Australia's Science Forum

Hi,
Can anyone tell me how to dispose of Esters? We have conflicting information - one says down sink to sewer and another says soak with perlite or paper. Please help.
thanks,
carol58a.

I always put them in the hydrocarbon waste bottle.I know purists will say that is not strickly correct however given their preparation it is better then the sink.

Not the sink!
I always put it in an organic waste, but if it is only smal amount, you can absorb it on perlite
Lada

Our chemistry teacher always requests the organic waste bottle and she takes care of the waste and returns the bottle.

Thankyou all so much. We will use an organic waste bottle, as it was what we were thinking. We thought down the sink was wrong - would you believe that came from the DET website. It is nice to have our thoughts confirmed.

Thanks again for you help.
Carol

Ethers are different chemicals to esters. Eg of an ester is nail polish removal. I thought ethers are ban from schools.
lada

well done Lada, so glad you picked that up, thank you

Sorry folks I have deleted that post.

OK got it right this time.

taken from Appendix E CSIS Disposal of Waste Chemicals page 19

23 Hydrocarbons, alcohols, ketomes, esters, Heteracyclics

Warning
Flammable, can be toxic by inhalation

Wear
Nitrile gloves, safety glasses and laboratory coat. Work in a well ventilated area.

CLean up and disposal

* For small liquid quantities (<50ml.)
Absorb onto paper towel and allow to evaporate in a fume cupbaord. Once the chemical has evaporated the paper towel should be disposed to garbage.

* For larger liquid quantities (>50ml.)
Absorb spill onto vermiculite, perlite or cat litter. Mix scoop into a container, seal and store until collection by licensed waste contractor.

* Solid, Sweep onto paper and place in garbage.

Containers of hydrocarbon, alcohol, ketone, esters, and heterocyclics should be stored safely until collection by a licensed waste contractor. almost the same as 20 Ethers.

Yep, you are right, very similar to ethers, as far as clean up and disposal,
Have a nice day, Lada