Imagine you're working with your team to do some cleaning in your facility, and you come across an old box of cake glue that you forgot existed. It's been sitting there for well over a year. You know this old stuff must be expired. Now you're wondering how to get rid of it.
In a perfect world, you would use every last pound of glue. Realistically, you may find yourself in a situation where you must dispose of old glue. While storage can extend the lifespan of adhesives, there comes a time when you may have to throw them away. Here is how you can dispose of glue the right way.
Keep gelatin glue in a cool and dry area of your manufacturing facility. It’s always a good idea to keep the cartons sealed with the plastic wrap they arrive in securely around the glue cakes until ready to use. This keeps the glue from drying out and keeps it fresh.
When you’re ready to use the gelatin glue, remove it from storage before use to allow it to reach room temperature. This helps the gelatin glue melt quickly and efficiently into the glue pot without drastically changing the temperature of the glue already dissolved in the pot.
Like most natural products, gelatin glue has an expiration date. Its shelf life is about one year, but it can last longer if stored correctly. Because this is an all-natural product, it can be disposed of in the garbage or composted. We recommend recycling the cardboard packaging where the gelatin arrives to reduce waste.
To the best of our ability, this product does not meet the definition of hazardous waste under US EPA Hazardous Waste Regulations 40 CFR 261. Disposal via an approved facility is recommended. Consult state, local, or provincial authorities for more restrictive requirements in your area.
Water-based liquid glues should be protected from extreme temperatures and from freezing. The adhesive should not be spilled, discharged, or flushed into sewers or public waterways. Liquid glues contain low-level organic volatile compounds (VOC), which could accumulate in the unvented headspace of drums or bulk storage vessels. Keep the pails, drums, or totes sealed shut to prevent the glue from drying or mold build-up.
To the best of our ability, this product does not meet the definition of hazardous waste under US EPA Hazardous Waste Regulations 40 CFR 261. Disposal via an approved facility or landfill in your area is recommended. Consult state, local, or provincial authorities for more restrictive requirements.
Hot melt adhesive should be kept in a cool, dry place. Most holt metals have a shelf life of one year but can last a lot longer if stored correctly.
To the best of our knowledge, this product does not meet the definition of hazardous waste under the U.S. EPA Hazardous Waste Regulations 40 CFR 261. Dispose of in an approved landfill. Consult your state, local, or provincial authorities and your local waste vendor for more restrictive requirements.
As stated above, we recommend recycling the packaging if your glue comes in a cardboard container. If your glue arrives in a poly drum or tote from LD Davis, you can contact a local recycling or garbage plant to dispose of the containers yourself. All metal drums must be disposed of according to your local ordinance.
Find more information about the shelf life and storage of adhesives here. If you have questions about SDS information or have an emergency, the Transport Emergency Phone Number (CHEMTREC) is 1-800-424-9300. For any additional questions, please get in touch with us, and we will guide you on how best to dispose of your old industrial adhesive.