Alcohol Disposal

[garethashenden]

So what is the right way to dispose of alcohol that has been used to clean resin 3d printed models? I don't change the alcohol as often as I should mostly because I don't know how to get rid of it. How do you handle it?

[Scottl]

I put it in an open disposable container in the sun.  In a few days it is just an inert resin residual.

[John]

I put it in an open disposable container in the sun.  In a few days it is just an inert resin residual.

This .. then you can filter the alcohol a couple of times and reuse it.

[sizemore]

Same as Scottl. 5 gal bucket in the back yard. After a couple of days it's just faint residue. Just dont be an and take a vat of old resin outside to dump it. After that lesson I put a few "transfer" buckets with sealable lids in my workshop, one to hold alcohol/resin, the other to hold used towels. Really cuts down on the smell between printing.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BFRW1R28?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title

Then I have one of these for storing resin when cleaning out the vat:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CP5CE5M?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1

The S.

[MVW]

Alcohol disposal? That's my old nickname. 

Jim

[JeffB]

I put it in an open disposable container in the sun.  In a few days it is just an inert resin residual.

This...  But it takes more than a few days, at least in winter here in southern New England. 

Turns into a jellied mass of goo, but at least it's not liquid any longer.

I really wish there was a better way.  I generate about a gallon of IPA/resin waste every few weeks and it takes a lot longer for it to solidify than I can dispose of each pail of waste.

Once spring/summer arrive, I plan on making a liner of some kind, for my wheelbarrow and dumping the mix in there in the hope that the more shallow depth allows it to solidify/evaporate quicker.

Jeff

[Scottl]

It evaporates pretty fast even in Alberta winter

For filtering my clean alcohol rinse, I use a conical coffee filter into a dishwasher tabs bucket with a hole cut to fit the filter.  It takes out all the little bits and the uncured resin has a tendency to bond to the paper filter.

[GaryHinshaw]

What is this Sun of which you speak?

[Missaberoad]

What is this Sun of which you speak?

Don't worry about it... It's a "other side of the mountains" problem!

[John]

Then I have one of these for storing resin when cleaning out the vat:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CP5CE5M?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1

The S.

I just reuse an ol 1KG container .. sometimes mix colors

[Mike C]

Same as Scottl. 5 gal bucket in the back yard. After a couple of days it's just faint residue. Just dont be an and take a vat of old resin outside to dump it. After that lesson I put a few "transfer" buckets with sealable lids in my workshop, one to hold alcohol/resin, the other to hold used towels. Really cuts down on the smell between printing.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BFRW1R28?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title

Then I have one of these for storing resin when cleaning out the vat:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CP5CE5M?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1

The S.

  I don't know if this would apply in your situation , but I would hesitate to keep the used towels in a bucket . About 60 years ago one of our neighbors was remodeling their house and kept old painting rags in a container . One night the rags combusted and burnt the whole house down . I don't know how similar Alc. is to Turpentine but........Mike

[Jesse6669]

I also use a 5-gallon bucket and put outside to evaporate.   

Just curious though, what if you take it outside and put into a non-flammable container and drop a match in it.  That ISO alcohol is used as "fireplace fire" but of course doesn't have resin in it.  I'm guessing resin burning produces some nasty stuff..

[dem34]

You don't have to let it evaporate. Just leaving a clear container in sunlight for abt 15 minutes will cure the suspended resin and then you can just strain out the chunks and fuzz.

[JeffB]

The five gallon pail is a good idea...  I keep filling 1 gallon pails and went to using pail liners so I didn't have to continually toss the pail if I couldn't get the goo out of it.

I really wish there was a better way though...  I don't care about spending the money, continuously buying/using the IPA.  It's the resultant waste that I wish there were a better option for.

Jeff

[Chris333]

This goo you talk about is why I will never buy a "wash station". I know it will just get gummed up.