reducing agent like ascorbic acid; Recycling of silver | Breaks down to metallic silver and chlorine at high temperatures | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Toxic to wildlife; silver microparticles are harmful if ingested |
| Silver(I) fluoride | Reduction with a reducing agent like ascorbic acid or formaldehyde; Recycling of silver | Melts above 435 °C | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Toxic to wildlife; silver microparticles are harmful if ingested |
| Silver fulminate | Photolysis; Reduction with potassium thiocyanate or hydrochloric acid; Recycling of silver if possible | Explodes, releasing oxygen, nitrogen, carbon oxides and silver powder | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Toxic to wildlife in short term; silver microparticles are harmful if ingested |
| Silver iodide | Photolysis; Reduction with a more reactive metal or a reducing agent like ascorbic acid; Recycling of silver | Melts and breaks down to metallic silver and iodine at high temperatures | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Toxic to wildlife; silver microparticles are harmful if ingested |
| Silver nitrate | Photolysis; Reduction with a more reactive metal or a reducing agent like ascorbic acid; Recycling of silver | Breaks down to metallic silver, oxygen and nitrogen dioxide at high temperatures | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Toxic to wildlife in short term; silver microparticles are harmful if ingested |
| Silver nitrite | Photolysis; Reduction with a more reactive metal or a reducing agent like ascorbic acid; Recycling of silver | Breaks down to metallic silver, oxygen and nitrogen oxides at high temperatures | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Toxic to wildlife in short term; silver microparticles are harmful if ingested |
| Silver oxide | Reduction with a more reactive metal or a reducing agent like ascorbic acid; Recycling of silver | Breaks down to metallic silver and oxygen at high temperatures | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Toxic to wildlife; silver microparticles are harmful if ingested |
| Silver perchlorate | Reduction with a more reactive metal or a reducing agent like ascorbic acid; Recycling of silver | Breaks down to metallic silver, silver chloride, oxygen, chlorine at high temperatures | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Toxic to wildlife in short term; silver microparticles are harmful if ingested |
| Silver permanganate | Reduction in aq. solution to silver metal and manganese oxide using a reducing agent, like ascorbic acid | Decomposes to silver and manganese dioxide, may explode at high temperatures | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Manganese dioxide is toxic if ingested; silver particles may cause argyria |
| Silver sulfate | Photolysis; Reduction with a more reactive metal or a reducing agent like ascorbic acid; Recycling of silver | Breaks down to metallic silver, oxygen and/or sulfur dioxide/trioxide at high temperatures | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Toxic to wildlife; silver microparticles are harmful if ingested |
| Slag | Unnecessary | Not useful, already byproduct of high-temperature reactions | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Slag is harmful for environment, especially if heavy metals are present |
| Smokeless powder | Controlled incineration; dumping in soil | Ignites | Not recommended | Yes, but in low amounts | Somewhat good as a fertilizer, though expensive; Acts as a slow-release nitrogen source for plants |
| Soap | Poured down the drain | Decomposes and burns at high temperatures, releasing lots of soot, carbon dioxide and water vapors | Yes | Not recommended | High levels of sodium are toxic for plants; anionic surfactants are harmful for environment |
| Sodium acetate | Not always required | Results in sodium carbonate and acetone at high temperatures, then carbon dioxide and water vapors | Yes | Not recommended | High levels of sodium are toxic for plants |
| Sodium acetylsalicylate | Pyrolysis; Not always required | Gives off carbon dioxide, water vapors and soot | Yes | Not recommended | Sodium is toxic for plants |
| Sodium aluminium hydride | Neutralization with an alkali or carbonate solution; adding the compound in small bits in large volumes of water and alcohol | Decomposes to release hydrogen | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Corrosive to organisms, will increase the aluminium concentration in soil or water |
| Sodium amide | Cooled alcoholic solution with small amounts of a weak acid; addition of amide in small amounts | Ignites in air | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Extremely harmful to environment in short term |
| Sodium azide | Sodium nitrite, nitrous acid | Breaks down to sodium metal and gives off nitrogen gas | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Very toxic for wildlife |
| Sodium benzoate | Not always required | May give off benzene vapors | Yes | Yes, but not in large quantities | Too much sodium is harmful to plants; Reaction with certain compounds may release traces of benzene; otherwise safe, occurs naturally |
| Sodium bicarbonate | Any acid or base; not generally required | Converts to sodium carbonate | Yes | No | High levels of sodium are toxic for plants |
| Sodium bismuthate | Hydrolysis; neutralization with hydrogen peroxide | Breaks down to its constituent oxides, both dry and as solution | Do not dump | Do not dump | Dangerous to organisms due to its strong oxidizing properties; high amounts of bismuth are toxic |
| Sodium bisulfate | Any base, carbonate, bicarbonate | Not useful | Yes | Do not dump | Decreases the soil pH, high levels of sodium are toxic for plants |
| Sodium bisulfite | Not required; Bleach or hydrogen peroxide can be used if desired | Decomposes to release sulfur dioxide | Yes | Yes, but not recommended | High levels of sodium are toxic for plants |
| Sodium borohydride | Neutralization with an alkali or carbonate solution; Slow addition in a large volume of water or alcohol | Decomposes to release hydrogen | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Corrosive to organisms, will increase the boron concentration in soil or water |
| Sodium bromate | Reduction with thiosulfate | Decomposes to sodium bromide and oxygen | Neutralize first | No | Toxic to plants, suspected carcinogen |
| Sodium bromide | Not required | May give off bromine vapors in the presence of water at high temperatures | Yes | Yes | Bromide ions pose little toxicity to wildlife in small amounts |
| Sodium carbonate | Any acid; Not generally required | Not useful | Yes | No | High levels of sodium are toxic for plants |
| Sodium chlorate | Reduction with metabisulfite, sulfite or bisulfite; a mixture of sulfuric acid and ferric ammonium sulfate can also be used | Melts and disproportionates to sodium perchlorate and sodium chloride | Small amounts can be dumped, as household bleach already contains a small percentage of chlorates, especially if it's old; Do not dump large quantities though | No | Toxic to plants, was used as a weedkiller in the past |
| Sodium chloride | Not required | Not useful | Yes | No | High levels of sodium are toxic for plants |
| Sodium chlorite | Reduction with metabisulfite, sulfite or bisulfite | Melts and decomposes | Small amounts can be dumped; Do not dump large quantities though | Do not dump | Toxic to plants, animals, biocide |
| Sodium chlorosulfonate | Slow and careful addition to crushed ice; addition of a base to neutralize the acid | Decomposes releasing sulfur trioxide and chlorine | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Highly corrosive, toxic; excess sodium harmful for plants |
| Sodium chromate | Reducing with a reducing agent, such as sodium metabisulfite, sulfite, bisulfite, ascorbic acid at acidic pH | Breaks down, releasing oxygen | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Cr(VI) ions are carcinogenic and very toxic to organisms |
| Sodium cyanide | Oxidation with hydrogen peroxide, bleach, sodium thiosulfate to less harmful compounds, continued by oxidation to carbon dioxide and nitrogen gas | Melts and may oxidize in oxygen-rich atmosphere | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Highly toxic for all wildlife |
| Sodium cyanoborohydride | Neutralization of cyanide; Slow decomposition in a large volume of water or alcohol | Decomposes to release HCN, hydrogen | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Cyanide is toxic to organisms, will increase the boron concentration in soil or water |
| Sodium dichromate | Reducing with a reducing agent, such as sodium metabisulfite, sulfite, bisulfite, ascorbic acid at acidic pH | Breaks down, releasing oxygen | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Cr(VI) ions are carcinogenic and very toxic to organisms |
| Sodium dithionite | Dilution in water, followed by bleach or hydrogen peroxide | Breaks down to sodium sulfate, sodium sulfite, sodium thiosulfate, sulfur dioxide | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Oxidation may ignite flammable materials |
| Sodium dodecyl sulfate | Mixed with a flammable solvent and incinerated; Poured down the drain | Gives off carbon oxides, water vapors, sulfur oxides | Yes | Yes | Low environmental impact |
| Sodium ethoxide | Slow addition to a large volume of water, best with small amounts of a carboxylic acid, such as acetic or citric acid | Breaks down to release flammable gasses | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Toxic and very corrosive to most organisms; Raises pH in water bodies High levels of sodium are toxic for plants |
| Sodium ferrate | Diluted organic solutions will reduce it to its constituent oxides | Breaks down to its constituent oxides, both dry and as solution | Yes | Not recommended due to its sodium content | Dangerous to organisms due to its strong oxidizing properties |
| Sodium fluoride | Precipitate to calcium fluoride | Not useful | Do not dump | Do not dump | Dangerous to organisms, poisonous |
| Sodium formate | Pyrolysis, best done in a kiln | Decomposes to sodium oxalate, then carbonate, releasing carbon monoxide and water vapors | Yes | Not recommended due to its sodium content | High levels of sodium are toxic to plants |
| Sodium hexafluoroaluminate | Not required | Breaks down at high temperatures releasing aluminium fluoride, HF fumes | Not recommended | Yes | Relative safe to environment, harmful for insects and small animals; occurs naturally |
| Sodium hexametaphosphate | Not required; can be dumped in trash | Breaks down to sodium polyphosphates and sodium oxide, giving off phosphorus oxide fumes at high temperatures | Yes | No | High levels of sodium are toxic for plants |
| Sodium hydrazide | Slow addition of ice cold alcohol, the compound must be kept under chilled ether | Detonates in contact with air | DO NOT DUMP! | DO NOT DUMP! | Explosive, flammable, hydrazide is extremely hazardous for the environment |
| Sodium hydride | Neutralization with a concentrated alkali or carbonate solution, alcohols, long chain alcohols are preferred; best performed in an open area | Decomposes to release hydrogen at very high temperatures | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Corrosive to organisms, harmful to wildlife |
| Sodium hydroxide | Any acid, carbon dioxide | Not useful | Yes | Do not dump | Dangerous to wildlife in short term; toxic to plants due to sodium ions |
| Sodium hypochlorite | Any reducing agent, such as sodium metabisulfite, bisulfite, sulfite, thiosulfate; Hydrogen peroxide | Disproportionates to sodium chlorate and sodium chloride, giving off chlorine | Yes | DO NOT DUMP | Very toxic to organisms, especially aquatic ones; High levels of sodium are toxic for plants |
| Sodium hypophosphite | Diluted cooled hydrogen peroxide solution | Decomposes to disodium phosphate and phosphine | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Harmful to organisms, especially aquatic ones |
| Sodium iodide | Not required | May release iodine vapors in the presence of water | Yes | Yes | Low toxicity to wildlife |
| Sodium metabisulfite | Bleach | Breaks down to release sulfur oxides | Yes | No | Toxic to most fauna; High levels of sodium are toxic for plants |
| Sodium methoxide | Dissolution in a large volume of water slowly, best with small amounts of a carboxylic acid, such as acetic acid | Breaks down to release flammable gasses | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Toxic and very corrosive to most organisms; Raises pH in water bodies High levels of sodium are toxic for plants |
| Sodium methyl sulfate | Addition in large amounts of water, followed by addition of aq. alkali | Decomposes to dimethyl sulfate, DO NOT | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Corrosive and toxic |
| Sodium molybdate | Not required | Decomposes to molybdenum oxides and sodium hydroxide/oxide | Yes, but dilute first | Yes, but dilute first | Used as fertilizer |
| Sodium nitrate | Not always required; Ammonium sulfate | Not useful; may convert to sodium nitrite | Yes | No | While it is a good source of nitrogen for plants, high levels of sodium are generally undesired in soils |
| Sodium nitrite | Oxidation with sodium percarbonate, oxygen, ozone to nitrate; Thermal decomposition followed by conversion to sodium carbonate or sulfate | Decomposes to form sodium oxide/hydroxide and releases nitrogen oxides fumes | Yes, but not recommended | No | Unlike nitrates, nitrites are poor source of nitrogen for plants; High levels of sodium are generally undesired in soils; Nitrites are toxic for most animals |
| Sodium nitroprusside | Not required for small amounts, dumped in trash. Bleach can be used to neutralize the compound | Breaks down to iron and potassium nitrides/oxides, releasing cyanide, carbon monoxide | Yes, but small amounts | Yes, but small amounts | Low toxicity to organisms |
| Sodium orotate | Pyrolysis; diluted and poured down the drain | Decomposes on heating to release carbon oxides and various organic compounds | Yes, if diluted | Yes, if diluted | May pose a threat to wildlife in large amounts due to its sodium content |
| Sodium oxalate | Pyrolysis; poured down the drain | Decomposes on heating to release carbon monoxide | Yes, if diluted | Yes, if diluted | May pose a threat to wildlife in large amounts since it's a sodium salt; Occurs naturally as mineral |
| Sodium oxide | Slow addition to diluted solution of phosphoric acid | Not useful | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Corrosive and toxic for wildlife |
| Sodium perborate | A reducing agent like sodium thiosulfate or sulfite; Generally not required though | Decomposes to release water vapors and oxygen, leaving behind sodium borate | Yes | No | Hydrogen peroxide in harmful for organisms; High levels of sodium and boron are toxic for plants |
| Sodium percarbonate | Any acid; Iron(III) oxide or manganese dioxide can also be added for complete neutralization; Generally not required though | Decomposes to release water vapors and oxygen, leaving behind sodium carbonate | Yes | No | Hydrogen peroxide in harmful for organisms; High levels of sodium are toxic for plants |
| Sodium perchlorate | Reduction with metallic iron under UV light in the absence of air | Burns in a mixture with flammable materials | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Toxic to wildlife |
| Sodium permanganate | Hydrogen peroxide | Decomposes to manganese dioxide and sodium oxide/hydroxide at high temperatures | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | The resulting manganese dioxide from the decomposition can be toxic if ingested by animals |
| Sodium peroxide | Any acid and manganese dioxide | Not useful | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Corrosive and toxic for wildlife |
| Sodium persulfate | Pyrolysis, various reducing agents | Decomposes | Neutralize first | Neutralize first | Strong oxidizer, harmful for wildlife |
| Sodium pyrosulfate | Hydrolyzes in water to sulfuric acid; addition of a base to neutralize the acid | Decomposes releasing sulfur trioxide | Dilute first | Dilute first | Oxidizer, harmful; excess sodium harmful for plants |
| Sodium silicate | Any acid | Not useful | Not recommended | Only in places without plant or animal life (construction sites, quarries, etc.) | Sodium ions are toxic to plant roots |
| Sodium sulfate | Not required | Not useful | Yes | No | High levels of sodium are toxic for plants |
| Sodium sulfide | Hydrogen peroxide, bleach | May give off hydrogen sulfide in the presence of water at high temperatures | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Toxic to wildlife |
| Sodium sulfite | Not required; Bleach can be used if desired | Decomposes to release sulfur dioxide | Yes | Yes, but not recommended | High levels of sodium are toxic for plants |
| Sodium thiosulfate | Bleach | Gives off sulfur oxide gasses | Yes | Yes, but not in large quantities | Breaks down rapidly in the environment due to air and microorganisms, yielding sulfides and sulfates. |
| Sodium triacetoxyborohydride | Slow decomposition in a large volume of water or alcohol | Decomposes to release acetic acid, hydrogen | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Harmful, will increase the boron concentration in soil or water |
| Solochrome cyanine R | Not required | Decomposes | Dilute it first | Dilute it first | Unknown effects on the environemnt |
| Sorbic acid | Not needed | Melts; Decomposes releasing carbon dioxide and water vapor at high temperatures | Yes | Yes | Safe, nourishment for organisms, though harmful for bacteria |
| Sorbitol | Not required | Melts; Releases carbon dioxide and water vapor at high temperatures | Yes | Yes | Cannot be digested by most organisms, but has no dangerous effects on wildlife |
| Stainless steel | Recycling; Traces of stainless steel waste don't require chemical neutralization as SS is sufficiently inert that it can't do any significant damage to the environment. If magnetic, a magnet can be used to scoop all the pieces | Not useful; melts above 1500 °C | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Stainless steel alloys contain chromium which will slowly leak in the environment and may increase the level of chromium in the environment; Some SS alloys may have nickel which is harmful to the environment |
| Starch | Any disposal method | Decomposes to release carbon oxides, water vapors | Yes | Yes | Safe, biodegradable; Nourishment for almost all organisms |
| Steel | Recycling; Steel waste don't require chemical neutralization as it's mostly iron which has low environmental impact. Since it's magnetic, a magnet can be used to scoop all steel leftovers | Not useful; melts above 1300 °C | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Some steel alloys contain nickel which will leak in the environment which is harmful to the environment |
| Strontium carbonate | Any acid; Not required; Can be safely dumped in trash | Breaks down to strontium oxide and carbon dioxide at high temperatures; reverts as it cools | Yes | Yes | Strontium has little effect on environment |
| Strontium chloride | Not required; Any soluble carbonate or sulfate | Not useful; May release some HCl fumes if wet | Yes | Yes | Chloride ions may be harmful to plants |
| Strontium nitrate | Not required; May be converted to strontium sulfate or just dumped in soil | Breaks down to strontium oxide, oxygen and nitrogen dioxide at high temperatures | Yes | Yes | Strontium has little effect on environment |
| Strontium oxide | Lots of water; any diluted acid | Not useful | Neutralize first | Neutralize first | Will burn grass on contact; strontium has little effect on environment |
| Strontium sulfate | Not required | Decomposes to strontium oxide at very high temperatures | Yes, with lots and lots of water | Yes | Low environmental impact, occurs naturally |
| Strychnine | Destruction with a strong oxidizer, like conc. bleach; May not be required for small amounts | Decomposes releasing carbon oxides, nitrogen gas, water vapors and soot | Yes, small amounts, strongly diluted | Yes, small amounts, strongly diluted | Extremely toxic to small animals; occurs naturally |
| Styphnic acid | Careful and controlled destruction using an oxidizing solution; bubbling chlorine in a dil. acidified solution | May explode | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Extremely toxic to all organisms; metal salts are sensitive explosives |
| Styrene | Oxidation with Fenton's reagent; Incineration with afterburner incinerators | Generates dangerous combustion products | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Avoid releasing in environment, toxic, carcinogen |
| Succinic acid | Not always required, can be dumped in trash | Decomposes releasing acrid smoke, carbon oxides, water vapors and soot | Yes | Yes | Source of food for some organisms |
| Succinonitrile | Careful addition to bleach; Dissolved in a flammable solvent and incinerated | Decomposes releasing cyanide | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Degradation releases free cyanide, which is extremely toxic to organisms |
| Sucrose | Not always required | Turns into caramel if gently heated and soot at high temperatures | Yes | Yes | Source of food for many small animals |
| Sulfamic acid | Aqueous solution of NaOH, slow addition; poured down the drain after neutralization | Above 205 °C decomposes to water, sulfur trioxide, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen | Yes, though preferably neutralized first | DO NOT DUMP | Harmful and corrosive for environment |
| Sulfanilamide | Not required, small amounts can be poured down the drain or trash | Decomposes releasing carbon and sulfur oxides, nitrogen gas and soot | Yes, small amounts | Do not dump | Toxic to microbial life and harmful to aquatic bodies |
| Sulfanilic acid | Neutralization with a base; Destruction with an oxidizing agent, may not be required for small amounts | Decomposes releasing carbon and sulfur oxides, nitrogen gas and soot | Yes, small amounts | Do not dump | Harmful to organisms and aquatic bodies |
| Sulfolane | Mixed with a more flammable solvent, followed by incineration; Oxidation with Fenton's reagent if it has too much water | Results in carbon oxides, water vapors and sulfur dioxide | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Environmental effects unclear |
| Sulfur dichloride | Any base, carbonate, bicarbonate, best as aqueous solution/suspension | Boils off | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Extremely corrosive and toxic to all organisms |
| Sulfur dioxide | Any base, bleach (solution); hydrogen sulfide, ammonia (gaseous) | Not useful | Not possible (gas) | Not possible (gas) | Contributes to acid rain |
| Sulfur trioxide | Dry calcium carbonate; ammonia | Not useful | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Deadly and extremely corrosive to all life; contact with moist air produces sulfuric acid mist; contributes to acid rain |
| Sulfur hexafluoride | Not required | May lead to sulfur dioxides and fluorine at very high temperatures | Not possible | Yes | Strong greenhouse effect |
| Sulfuric acid | Any base, carbonate, bicarbonate; | Not useful | Only if it's followed by large amounts of water; Though best to neutralize it first | DO NOT DUMP | Corrosive and deadly to wildlife; Lowers soil pH; Corrosive to rocks |
| Sulfuryl chloride | Any base, carbonate, bicarbonate; | Not useful | Neutralize it first | Neutralize it first | Corrosive and deadly to all wildlife; Lowers soil pH; Corrosive to rocks, soil |
| Tagatose | Not required; can be disposed in any way | Will decompose to caramel and carbon if heated too long | Yes | Yes | Non-toxic to environment, nourishment for many organisms |
| Tannerite | VERY controlled incineration | Burns, almost never detonates | DO NOT DUMP! | DO NOT DUMP! | While ammonium nitrate is a good nitrogen source for plants, the aluminium and other impurities present are generally harmful for wildlife |
| Tartaric acid | Not required; can be disposed in anyway | Decomposes, releasing combustion gasses, carbon oxides, water vapors | Yes | Yes | Safe, low toxicity; occurs naturally in fruits in large concentrations |
| Tartrazine | Strong dilution in lots of water an poured down the drain; Oxidation with Fenton's reagent, chromic acid | Generates carbon oxides, water vapor, soot and nitrogen vapors | Strong dilution | Strong dilution | Not suspected to be bioaccumulative |
| TATB | Incineration in a kiln; Oxidation with Fenton's reagent | Burns and decomposes to release combustion gases and soot | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Toxic to the environment, though limited data is available |
| Terbium(III) oxide | Unnecessary, simply dump in trash | Releases absorbed water or carbon dioxide | Unnecessary | Yes | Effects unknown, may stimulate plant growth |
| Terbium acetate | No required, simply dump in trash or recycle | Breaks down at high temperatures to release carbon oxides | Yes | Yes | Effects unknown |
| Terbium sulfate | No required, simply dump in trash | Breaks down at high temperatures to release sulfur oxides | Yes | Yes | Effects unknown |
| tert-Amyl alcohol | Incineration, oxidation with Fenton's reagent, strongly diluted and poured down the drain | Will burn to release carbon dioxide and water vapors | Dilute first | Dilute first | Poses moderate toxicity to wildlife, water bodies |
| tert-Butanol | Incineration, oxidation with Fenton's reagent, strongly diluted and poured down the drain | Will burn to release carbon dioxide and water vapors | Dilute first | Dilute first | Poses moderate toxicity to wildlife, water bodies |
| tert-Butyl chloride | Incineration, oxidation with Fenton's reagent; hydrolysis, followed by dilution, then poured down the drain | Will burn to release carbon dioxide, water vapors and HCl fumes | Dilute to hydrolyze first | Dilute to hydrolyze first | Poses moderate toxicity to wildlife, water bodies |
| Tetraamine copper(II) complex | Pyrolysis; any acid | Gives off water vapors and ammonia, leaving copper oxide behind | Yes, unless there's copper or brass plumbing | No | Copper ions pose toxicity to most organisms |
| Tetraaminecopper(II) persulphate | Controlled detonation; Any acid | Detonation, releasing ammonia, sulfur dioxide copper oxide | Do not dump | Do not dump | Copper ions are toxic to small animals |
| Tetrabutyltin | Addition of diluted mineral acid; Addition of aq. NaOH to hydrolyze butyl derivates to butanol; Separation of compounds, incineration of butanol; Tin waste can be dumped in trash or taken to disposal centers | Decomposes above 265 °C, may ignite in open air above 107 °C in the presence of a flame | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Tin compounds are known to be harmful |
| Tetrachlorocupric acid | Any base, carbonate, bicarbonate | Gives off hydrochloric acid fumes, leaving copper oxide behind | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Corrosive and toxic for wildlife |
| Tetrahydrofuran | Incineration (no peroxides); Adding excess ferrous sulfate, sodium bisulfite or metabisulfite to neutralize the peroxides, followed by incineration; If the bottle has peroxides on the cap, do not open it, instead safely detonate it in a remote or special area | Burns, giving off combustion gasses | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Toxic and dangerous for wildlife |
| Tetralin | Mixed with a more flammable solvent and incinerated | Ignites at high temperatures and generates carbon oxides, water vapors, carbon monoxide, soot, VOCs | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Harmful to wildlife and water bodies |
| Tetranitroglycoluril | Incineration, done outside | Ignites, gives off carbon oxides, nitrogen oxides, water vapors, soot | Do not dump | Do not dump | Little information about its environmental impact |
| Tetryl | Incineration, done outside; Controlled oxidation with Fenton's reagent | Ignites, gives off carbon oxides, nitrogen oxides, water vapors, soot | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Displays moderate toxicity to aquatic life |
| Thioglycolic acid | Hydrogen peroxide, bleach; poured down the drain | Decomposes to release sulfur dioxide and carbon dioxide | Neutralize it with bleach or hydrogen peroxide first | Not recommended | Harmful to organisms due to its ability to weaken S-S bonds in various tissues |
| Thionyl chloride | Any base, carbonate, bicarbonate; | Not useful; Decomposes to release sulfur dioxide and chlorine | NO! Neutralize it first! | NO! Neutralize it first! | Corrosive and deadly to all wildlife; Lowers soil pH; Corrosive to rocks, soil |
| Thiophene | Oxidation with an oxidizing solution, such as Fenton's reagent, piranha solution or chromic acid | Generates carbon oxides, water vapor, sulfur oxides, soot, sulfur | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Harmful to wildlife |
| Thiourea | Oxidation with an oxidizing solution, such as Fenton's reagent, piranha solution or chromic acid | Generates carbon oxides, water vapor, sulfur oxides, soot and nitrogen | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Harmful to wildlife |
| Thiourea dioxide | Pyrolysis, preferably in an oxidizing atmosphere; strong dilution and poured down the drain | Generates carbon oxides, sulfur oxides, water vapors and nitrogen | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Harmful to wildlife |
| Threitol | Not required | Yields carbon oxides, water vapors | Yes | Yes | Low toxicity to environment |
| Thymol blue | Destroyed with an oxidizing mixture; Diluted and poured down the drain | Decomposes giving off carbon oxides, sulfur oxides, nitrogen, water, soot, VOCs | Yes, but not recommended | Yes, but not recommended | May be harmful to microorganisms, fauna and water bodies |
| Tin(II) chloride | Excess base, carbonate, bicarbonate; Should be taken to waste disposal centers | Gives off hydrochloric acid fumes in the presence of moisture | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Corrosive and toxic to wildlife |
| Tin(IV) chloride | Any base, carbonate, bicarbonate; Should be taken to waste disposal centers | Gives off hydrochloric acid fumes in moist air | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Corrosive and toxic to wildlife |
| Titan yellow | Destroyed with an oxidizing mixture; Diluted and poured down the drain | Decomposes giving off carbon oxides, sulfur oxides, nitrogen, water, soot, VOCs | Yes, but not recommended | Yes, but not recommended | May be harmful to microorganisms, fauna and water bodies |
| Titanium dioxide | Not required; Can be dumped in trash | Not useful; Fuses in the presence of alkaline and alkaline-earth oxides and hydroxides to titanates | Yes, but not recommended | Yes, but not recommended | May lead to staining water bodies and soil in a white color |
| Titanium nitrate | Dissolving it in water, followed by precipitation of titanium dioxide by adding an alkali | Decomposes releasing nitrogen dioxide | Not recommended | Not recommended | Potentially harmful; Nitrates may serve as nourishment for plants; Titanium compounds show moderate toxicity |
| Titanium nitride | Not required; Can be dumped in trash | Not useful; May react with alkaline and alkaline-earth oxides and hydroxides to titanates | Yes, but not recommended | Yes, but not recommended | May lead to staining, irritant, abrasive |
| Titanium(IV) chloride | CAREFUL addition to a diluted aqueous alkaline solution | Not useful; boils and hydrolyzes | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Corrosive and harmful to all organisms |
| Toluene | Oxidation with Fenton's reagent; Incineration, best done with an afterburner | Flammable, burns in air to release carbon oxides, water vapors, soot, VOCs | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Toxic to wildlife and very dangerous to aquatic life, as well as soil |
| Triaminoguanidine | Oxidation with Fenton's reagent or piranha solution | Generates carbon oxides, water vapor, soot and nitrogen vapors | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Considered to be harmful, but little is known about its toxicity |
| Trichloroacetic acid | Neutralization and dehalogenation with excess sodium hydroxide; Reduction with metallic powders to acetic acid | Evaporates and burns at high temperatures, releasing toxic fumes | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Toxic and corrosive to most wildlife |
| Trichloroethylene | Sodium hydroxide; Oxidation with Fenton's reagent | Not useful | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Toxic to wildlife |
| Trichloroisocyanuric acid | Sodium thiosulfate, sulfite, bisulfite, metabisulfite | Breaks down to release chlorine | Yes | DO NOT DUMP | Toxic to wildlife |
| Triethanolamine | Mixed with a more flammable solvent and incinerated | Yields carbon oxides, water vapor at high temperatures | Strongly diluted | Not recommended | Toxic to organisms, dangerous to aquatic and soil life |
| Triethyl borate | Incineration; Hydrolysis with water | Burns in air | Not recommended | Not recommended | Effects unknown to environment |
| Triethyl citrate | Diluted with another solvent, followed by incineration | Burns in air, releasing carbon dioxide, water vapors, soot and acrid fumes | Yes, but not recommended | Yes, but not recommended | Low toxicity to organisms, may harm water bodies |
| Triethylamine | Diluted with another solvent, followed by incineration; Neutralization with an acid and destroyed via oxidation | Burns in air | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Toxic to most lifeforms, dangerous to water bodies |
| Trifluoroacetic acid | Bicarbonates, carbonates, bases, oxides | Boils off | Neutralize first | DO NOT DUMP | Corrosive and poisonous to organisms; does not readily degrade in environment, but does not bioaccumulate |
| Trimethyl borate | Incineration; Hydrolysis with water | Burns in air | Not recommended | Not recommended | Effects unknown to environment |
| Trimethyl phosphate | Hydrolysis with sodium hydroxide | Decomposes and may ignite at high temperatures, releasing carbon and phopshorus oxides | Not recommended | Not recommended | Effects unknown to environment |
| Trimethylamine | Incineration | Burns in air, giving off carbon dioxide, nitrogen and water vapors | Not recommended | Not recommended | Amines can be source of nitrogen for plants, but may be harmful to fauna and water bodies |
| Trimethylphosphine | Incineration | Burns in air releasing carbon and phosphorus oxides | Not recommended | Not recommended | Extremely toxic to organisms; Other environmental effects unknown |
| Trinitroaniline | Strong dilution, followed by addition of dil. NaOH; Oxidation with Fenton's reagent | Burns and decomposes to release combustion gasses and soot, may explode | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Extremely toxic to the environment, especially for animals |
| Trinitrophloroglucinol | Careful and controlled destruction using an oxidizing solution | May explode | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Extremely toxic to all organisms |
| Trinitrotoluene | Oxidation with Fenton's reagent | Burns and decomposes to release combustion gasses and soot | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Extremely toxic to the environment, especially for animals |
| Triphenylmethanol | Dissolved in a more flammable solvent and incinerated | Flammable, gives off carbon dioxide, PAHs, soot and water vapors | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Potentially harmful for wildlife and aquatic life in large concentrations |
| Triphenylphosphine | Incineration | Burns in air releasing carbon and phosphorus oxides | Not recommended | Not recommended | Effects unknown to environment |
| Tris(ethylenediamine)nickel perchlorate | Safe detonation; Residual perchlorates can be destroyed by adding metallic iron under UV light, in the absence of air. | Detonates | Do not dump | Do not dump | Nickel and perchlorates are toxic to environment |
| Tungsten carbide | Not required; can be dumped in trash or taken to waste disposal centers | Not useful (refractory) | DO NOT DUMP | Yes (if pure); No (if it contains cobalt) | Toxic to the environment if it contains cobalt |
| Urea | Not required | Generates carbon oxides, nitrogen fumes; May corrode metal container, if done in one | Yes | OH YES | May cause uncontrolled algae growth in water bodies |
| Urea nitrate | Cooled basic solution (NaOH, KOH, Ca(OH)2) | Decomposes when burned; May explode if heated at high temperatures | Yes | OH YES! | Safe, good fertilizer; May cause uncontrolled algae growth in water bodies |
| Urea peroxide | Water, iron(III) oxide, manganese dioxide | Decomposes when heated to high temperatures, releasing water vapor | Yes | Yes, though not recommended in large quantities | Irritant and corrosive to large organisms, kills small organisms |
| Vanadium pentoxide | Not required; should be taken to disposal facilities | Not useful; Turns into oxides of lower states at high temperatures | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Vanadium ions pose toxicity for wildlife |
| Violuric acid | Not required; and oxidizing mixture may be used to oxidize it completely if desired | Decomposes above 250 °C to release carbon dioxide, water vapors and soot | Dilute first | Dilute first | There is little data available for its environmental effects, doesn't appear to be toxic |
| Warfarin | Strong dilution in lots of water an poured down the drain; Oxidation with Fenton's reagent, chromic acid | Generates carbon oxides, water vapor, soot and nitrogen vapors | Strong dilution | Strong dilution | Lethal to small animals and toxic to larger ones in small amounts; Not suspected to be bioaccumulative |
| Water | Not required | Leads to steam | YES | YES | It's...water |
| Whistle mix | Dissolution in water; Reduction with sodium thiosulfate, sulfite, metabisulfite | Detonates | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Potassium chlorate is a potent herbicide |
| Wood | Incineration; Dumping in trash | Will burn if ignited, releasing carbon oxides, water vapors and soot | Do not dump | Do not dump uncomposted | Uncomposted wood is harmful for environment, especially sawdust |
| Wood's metal | Recycling; Wastes should be taken to hazardous metal disposal centers | Melts at 70 °C and gives off harmful cadmium fumes at high temperatures | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | While bismuth and tin don't present great hazard to environment, lead and cadmium do |
| Xanthan gum | Not required | Pyrolysis gives foul smelling compounds | Yes | Yes | Safe, biodegradable; nourishment for many organisms |
| Xanthatin | Not required | Burns at high temperatures, releasing carbon dioxide, water and soot | Yes, but dilute first | Yes, but dilute first | Safe, biodegradable |
| Xylene | Oxidation with Fenton's reagent; Incineration, best with an afterburner | Burns in air, to release combustion gasses, soot and VOCs | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Toxic to wildlife and hazardous to water bodies |
| Xylitol | Not required | Melts when heated; not useful | Yes | Yes | Cannot be digested by most lifeforms, otherwise little to no toxicity to most organisms; It is however known to be fatal to dogs and some birds |
| Xylitol pentanitrate | Cooled aqueous solution of excess sodium hydroxide | Detonates at temperatures > 160 °C | DO NOT DUMP | In small amounts | Dangerous to animals due to its vasodilator effects; harmless to plants, nitrogen source for plant life |
| Ytterbium(III) oxide | Unnecessary, simply dump in trash; recycle | Releases absorbed water or carbon dioxide | Do not dump | Do not dump | Effects unknown, may be toxic |
| Yttrium(III) oxide | Unnecessary, simply dump in trash; recycle | Releases absorbed water or carbon dioxide | Do not dump | Do not dump | Effects unknown, may be toxic |
| Zamak | Recycling; Traces of zamak waste can be dissolved with nitric acid, followed by neutralization of leftover acid, recovering copper and zinc via electrowinning | Not useful; melts above 380 °C and may fume | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Low quality zamak may contain lead or cadmium which are harmful to the environment |
| Zeolite | Not required | Calcinates at high temperatures | Yes, but not recommended | Yes | Unless contaminated with hazardous compounds, it poses little danger to environment |
| Zinc acetate | Not required | Breaks down to zinc oxide, carbon oxides, water, acetone, acetic anhydride (?) at high temperatures | Yes | Yes | Unless contaminated, good source of zinc for plants, though a bit too acidic; may lower soil pH |
| Zinc carbonate | Not required | Breaks down to zinc oxide and carbon oxide at high temperatures | Yes | Yes | Unless contaminated, good source of zinc for plants, though a bit too alkaline |
| Zinc chloride | Any base, carbonate, bicarbonate | Gives off hydrochloric acid fumes if moist | Neutralize first | Neutralize first | Chlorides are dangerous for chloride-sensitive plants in large quantities |
| Zinc chromate | Reducing with a reducing agent, such as sodium metabisulfite, sulfite, bisulfite, ascorbic acid | Not very useful | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Cr(VI) is toxic for wildlife |
| Zinc nitrate | Sodium, potassium or ammonium carbonate/bicarbonate to precipitate zinc carbonate which is inert; recovery of alkali nitrates, dilution of zinc carbonate and poured down the drain | Decomposes to zinc oxide, releasing nitrogen dioxide and oxigen | Yes, but not recommended | Dilute it strongly | May pose a threat to aquatic life in large quantities; may cause unwanted algal bloom; source of zinc and nitrogen to plants |
| Zinc oxide | Not required; Weak acids can be used to dissolve zinc oxide stains to soluble zinc compounds | Turns the oxide yellow at high temperatures; process is reversible | Not recommended | Yes, but not recommended | May pose a threat to aquatic life in large quantities |
| Zinc perchlorate | Precipitation with a soluble hydroxide; Reduction of perchlorate to chloride | Gives off chlorine oxide fumes, leaving behind zinc oxide slag; may decompose violently if organic contaminant present | DO NOT DUMP! | DO NOT DUMP! | Perchlorates are toxic to wildlife |
| Zinc peroxide | Hydrolysis with water; Any acid | May explode at over 212 °C | Best to neutralize it first | No | Peroxides are deadly to small animals |
| Zinc phosphate | Not required | Not useful | No | Yes | Source of zinc and phosphorus for wildlife |
| Zinc sulfate | Not always required; Zinc metal can be recovered through electrowinning and the diluted sulfuric acid neutralized with a base | Not useful | Yes | Yes | Unless contaminated, is a good source of zinc for plants |
| Zinc sulfide | Hydrogen peroxide | May give off hydrogen sulfide in the presence of water at high temperatures | DO NOT DUMP | DO NOT DUMP | Toxic to wildlife |
| Zingiberene | Not required | Burns at high temperatures, releasing carbon dioxide, water and soot | Yes, but dilute first | Yes, but dilute first | Safe, biodegradable |
| Zirconium nitrate | Dissolving it in water, followed by precipitation of zirconium dioxide by adding an alkali | Decomposes releasing nitrogen dioxide | Not recommended | Not recommended | Potentially harmful; Nitrates may serve as nourishment for plants; Zirconium displays moderate toxicity |
| Zirconyl chloride | Precipitate to zirconium oxide; recycle | Decomposes releasing HCl and water vapors | Do not dump | Do not dump | Unknown effects |
References
- ↑ http://woelen.homescience.net/science/chem/exps/rules.html
- ↑ http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiles/tp187-c5.pdf
- ↑ http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2FBF02318626
- ↑ http://pubs.rsc.org/en/Content/ArticleLanding/2007/EM/b709571f#!divAbstract
- ↑ http://www.google.com/patents/US2519284
- ↑ Chemical Technology and Emission Control, 2012, M.B. Hocking, p. 216
- ↑ http://www.drugfuture.com/chemdata/cuprous-sulfite.html
- ↑ http://www.inchem.org/documents/sids/sids/115775.pdf
- ↑ http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/es7029703?journalCode=esthag
