During the global crisis, hand sanitizers turned out to be the best solution when fighting germs. But as with all good remedies, they also have an expiry date. If you happened to find an old bottle and are wondering: “What can I do with expired hand sanitizer?” – do not worry you have come to the right site. In this article, we’ll take a look at the best ways to get rid of them, explain dares of expired sanitizer and put some jokes in between.
Why Does Hand Sanitizer Expire?
In most cases, these hand rubs consist of alcohol (either ethanol or isopropanol) which also has a limited time for use. Alcohol is known to be a germ-killer in sanitizers, thus in most cases, if it is below sixty percent in concentration, a sanitizer does not work as intended but rather serves to mislead people, and is hence useless in any practical sanitizing applications. Hence, if the abovementioned product has been sitting in a drawer ever since the COVID-19 outbreak began, you should throw it away.
Is Expired Hand Sanitizer Dangerous?
An out-of-date hand sanitizer isn’t precisely toxic waste, but needless to say, it raises some issues. This is where the biohazard factor creeps in. Exposure to expired sanitizer is not likely to hurt you, but the following reasons make it dangerous:
- Lose effectiveness, leaving you vulnerable to bacteria and viruses.
- Become a flammable hazard, especially in high volumes.
- Pollute water systems if disposed of incorrectly.
- Create chemical instability, especially if left in extreme temperatures or exposed to sunlight.
In short, that forgotten bottle in your car glove box may not protect you from germs, but it could ignite a disaster if mishandled.
What to Do with Expired Hand Sanitizer?
Having covered the dangers, let’s move on to the important aspect which is disposal of the waste. Getting rid of old hand sanitizers is not as straightforward as chucking them in the dustbin. Here’s how one should go about disposing them properly:
1. Check the Label for Disposal Guidelines
Manufacturers sometimes include specific instructions for disposing of hand sanitizers. Always read the label first to ensure compliance with any product-specific recommendations.
2. Let it Evaporate in Small Quantities
In case you have a little left over, remove the cap and let it disperse in a place that has plenty of air circulation. After waiting for the alcohol to dissipate, the remaining sediment is considered safe with no threats.
Pro Tip: It’s like an icing on the cake, you give the final calmness to that bottle of sanitizer by allowing it to breathe for a few moments.
3. Dispose of in Household Trash (with Caution)
For small amounts, place the empty or evaporated bottle in your regular household trash. Make sure the bottle is sealed tightly to prevent leaks.
4. Do Not Pour Down the Drain
Pouring expired sanitizer into the sink, toilet, or storm drains is a big no-no. It can disrupt wastewater treatment processes and potentially harm marine life. Let’s keep those fish sober!
5. Use Hazardous Waste Collection Sites
If you have larger quantities of expired hand sanitizer — maybe from a business or school — your best bet is to take it to a hazardous waste collection center. Many local governments offer drop-off services for flammable liquids and other chemical-based waste.
6. Repurpose the Bottles for Recycling
Empty sanitizer bottles made of plastic can usually be recycled. Rinse them thoroughly before tossing them in the recycling bin. Just make sure you don’t confuse them with your new hand sanitizer bottles — no one likes a watered-down surprise.
The Environmental Impact of Improper Disposal
Hand sanitizers, if not disposed of properly, can contaminate the soil and groundwater that feed into local ecosystems. Similarly, huge quantities of alcohol-based sanitizer dumped in landfills may tend to support fires. This is why proper steps in disposal are neither only a legal matter but also moral in themselves.
Handling Expired Sanitizer in Bulk: Special Cases
Such large quantities of expired hand sanitizer is truly quite challenging to deal with, especially in business entities such as schools, medical facilities, or offices. It is then by getting a biohazard waste disposal company that enables businesses to abide by environmental regulations and avoid liability issues.
Some disposal services will even help collect and transport expired sanitizers safely. This is where medical waste disposal services come in, especially for institutions generating a mix of hazardous waste.
What to Do if You Find Expired Sanitizers in Medical Facilities
Hospitals and healthcare facilities often purchase large quantities of alcohol-based sanitizers. When such products have become outdated, they become part of biohazard waste, and hence proper handling requires professional service. Partner with companies offering medical waste disposal in West Palm Beach to ensure responsible and efficient handling according to Florida state environmental laws.
Conclusion
In a society that places a premium on hygiene, it would be fair to say that the last thing you would want to embrace is the use of old hand sanitizer. It may involve emptying out and getting rid of sanitizers from, say, 2020 or even dealing with excess expired ones from a healthcare center; regardless, safe disposal is a must. There are several ways of retiring your sanitizer that causes no harm from simply letting it evaporate to using hazardous waste facilities.
Be advised that making sure that your waste disposal practices are in accordance to the stipulations and local regulations such activities are aimed at is not only commendable. It is also reassuring to know that nothing has been left to chance where safety and the environment are concerned.
Reference
For more information on proper waste disposal methods, check out the EPA guidelines for hazardous waste disposal.