Cyanide Waste Disposal
Cyanide waste is acutely toxic and releases hydrogen cyanide gas on contact with acid. It requires specialist handling, strict segregation and treatment at a licensed disposal site. Do not attempt to neutralise it yourself.
How we handle waste cyanide
Cyanide bearing waste is produced by metal plating and heat treatment lines, photographic processing, mining laboratories and some analytical chemistry. Typical wastes include spent plating baths, rinse waters, salts and laboratory reagents.
The single most important control is segregation. Cyanide waste must be kept strictly apart from acids and from acidic waste streams, in clearly labelled, sealed containers, in an area where an accidental mix cannot occur. Keep the storage area secure and restricted to trained staff.
Collections are made by ADR trained drivers under full regulatory control, and the waste is treated by chemical oxidation at a licensed disposal site. Part E of the consignment note is returned to you as evidence of destruction.
What we collect
- Spent cyanide plating baths
- Cyanide rinse waters
- Sodium and potassium cyanide salts
- Cyanide laboratory reagents
- Cyanide contaminated sludges
Request a quote for waste cyanide
Send us the details and our experts will come back to you with a quote, packaging guidance where required, and a collection date that suits your site.
The importance of safe cyanide disposal
Waste cyanide stays legally yours until it reaches a licensed disposal site. Correct classification, compatible packaging and licensed carriage protect your staff, keep drains and watercourses clear of contamination, and give you the records the Environment Agency expects under the Hazardous Waste Regulations.
Our hazardous waste disposal process
- 01
Get in touch
Send us the waste type, volume, storage information, images and collection address. We will then provide you with a quote.
- 02
Collection and transport
The waste is then collected and transported to one of the licensed disposal or recycling sites in our network.
- 03
Delivered and documented
The waste is handled by the receiving site, and your signed hazardous waste consignment note is returned for your Duty of Care records.
Frequently asked questions
Can cyanide waste be mixed with other chemical waste?
Never. Contact with acid generates hydrogen cyanide gas. Cyanide waste is stored and transported strictly separately.
How is cyanide waste treated?
By chemical oxidation at a licensed disposal plant, which destroys the cyanide before the remaining effluent is treated.
More named chemical disposal pages
Nationwide hazardous waste collection, wherever your site is
From a single drum to a full site clearance, we collect across England, Scotland and Wales with the paperwork handled for you.