Proper disposal of used reagent in the field

[satya]

Hello lovely BL'ers.

Suppose one were to bring reagent kits (in dropper bottles) to use while in the field, such as at a festival or a burn. Assume there is no running water, and that everything brought in must be carried out. What is the proper, most environmentally-friendly way of disposing of the waste?

I have attempted to find an answer on sites such as DS, Bunk Police, and EZTest, to no avail, nor is google providing much help in this case.

Your input is much appreciated.

 

[Transform]

Neutralisation with some bicarbonate of soda in water will be plenty sufficient - the amounts used are too miniscule to have an effect on the surroundings.

 

[satya]

Thank you for your input, Transform.

Is the solution something that could be made and stored until it's needed?

And would you consider disposing of the waste in a grey water container as a viable temporary solution, assuming the grey water is properly disposed of? I suppose one of my concerns is causing a chemical reaction by dumping used reagents together, or what might happen should the container with the used reagent be knocked over.

 

[Transform]

Yes, you could store a bicarb solution if you wanted.

If you have diluted the droplets then there will be no chance of any unexpected reaction - you have yourself an unreactive (but still not ingestible) watery solution.

Grey water would be a great way to dilute and dispose of the droplets.

 

[satya]

Thank you so much for your input, Transform. It's very helpful and much appreciated.

 

[Jabberwocky]

Yes, you could store a bicarb solution if you wanted.

If you have diluted the droplets then there will be no chance of any unexpected reaction - you have yourself an unreactive (but still not ingestible) watery solution.

Grey water would be a great way to dilute and dispose of the droplets.

This ^^^^^

baking soda and water -- when reacted with the test residue, will yield sodium sulfate, carbon dioxide, and either vanadium, molybdenum, selenium, or formalin depending on mandelin, froehde, mecke or marquis

neutralize the test residue into a bucket with the soda water -- and drum-roll


mix it into the ground with a stick -- or alternatively into the ash residue of a campfire



-- it won't change the mineral profile of the soil significantly considering the amount of reagent used

any psychoactives will quickly bio-degrade in the environment

formalin is ubiquitous in the environment as is sodium sulfate (a decidedly benign compound -- very non-reactive and actually pH of 7 in water) the other elements are actually trace minerals found in soil

A campfire will leave a more toxic footprint than your test residue ( and generate more formaldehyde as well )