Metal finishing Q&As since 1989

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ZINC OR COPPER FILTER CAKES

We are looking for cheap sources of copper and zinc. We have considered zinc and copper hydroxide filter cakes and muds, or similar. We can purchase several thousand tons of materials that are not hazardous waste and would appreciate any ideas.

Thanks,

Fernando Munoz
Engineer - Conyers, Georgia, USA
2003

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2003

My knowledge may be dated, Fernando, but I think your statement that you want "zinc and copper hydroxide filter cakes ... that are not hazardous waste" is an oxymoron. I believe the "derived from" regulation is still in effect, such that these wastes are "categorically" hazardous waste even if they were safe to eat as breakfast cereal.

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey

I think that the escape clause is when it is designated for recycling. I suspect that it will still have to be shipped and received as a haz waste. What ideas are you looking for? Reprocessing is not cheap. Probably not cost effective until you are doing several tons a day, and are removing all of the regulated metals to below regulated limits, or you will have to add in disposal fees also.

James Watts
- Navarre, Florida
2003

I realize this question is dated about 1 year ago but there are many copper (electroless) and zinc (galvanizing strip neutralization sludges) that are not RCRA regulated and then only subject to state regulations if any. California would regulate both total copper and total zinc but then there are exclusions to the waste code for recycling the materials.

Greg Weyl
- San Diego, California
2004