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Chemical collection and stock control for UK schools, universities and hospitals

Activated charcoal (CAS 7440-44-0): storage and disposal

Activated charcoal is held as a fine black powder or as granules in school, university, pathology and pharmacy stores. Unused, it is classified for eye and airway irritation, but it can self-heat in bulk or when damp. Charcoal that has been used takes on the hazards of whatever it absorbed, so a half-used tub and a spent filter bed are not the same waste.

CAS number
7440-44-0
Form
Solid
Storage class
General
Signal word
Warning
Usual EWC code
16 05 06*
  • Harmful or irritant pictogramHarmful or irritant

What to do this week

  1. Check the label is readable and write down the opened date if it is not already there.
  2. Check it is stored as general stock and apart from the items listed under "Do not store with".
  3. If you no longer need it, add it to your disposal list so it goes on the next collection.

Safe storage in a school or lab

Powder usually arrives in a plastic tub or a sack and granules in a heavier drum, and the lid is what keeps the stock dry. A dry, labelled, well organised store is right, dated on arrival. Because charcoal can self-heat in bulk or when damp, do not stack open sacks against warm pipework or leave a tub with a split lid near a source of water. Keep it apart from oxidising chemicals, including ammonium nitrate, calcium hypochlorite, chromium trioxide, hydrogen peroxide, potassium chlorate, potassium dichromate, potassium permanganate and sodium chlorate, because these form mixtures that burn fiercely, explode or detonate. Pharmacy stock should stay in its own labelled container, separate from laboratory supplies.

How to tell it has deteriorated

Dry charcoal is a loose, matt black powder or free-running granules. A tub that feels warm, a lump of caked or damp powder, a smell of something other than charcoal and fine black dust on the outside of the tub should all stand out. Charcoal takes up vapours and moisture from its surroundings, so stock left with a loose lid beside solvent bottles absorbs them and takes on their hazards. Look also for a split tub, a faded label and a missing date of receipt. Charcoal that has been used to clear a solution should be recorded as used, with what it was used on.

How it must be disposed of

By specialist collection only. It never goes down the drain or into general waste. It is normally packed in a non-regulated or low hazard laboratory pack with compatible chemicals.

The usual entry is 16 05 06*, with UN 1362, and the asterisk marks it as hazardous waste. Healthcare holders such as a pharmacy or pathology lab can find 18 01 06* applies instead, which is why the setting should be stated. What matters most is whether the charcoal is unused or used: used charcoal takes on the hazards of what it absorbed, so describe the source accurately. It travels only by specialist collection and must not go into a sink, a drain, a general bin or a skip. A tub that is damp or warm to the touch is flagged to the collector in advance.

Waste codes and transport details for Activated charcoal
EWC code, laboratory chemicals16 05 06*
Discarded inorganic chemical, not a laboratory pack16 05 07*
Human healthcare setting18 01 06*
Hazardous wasteYes

The code depends on where the waste came from and what it is mixed with. Use the waste code finder to see why.

Do not store with

Named chemicals to keep apart

  • Ammonium nitrateAmmonium nitrate forms mixtures with these materials that can detonate.
  • Calcium hypochloriteStrong oxidisers can form mixtures with these materials that burn fiercely or explode.
  • Chromium trioxideStrong oxidisers can form mixtures with these materials that burn fiercely or explode.
  • Hydrogen peroxideStrong oxidisers can form mixtures with these materials that burn fiercely or explode.
  • Potassium chlorateStrong oxidisers can form mixtures with these materials that burn fiercely or explode.
  • Potassium dichromateStrong oxidisers can form mixtures with these materials that burn fiercely or explode.
  • Potassium permanganateStrong oxidisers can form mixtures with these materials that burn fiercely or explode.
  • Sodium chlorateStrong oxidisers can form mixtures with these materials that burn fiercely or explode.
Show 1 more
  • Sodium dichromateStrong oxidisers can form mixtures with these materials that burn fiercely or explode.

Common quantities we collect

Usually held as: powder, granules.

Part-used bottles and full containers are both fine. Tell us the size and how many, and an estimate is enough for a first price.

Where it is commonly held

Hazard statements

  • H319 Causes serious eye irritation.
  • H335 May cause respiratory irritation.
Precautionary statements
  • P261 Avoid breathing dust, fume, gas, mist, vapours or spray.
  • P264+P265 Wash hands and exposed skin thoroughly after handling. Do not touch eyes.
  • P271 Use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.
  • P280 Wear protective gloves, protective clothing, eye protection and face protection.
  • P304+P340 IF INHALED: Remove person to fresh air and keep comfortable for breathing.
  • P305+P351+P338 IF IN EYES: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing.
  • P319 Get medical help if you feel unwell.
  • P337+P317 If eye irritation persists: Get medical help.
  • P403+P233 Store in a well-ventilated place. Keep container tightly closed.
  • P405 Store locked up.
  • P501 Dispose of contents and container in accordance with local, regional, national and international regulations.

Substance as classified, dilutions may differ.

Questions

Can activated charcoal catch fire in storage?

It can self-heat in bulk or when damp, so keep it dry, in closed containers, and do not stack large quantities against warm surfaces. A tub that feels warm should be reported rather than moved around. Keep it away from oxidising chemicals such as chlorates and permanganate.

Is used charcoal the same waste as unused charcoal?

No. Used charcoal takes on the hazards of what it absorbed, so it must be described by that source and not as plain charcoal. Record what it was used on and keep it in a closed, labelled container until the collector takes it.

Why is charcoal from the pharmacy listed differently?

Healthcare holders can use the code 18 01 06* in place of 16 05 06*, so state the setting when you ask for a collection. The storage precautions include separation from oxidising chemicals, but the classification of used charcoal also depends on what it has absorbed. The product details and previous use must be included when requesting collection.

Guidance only. Check your own risk assessment and your supplier's safety data sheet.

Hazard data source: PubChem GHS Classification, retrieved 31 Oct 2026. Formula C. EC number 231-153-3.

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