How to scientifically dispose of waste polyurethane adhesives?

Polyurethane adhesives are widely used in industrial production and daily life due to their excellent bonding properties. However, if improperly disposed of after being discarded, they can cause serious environmental hazards and waste resources. These waste materials often contain flammable solvents and toxic components. Their natural degradation cycle can last for thousands of years. Random landfilling can pollute soil and water bodies, and incineration will release toxic gases. Therefore, scientific disposal is the key to implementing the circular economy. 

 

Standardized pre-treatment is the fundamental prerequisite for disposal. Waste polyurethane adhesives need to be classified according to their form. Liquid waste should be sealed and stored in explosion-proof containers to prevent leakage and volatilization; solid waste should have impurities removed and be collected separately. Before disposal, it is necessary to stay away from fire sources, static electricity and other hazardous factors. Operators must be equipped with protective equipment and must not randomly dump or mix with household garbage. This is to avoid environmental and safety risks at the source. 

 

The current mainstream disposal methods can be divided into two categories: recycling and harmless treatment. Recycling is the optimal solution. Mechanical recycling involves crushing and processing to turn solid waste into fillers for products such as rubber and building materials. Chemical recycling technology is becoming increasingly mature. For instance, BASF's Loop technology can convert waste 100% into recycled raw materials through advanced liquefaction processes, maintaining the same performance as the original materials. Biodegradation is applicable to biobased polyurethane waste and can be disposed of in an environmentally friendly manner through microbial decomposition. 

 

Harmless disposal, as a supplementary measure, must strictly follow environmental protection standards. Professional incineration requires the installation of exhaust gas treatment systems to reduce and eliminate toxic and harmful combustion products; for waste materials that are difficult to recycle, they should be safely buried by qualified institutions to ensure compliance with soil seepage prevention requirements.