Water Quality District - Hazardous Waste
Adhesives
What Makes Them Hazardous?
Glues, rubber cement, epoxy, and other adhesives may contain a solvent which, when applied, evaporates out leaving the solid adhesive portion behind. Such solvents may be extremely dangerous and are flammable. Some adhesives are skin and lung irritants and allergy-sensitizers, while others can cause burns to skin and eyes.
How To Identify Them And Choose The Least Hazardous
Read the label and look for signal words: Caution, Warning, Danger, and Poison. These signal words indicate the level of hazard (caution is the least hazardous compared to poison which is highly toxic). Solvent-based adhesives will also be labeled “flammable,” “combustible,” or “contains petroleum distillates.” Use the least hazardous product for the job. The safest adhesives on the market are white glue, library paste, yellow wood glue, and glue sticks. White glue effectively bonds most porous and semi-porous materials such as paper, cloth, wood, and pottery. Latex-based adhesives are less hazardous compared to solvent-based products. Read the label.
Disposal Options
Reuse:
- Give Away: Give it to someone who can use it.
Dispose:
- Trash: Adhesives can be dried out-of-doors, away from sources of combustion, and placed in your trash.
The Residential Disposal Guide is provided by the Missoula Valley Water Quality District as a public service and is not an endorsement of specific businesses, services or products. Any omissions or inaccuracies are unintentional. Please contact us with corrections or additions. Call businesses or agencies to confirm hours, locations and charges for services, if any. For information on disposal of items not listed, email or call the Water Quality District at 406-258-4890, M - F, 8 am to 5 pm.
Much of the information provided is from the Washington County, MN, Dept. of Public Health and Environment website.
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