Chlorine tablets are one of the best ways to ensure that your pool is kept clean and safe for your friends and family, but they must be disposed of properly. Since chlorine tablets can clean out bacteria within your pool, it is no shock that they are highly corrosive and dangerous for people and the environment if consumed.
Chlorine tablets should be disposed of in a Household Hazardous Waste facility or program. Some local pool stores will also accept chlorine tablets for disposal.
Chlorine tablets and other pool materials should be disposed of through a Household Hazardous Waste program or facility. However, there is more to the story than this. Read on to learn more about how to dispose of chlorine tablets and why you should be careful.
Let’s dive right in (pun intended)!
How to Dispose of Chlorine Tablets
As we mentioned, you must dispose of chlorine tablets at a Household Hazardous Waste program or facility. These facilities are set up to eliminate the chemical and do the rest for you.
Even though it may seem out of your way to dispose of your chlorine tablets at a facility, it is no more complicated than dropping off bulkier items at the dump.
There are also some other ways that you can dispose of chlorine tablets. Many local pool stores will take your junk chlorine tablets for you. Since they have more access to proper disposal, they have no problem doing this for you. And if they do, they will probably give you sound advice on what you should do instead.
You can also give your old chlorine tablets to your local community pool. Like a pool store, they must always eliminate old chlorine tablets. They will likely have no issue taking your extra chlorine tablets and disposing of them.
How Long Do Chlorine Tablets Last?
One of the best parts of chlorine tablets is that they last a long time. If you store them correctly, they should last anywhere from three to five years. This means you shouldn’t worry about throwing out chlorine tablets regularly.
Whether you take your chlorine tablets to a facility or a local community pool, make sure that you take them to a place that will dispose of them properly.
If you take it to a stool or pool, ensure they understand that the tablets are expired and shouldn’t be used. In most cases, they wouldn’t try to use them anyway but reiterate them to be safe.
Which Option is Best?
Even though you can take chlorine tablets to a local pool store or pool, we recommend taking them to a Household Hazardous Waste facility or program. These facilities are specifically designed for this purpose. Your tax dollars are going to it, after all. You might as well get your money’s worth.
You can also rest assured that the tablets will be disposed of properly. Even though most stores and pools will know what to do with these tablets, you can’t guarantee that they dispose of them properly. For this reason, take a few extra minutes to find a facility near you. It really won’t take up that much time or effort.
How Do I Store My Chlorine Tablets?
Since chlorine tablets can be dangerous, you need to make sure you store them properly. Store them in a place with a consistent temperature that is between 40 and 85 degrees. It is best to keep these items in sealed buckets with lids that go on tight so that no animal can get into the container.
How to Safely Transport Chlorine Tablets for Disposal
To safely transport chlorine tablets for disposal, follow these steps:
- Handle the tablets with care. Chlorine tablets are hazardous chemicals and should be treated with caution. Wear gloves and eye protection when handling the tablets to protect yourself from any potential chemical reactions or spills.
- Store the tablets in a secure container. Chlorine tablets should be placed in a sturdy, leak-proof container with a tight-fitting lid. This will prevent the tablets from spilling or breaking during transport.
- Label the container. Clearly label the container with “chlorine tablets” and any relevant hazard warnings. This will ensure that anyone handling the container knows its contents and takes appropriate precautions.
- Transport the tablets in a secure vehicle. The container with the tablets should be transported in a secure vehicle with ample ventilation. Avoid placing the container in the trunk or anywhere it could be subjected to extreme temperatures or rough handling.
- Follow all local and national regulations. Be sure to follow all local and national regulations regarding the transportation and disposal of hazardous materials. This may include obtaining proper permits and following specific routes and procedures.
By following these steps, you can safely transport chlorine tablets for disposal and ensure the safety of yourself and others.
Why Chlorine Tablets Need Special Disposal
You might wonder why you must go to so much length to dispose of chlorine tablets. After all, you do swim in them. How dangerous can they be? Simply put, they can be extremely dangerous for humans and the environment.
If chlorine tablets are not disposed of correctly, they can cause skin irritations, release poisonous gas, and even cause an explosion or fire within the garbage truck.
If the chlorine tablets make it to a landfill or dump area without issues, they can still wreak havoc on the environment. Chlorine tablets can contaminate soil and groundwater, harming humans and other species.
Hence, you need to dispose of your chlorine tablets carefully. Even though it may take a few extra minutes to stop by a local pool or a hazardous waste facility, it is worth it since it could save a person or creature’s life.
How Do I Dispose of Other Pool Chemicals?
Generally speaking, you should dispose of all pool chemicals in the same way you do chlorine tablets. All pool chemicals are hazardous to the environment. The best strategy is to contact your Household Hazardous Waste facility and dispose of them there.
Conclusion
Pools are enjoyable and exciting to play with your friends and loved ones, but they require a lot of harmful chemicals like chlorine tablets for cleaning. You will need to dispose of chlorine tablets and other pool chemicals safely.
We recommend taking your chlorine tablets to a Household Hazardous Waste facility or program. You could also consider taking them to a local pool store or pool.
No matter what, do not place your chlorine tablets in your regular garbage or throw them out. This can cause severe harm and hazards to you, other humans, and other creatures in your area. So long as you dispose of them properly, you should have no problem with your chlorine tablets and pool fun.
