Pool Chemical Disposal

As we enter the off-season for many pool owners, you might find that you have pool chemicals that have not been used and that you do not anticipate using.   It is not smart to have chemicals that are not being used stored at your house.  Many common pool chemicals can be toxic, corrosive, flammable, or caustic and can be dangerous to both people and the environment when discarded incorrectly.  Following are methods of properly disposing of old or unneeded pool chemicals.

1. Use them in your pool—Although you might have to purchase another chemical to counteract the effect of the old chemical, it is still a very effective way to rid yourself of the old or unneeded chemical.
2. Give the old or unneeded chemical to another pool owner—Water from one pool to another varies, as does the chemicals required to balance the pool water.  You might have a friend or neighbor that could use the product in their pool.
3. Take the old or unneeded chemical to a pool company—Most pool companies will accept old or unneeded pool chemicals if the container is still in good shape.  Sometimes the pool company can use the chemical or, if not, can properly dispose of the chemical.
4. Use the City of Denton’s home chemical collection program –City of Denton residents are fortunate to have a very good home chemical collection program and solid waste department.  According to City of Denton web site, residents in the City of Denton can have pool chemicals (and other household chemicals) collected on their normal collection day with a 48 hour notice.   Swimming pool chemicals included in the home collection program are alkaline additives, pool chlorine, pool cleaners, muriatic acid, and shock treatments.  Simply call (940) 349-8787 for more information or visit the cityofdenton.com website under “for residents” and then click “recycling”.   You can be assured that the chemicals are reused, recycled, or disposed of properly by the City of Denton.

Pool chemicals are necessary to keep a pool safe, but we must respect the fact that they can be dangerous if not handled properly or disposed of properly.