March 28, 2024, 09:03:03 PM
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Topic: 55 Gallon Plastic Drum Containing Paint Thinner... Safe for Compost Tumbler?  (Read 2645 times)

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Offline jennyholli76

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We are interested in making a compost tumbler out of a used 55 Gallon Plastic Drum. Problem is, the drum previously contained paint thinner. The typical ingredients of paint thinner include the following:
Mineral spirits
Acetone
Turpentine
Naphtha
Toluene
Methyl ethyl ketone (MEK)
Dimethylformamide (DMF)
2-Butoxyethanol, or any of the other glycol ethers

Is there a recommended method for thoroughly cleaning a drum such as this to be used as a composting bin for an organic garden, or would it be recommended that the drum not be used for such purpose at all?

I thank you in advance for your advice and suggestions.
Jenny
« Last Edit: February 17, 2018, 06:11:39 PM by jennyholli76 »

Offline Arkcon

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Is there a recommended method for thoroughly cleaning a drum such as this to be used as a composting bin for an organic garden,

No.  No one in industry studies this.  Things are recycled, but not reused.  No one want a surprise, so no one want to risk it, so there isn't a definitive answer.

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or would it be recommended that the drum not be used for such purpose at all?

No.  Here's what I've said before, and other people have opinions, not answers.

http://www.chemicalforums.com/index.php?topic=79600.msg289954#msg289954

http://www.chemicalforums.com/index.php?topic=70169.msg252768#msg252768

http://www.chemicalforums.com/index.php?topic=22030.msg84242#msg84242
Hey, I'm not judging.  I just like to shoot straight.  I'm a man of science.

Offline jennyholli76

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Thank you. I was afraid that might be the answer.... just trying to save a buck, but not worth it when it comes to contaminating food we will consume.

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