Powder disposal

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chas442

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I have some powder that is suspect and would like to dispose of it bproperly. I have more than I want to dump on my lawn. On top of that it is not the season for fertilizing. Probably have about 12 pounds that I need to get rid of. Any legitimate suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I realize trhat this subject has been touched on, but the search function did not produce any results that I am willing to persue.

TIA
 
I had 5 or 6 pounds of powder I wasn't sure of so I put it in the lawn fertilizer spreader and spread it over the lawn. I figured it would help me be sure not to put too much in one spot and "burn" the lawn lol.
 
If not confined, smokeless powder is less "dangerous" than aerosol cans and many "under the sink" chemicals. I might put it in a paper bag and toss it in the trash. Or if there is a local Haz-Mat disposal available (paint, batteries, etc.), I'd drop it off there...
 
Walkalong said:
If you do, spread it out so the layer is thin. ;)

Your lawn doesn't care when you toss it on it, just spread it out real good.
Click to expand...

Yes, it does burn very rapidly. Do it like on TV, make a small pile and run a line of it (like a fuse: Lots of fun! It goes up quickly!!

I have had years of pyro training with fireworks! USE at your OWN RISK!

Despite internet lore, smokeless powder makes very poor fertilizer and you can chemical burn your lawn or shrubs.
 
No lore, my Irises love Silhouette.
After a little spill remediation I had them bloom twice this year. The last time in October no less! Nine inch flowers with branching stalks. Fifteen on one plant.

I think I'll try some on my Asiatic Lilies too!:)
 
Bummer 12 lbs of bad powder.

I wouldn't put it in the trash, it might get lit somehow.
If you burn I would keep the amount at one time small say maybe a 1/4-1/2 lb at a time.
Safer that way. Wear safety glasses when burning it.
 
I like to make trails akin to setting dominoes. Pour thin trails that branch off into many patterns that can terminate into 1/4 lb piles. Of course you do need a fair amount of dirt, or concrete that you're going to have to pressure wash.
 
According to Alliant Powder:

Dispose of smokeless powder by burning it out in the open at an isolated location in small shallow piles not over 1" deep. The quantity burned in any one pile should never exceed one pound. Use an ignition train of slow burning combustible material so that a person may retreat to a safe distance before the powder is ignited. © 2016 Alliant Powder

-or-
Alternatively, spread the powder thinly on lawn areas and apply water as with fertilizers.
 
I like old powder cans. When I get a "new" one I dispose of the old powder even if it looks and smells ok.

For me there is only one option. Put the powder into a ziplock bag and toss it in the next bonfire. It makes a pleasant whoosh noise and fireball. A quart bag is my limit.
 
Since we are on the topic of disposing of questionable powder, let me share a reloading room wall decoration I made to help me avoid an error that turns "good" powder into "questionable" powder.

This post is for those looking for a solid procedure to prevent unintentional mixing of powders, which in my opinion, can only be corrected by complete disposal of all powder(s) involved.

I am only trying to share with those who are interested, what I do in my reloading room.

If you already have a procedure you are satisfied with, I am NOT lecturing.
You may like to have ALL your powders out and open.
I wouldn't, but I don't see why you can't.

WARNING
Never Have More Than One Powder On The Bench At The Same Time
NO EXCEPTIONS

Procedure for Changing Powders

Properly dispose of all powder that is in any way physically contaminated or chemically degraded.
Return all serviceable powder to its original container.
Be absolutely certain that the powders are the same.
NEVER MIX DIFFERENT POWDERS
Tightly seal the container and return it to the powder magazine.
Make certain there are no powder containers outside the magazine.
Remove the newly selected powder from the powder magazine and place it on the reloading bench.

I have this on the wall over my powder measure setup area.
Next birthday is the big Seven-Zero... why take chances with a mind that old regardless how sharp I once thought it was?
Room.JPG Poster.JPG
 

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I do believe that covers it well. :)

This thread brings to mind a small horror I need to fix. I have about 5 Lbs of Black Powder I need to get rid of. I keep forgetting about that stuff. Must be at least 25 years old and I don't even shoot black powder.

Ron
 
mmorris said:
Since we are on the topic of disposing of questionable powder, let me share a reloading room wall decoration I made to help me avoid an error that turns "good" powder into "questionable" powder.

This post is for those looking for a solid procedure to prevent unintentional mixing of powders, which in my opinion, can only be corrected by complete disposal of all powder(s) involved.

I am only trying to share with those who are interested what I do in my reloading room.

If you already have a procedure you are satisfied with, I am NOT lecturing.
You may like to have ALL your powders out and open.
I wouldn't, but I don't see why you can't.

WARNING
Never Have More Than One Powder On The Bench At The Same Time
NO EXCEPTIONS

Procedure for Changing Powders

Properly dispose of all powder that is in any way physically contaminated or chemically degraded.
Return all serviceable powder to its original container.
Be absolutely certain that the powders are the same.
NEVER MIX DIFFERENT POWDERS
Tightly seal the container and return it to the powder magazine.
Make certain there are no powder containers outside the magazine.
Remove the newly selected powder from the powder magazine and place it on the reloading bench.

I have this on the wall over my powder measure setup area.
Next birthday is the big Seven-Zero... why take chances with a mind that old regardless how sharp I once thought it was?
View attachment 772815 View attachment 772816
Click to expand...

OH MY, I see a real Bozo NO NO in the picture! It is against all protocol! ERROR ERROR!

You are not using the ORIGINAL container and it is relabeled!!:what::what:
 
Reloadron said:
I do believe that covers it well. :)

This thread brings to mind a small horror I need to fix. I have about 5 Lbs of Black Powder I need to get rid of. I keep forgetting about that stuff. Must be at least 25 years old and I don't even shoot black powder.

Ron
Click to expand...

Shipping and inventory regulations make black powder harder to get than smokeless.
Black powder does not age out like Slamfire warns us about smokeless.
Ask around, I bet SOMEBODY in your area would love to have it.
 
Jim Watson said:
Shipping and inventory regulations make black powder harder to get than smokeless.
Black powder does not age out like Slamfire warns us about smokeless.
Ask around, I bet SOMEBODY in your area would love to have it.
Click to expand...
Thanks Jim, I was aware of that. I was thinking maybe drag it to a friends gun shop.I am never going to use it and the cans were never opened.

Thanks
Ron
 
Rule3 said:
OH MY, I see a real Bozo NO NO in the picture! It is against all protocol! ERROR ERROR!

You are not using the ORIGINAL container and it is relabeled!!:what::what:
Click to expand...

Rule 3, with all due respect to you as a valued THR resource, I feel that criticism does apply to brown paper bags and oatmeal containers, but not this example. This is an original W231 1lb container, properly labeled as to source including lot # & date. I feel that this adheres to accepted practice.
I don't want to decant a half a powder measure of powder from an 8lb keg.

No offense intended, but I don't see the "bozo-ness" in this method.
 
I can't imagine that smokeless powder could be legally disposed of in the garbage anywhere in the United States, or the civilized world for that matter.
 
mmorris said:
Since we are on the topic of disposing of questionable powder, let me share a reloading room wall decoration I made to help me avoid an error that turns "good" powder into "questionable" powder.

This post is for those looking for a solid procedure to prevent unintentional mixing of powders, which in my opinion, can only be corrected by complete disposal of all powder(s) involved.

I am only trying to share with those who are interested, what I do in my reloading room.

If you already have a procedure you are satisfied with, I am NOT lecturing.
You may like to have ALL your powders out and open.
I wouldn't, but I don't see why you can't.

WARNING
Never Have More Than One Powder On The Bench At The Same Time
NO EXCEPTIONS

Procedure for Changing Powders

Properly dispose of all powder that is in any way physically contaminated or chemically degraded.
Return all serviceable powder to its original container.
Be absolutely certain that the powders are the same.
NEVER MIX DIFFERENT POWDERS
Tightly seal the container and return it to the powder magazine.
Make certain there are no powder containers outside the magazine.
Remove the newly selected powder from the powder magazine and place it on the reloading bench.

I have this on the wall over my powder measure setup area.
Next birthday is the big Seven-Zero... why take chances with a mind that old regardless how sharp I once thought it was?
View attachment 772815 View attachment 772816
Click to expand...

I have no problem with the way you repackaged the powder. It looks nice and neat and safe. A proper container, a nice label, what else would you need? I like the sign, too! Any of us that have accidentally mixed powder or used the wrong powder and had to pull down a bunch of ammo can appreciate the reminder.

As to that 12# of powder, I would just take it for a ride and scatter it in a road ditch. I would not be comfortable putting it in the trash and while burning it would be fun, I doubt that I would go to the trouble.
 
mmorris said:
Rule 3, with all due respect to you as a valued THR resource, I feel that criticism does apply to brown paper bags and oatmeal containers, but not this example. This is an original W231 1lb container, properly labeled as to source including lot # & date. I feel that this adheres to accepted practice.
I don't want to decant a half a powder measure of powder from an 8lb keg.

No offense intended, but I don't see the "bozo-ness" in this method.
Click to expand...

I was actually yanking your chain. :)Why is there another printed label OVER the original blue label?

Yes, I take powder from large containers and put them in the one pound ones but do not relabel it.

You put the label on for the lot number?
 
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