Graphite (CAS 7782-42-5): storage and disposal

The concern that decides where graphite goes is its dust: it is not normally classified as hazardous, but fine dust should still be controlled, and powder spreads far from a loose lid. A dry, labelled, well organised store suits it, dated on arrival, with powder in a tightly closed tub and rods in a labelled box or tube so they do not shed dust onto neighbouring bottles. Graphite conducts electricity, so rods and powder should not be left near electrical equipment or bare terminals. Keep it away from food grade supplies, and make sure each container names the form it holds.

Nothing seems to have happened to old stock, which stays grey black powder or dull rods that mark paper and fingers. Because of that, the signs worth noting are on the container: a lid that no longer seals, black dust around the neck and on the shelf, a split box, a faded label or a rod that has crumbled to flakes. A tub with grey dust smeared on the outside shows careless handling. Anything caked, wet or mixed with another substance should be recorded as contaminated graphite and not as clean stock. The substance itself gives few visible signs.

We arrange this by specialist collection. We do not publish a drain or general waste route for any chemical. It is normally packed in a non-regulated or low hazard laboratory pack with compatible chemicals.

The usual entry for graphite is 16 05 09, a code without an asterisk, because it is not normally classified as hazardous, though the producer classifies the waste and a waste transfer note covers the movement. Rods and powder are listed separately. Collection is by specialist carrier only, so graphite must not go into a sink, a drain, a general bin or a skip, however plain the rods look, and nobody should try to burn the powder away. Record the form, the approximate amount and whether dust has spread beyond the tub, so the collector can plan the packing.

Usually held as: powder, rods.

Tell us the container size and how many you hold. An estimate is enough to start with, and some items cannot be priced until someone has looked at them.