Packing Chemicals

You must not pack chemically incompatible materials together in one box. These must be segregated and packed separately.

Here are the categories and examples of common chemicals in each group:

Acids: Hydrochloric acid, Sulphuric acid, Nitric acid, Chromic Acid. (Liquid form)

Alkalis: Sodium Hydroxide, Calcium Hydroxide, Potassium Hydroxide, Lime. (White crystalline powder and soluble in water.) Also bleach

Solvents: White spirits, Petrol, Diesel, Paraffin (Red/Blue), Methanol, Toluene, Xylene, alcohols.

Solutes: Magnesium Sulphate (Epson Salts), White crystalline powder, Copper Sulphate, Blue crystalline powder (used in some insecticides and fungicides)

Pesticides and insecticides

Chemicals which react violently with water and air: Sodium, Potassium (soft silver metals), Calcium Carbide (solid) Paints: Oil/Turpentine Paints (volatile liquids), Red Lead.

Other toxic liquids: Antifreeze (Ethylene Glycol), Paint Strippers (Non Flammable)

You must pack items in their containers so that they cannot work free and so become damaged or lose their contents. Shock-absorbing packaging such as shredded paper, corrugated cardboard, vermiculite or expanded polystyrene may be used but you should NOT use sand.

All containers must be in good condition. Drums should be leak proof. No container (other than 25 litre carboys and drums) and contents should weigh more than 25kg and all boxes must be closed. HWCDS does NOT accept open boxes.

HWCDS does not return containers.