How to Dispose of Old Pool Chemicals
Proper disposal of old pool chemicals is very important for the environment. Pool chemicals are highly corrosive and reactive and can cause health hazards and even fires.
Don’t jump off the deep end by dumping your pool chemicals in your household garbage or recycling! Your pool needs to be sanitized for your friends and family, but pool chemicals can be dangerous for people and the environment. Common pool chemicals include chlorine, muriatic acid, and sulfuric acid. These acids and stabilizers balance the water to keep it safe for your enjoyment, but they are highly corrosive and reactive and should not be placed into your household garbage or recycling containers.
When not properly disposed of, pool chemicals are dangerous. They can cause skin irritation to your neighborhood garbage collector, release poisonous gases, and even create a chemical reaction explosion or fires in garbage trucks. They also contaminate the soil and groundwater when dumped out at home or put into a landfill.
Thankfully, your pool chemicals should last a long time! With proper storage, most are effective between 3 to 5 years, but there are many exceptions to this rule. In general, liquids you’ve purchased, such as Liquid Chlorine have a shorter shelf life, but solids and liquid acids last longer.
Store your pool supplies in dry spaces with consistent temperatures between 40 and 85 degrees in sealed buckets with tight lids. Only purchase enough pool chemicals for what you need and be sure to keep them safe! With these tips, together we can limit our pool chemical waste output for years to come.
The best way to dispose of these materials and their containers is through Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) programs or facilities. The Illinois EPA hosts two household hazardous waste collection days per year. For their schedule, visit the EPA website. Check with your local village to see if it offers hazardous waste collection days throughout the year. With these easy disposal tips, your summer pool fun will be safe and relaxing! For more information about protecting your planet for future generations, check out our Basic Recycling is Better Recycling guide.
Additional ways to dispose of your unwanted pool chemicals
Local Pool Store
The majority of pool supply stores will accept pool chemicals and properly discard them.
Local Community Pool
Your local community pool will sometimes accept the old pool chemicals and use them themselves.
Your Neighbors
Do your neighbors have a pool? Ask if they want your leftover chemicals, and save them a trip to the store!
