Waste management has become a major area of focus for various governments in the Middle East. The commercial and residential segments in AbuDhabi generate tons of hazardous waste. Over the past decade, the rapid growth in population, urbanisation, economic expansion and huge paradigm shift in technology has led to a tremendous increase in the quantities of waste being generated.



Considering the fact it becomes critical for chemical waste management service in Abu Dhabi, to properly dispose of and treatment of this waste stream. Globally, countries are significantly addressing this issue by taking specific measures to deal with this critical waste stream.



A major portion of this hazardous waste is contributed by chemical waste produced in the industrial and medical sectors. 

What is Chemical Waste?

Hazardous chemical waste may be generated from laboratory processes, facilities operations and maintenance, construction and renovation activities, photo processing etc. Chemical waste is considered hazardous if poses a hazard to human health or the environment when improperly managed. Hazardous chemical waste includes:



Examples of Chemical Waste are as follows, but not limited to,

  • By-products generated from research laboratories
  • Unused and surplus reagent-grade chemicals
  • Batteries
  • Anything contaminated by chemicals
  • Used oil of all types
  • Spent solvents - including water-based
  • Mercury containing items
  • Photographic film processing solutions and chemicals
  • Pesticides
  • Non-returnable gas cylinders
  • Non-empty aerosol cans
  • Chemically contaminated sharps
  • Finely divided powders
  • Contaminated syringes, needles, blades etc
  • Equipment and apparatus containing hazardous waste
  • Computer/electronic equipment
  • Toner cartridges
  • Ethylene glycol
  • Paints - both oil and latex
  • Fluorescent light bulbs
  • Light ballasts
  • Preserved specimens
  • Custodial and industrial cleaners
  • Uncured Resins(Phenolic, Epoxy, Styrene, etc....)
  • Dye and glazes
  • Degreasing solvents
  • Brake/Transmission/Power Steering Fluids

Categories of Chemical Waste:

Hazardous chemical wastes can be categorized into five groups:

  • Synthetic organics
  • Inorganic metals
  • Salts
  • Acids and Bases
  • Flammables
  • Explosives




Dispose of Chemical Waste:

Chemical waste is becoming a massive problem which needs to be solved. So regulation of safe disposal of waste is necessary, as these chemicals can have a negative effect on the health of people that are exposed to them and can also contaminate the soil and water.



Chemical hazardous waste can not be disposed of in regular trash or can’t be drained via a sewer system. Most chemical wastes must be disposed of in accordance with the policy, strategy and contractual systems of waste management.



There are plenty of reliable waste treatment facilities in Abu Dhabi, that can handle the amount of waste being generated.



Multiple sectors, industries and other institutions that may need chemical waste disposal include-



(a) Chemical waste disposal companies

(b) the Petroleum industry 

(c) the Pulp industry

 (d) the Chemical industry

 (e) the Pharmaceutical industry

 (f) Hospitals

 (g) Universities

 (h) Cement industry

Labelling of Chemical waste:

All chemical waste containers must be labelled clearly to identify their contents. The following details must be included on the waste label:

  1. Name of the person responsible for the waste 
  2. Description of waste details
  3. Date of generation

Advanced disposable methods for chemical waste:

There are specific hazardous wastes generated like mercury-containing wastes, pesticides, HCH wastes, infectious medical or hospital wastes, acids, bases, cutting oils, paint, lacquer, contaminated filters, contaminated soil, ashes, slag, dross, used oil, galvanic sludge, developer, fixer, catalysts, etc., All types of chemical wastes need specific treatment processes. There are many Chemical Waste Management service in Abu Dhabi, which remove any forms of hazardous or non-hazardous liquid waste disposal in Abu Dhabi. 

Chemical waste is treated based on its physical and chemical properties. Waste is segregated properly to avoid the mixing of incompatible materials in waste streams. This, in turn, can cause unwanted reactions, such as the production of toxic gases or explosions and risk the lives of everyone in the area.



For this, there are several proven treatment methods and technologies available including rotary kiln incineration, Physico-chemical treatment, enhanced plasma system, special recovery processes, mining, refining, electrolysis, etc. 

1. Disposal Through Chemical Treatment:

Chemical treatment involves the complete breakdown of hazardous waste into less dangerous non-toxic gases. Frequently, the chemical process transforms hazardous waste into less toxic substances, that can be extracted to form a solution.



These methods include the ion exchange reaction, chemical precipitation, oxidation and reduction (a.k.a. redox) reaction, Neutralisation etc.



Often, chemical treatments are coupled with physical treatment methods to achieve the desired results. In some cases, coagulants are used along with physical flocculation techniques to expedite the process.

2. Disposal Through Physical Treatment Methods:

Physical treatments use filters where contaminated wastewater is passed over activated carbon or resin to remove pollutants. Other treatments may use gravitational methods to separate materials from solutions by sedimentation. In addition, Phase change systems are another physical treatment method that captures waste to create a solid mass.

3. Disposal Through Thermal Treatment Methods:

The most common form of thermal treatment is the high-temperature incineration method. In today’s world, thermal treatment is considered the most preferred option for treating hazardous waste. As it is well suited to certain types of waste, such as waste aqueous solvent blends, drilling mud, mining sludge and some tars.



Heavy metals wastes should never be incinerated, as these metals remain in the incinerator ash, and pose a health hazard. Therefore, requires special disposal. The pyrolysis technique is also employed to dispose of hazardous materials through heating.

4. Disposal Through Biological Treatment Methods

Biological disposal of chemical wastes primarily uses microorganisms like bacteria. Bacteria can seamlessly degrade organic compounds in wastewater streams, and convert the biodegradable organic matter into simpler substances and biomass.



Bioremediation is another popular and effective biological treatment for treating wastewater.



Landfilling is a bioremediation technique used to treat contaminated soils by various methods.

In summary,

It is concluded that any chemical waste must be treated and disposed of effectively, as it can health and environmental hazards. Due to these severe implications, it is recommended to have an expert partner to look after chemical waste management with Controlled Medications Treatment.



To learn more about hazardous chemical waste management, treatment and disposal service, seek Chemical waste management service in Abu Dhabi. As experts know the compliance and necessary regulations and keep your site safe.