On 6/27/07, timbomcnuckle <
jaydag71@...> wrote:
> "> How do you deal with excess etchant?
>
> Pour it down the lavatory."
>
> >>>>WHAT??!! That has got to be the stupidest thing I have heard of
> late!! DISREGARD that part at least!! bottle (not re-bottle) the
> leftovers and PAY for its disposal like everyone else has to do!! no
> wonder things are so polluted with this kind of thought
> process.....not to mention you will be calling over the plumber sooner
> than later, ha ha, good on you! geez.....
You are replying to the wrong thread (the one you need is "Etching
Tips and Tricks").
Have you ever heard of "the solution to pullution is dilution"? If the
amounts are small it is fine to put spent etchant down the drain. Even
the proper authorities have suggested that route for small quantities.
In many places you can hand it in to collection facilities for free
though (again household quantities).
Things are _NOT_ as polluted as they are because of hobby quantities
of etchant. You might cause more pollution simply by taking it to the
collection point by car and the subsequent handling/processing from
there on.
It totally depends on the quantity if the little bit of copper is a
problem, and of course also on the size of the water treatment plant
because that determines how diluted it gets. You shouldn't put it in a
small personal treatment system that uses bacteria because even the
small quantity might kill them off.
ST