It is illegal to wash out plastisol or anything containing liquid PVC into drains in the US. But most shops I've visited over the years have their washout booths connected to a drain that either leads outside, or leads into a bathroom floor drain which leads to an outside drain at the end....
Do you guys have pick up service for proper disposal (kind of like motor oil)?
I would like to know more about this as well, are there sites about this, government or otherwise, I've worked in a lot of shops and seen different methods in use ink degraders down the drain seems to be the most popular but I only ever received confirmation of this from the people selling me the degrader. I'd really like to see this thread expand, I am opening my own shop soon and would like to do everything by the book...
I just realized I didn't save the article as a favorite, but I believe it was an article from PNEAC Printers national environmental assistance center, not 100% sure. But I recall the article stating that it was illegal to dispose liquid plastisol, but ok to dispose cured plastisol so I assumed I was the only one who didn't know. The article also had some tips of how to train employees on how to properly dispose liquid plastisol in drum containers and have service come pick it up (I kind of got the feeling that they might have been selling a service?) Not sure, so is it not illegal by everyones knowledge?
I would argue that from your sink to the water filtration plant is a closed system and they take care of it.
Chemical companies that sell solvents that can 'emulsify' plastisol ink so it can go down the drain would be the obvious target of the law.
I don't want any plastisol to go down the drain, it's expensive. I first scrape all the ink back into the original bucket, the wipe the ink residue with a dry rag or towel. At this time, you should hardly be able to tell what color ink was in the screen to start with.
THEN, I spray the screen with ?2 sprays of a solvent and do the final wipe up. I use 2" or 3" masking tape that pulls off easily and cleans out the corners.
It is part of EPA disposal regulations that 'un-cured' plastisol should not disposed of, to protect land fills. This means throwing an ink bucket or even un-cured shop rags in the dumpster with ink in them. That is illegal.
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How are you measuring? retired Ulano Technical Support Screen printing since 1979 - SGIA Academy Member
Last edited by RichardGreaves; October 8th, 2007 at 10:25 AM.
I realize this thread is old, but I want to clarify.
Do you "cure" your rags that have plastisol on them? If not, what do you do?
Thanks for all of your great posts!
Terry
Quote:
Originally Posted by RichardGreaves
I would argue that from your sink to the water filtration plant is a closed system and they take care of it.
Chemical companies that sell solvents that can 'emulsify' plastisol ink so it can go down the drain would be the obvious target of the law.
I don't want any plastisol to go down the drain, it's expensive. I first scrape all the ink back into the original bucket, the wipe the ink residue with a dry rag or towel. At this time, you should hardly be able to tell what color ink was in the screen to start with.
THEN, I spray the screen with ?2 sprays of a solvent and do the final wipe up. I use 2" or 3" masking tape that pulls off easily and cleans out the corners.
It is part of EPA disposal regulations that 'un-cured' plastisol should not disposed of, to protect land fills. This means throwing an ink bucket or even un-cured shop rags in the dumpster with ink in them. That is illegal.
Justin: Citra paste plastisol ink remover; how safe is it, will is piss of wast management etc? Welcome Justin! Your request has been directed to the requested department. Please wait for our operator to answer your request. This may take a few minutes. Call accepted by operator Ashley. Currently in room: Ashley, Justin. Justin: Hello! Ashley: Hi Justin Ashley: All over our enviroline products are soy/citrus based so they are completely safe for the environment Justin: could you elaborate on what exactly it does to plastisol ink? Ashley: the enviroline chemicals will work well with plastiol and waterbased inks. It removes the ink from hands, screens, the press, floor Justin: yes, im aware of what its for, but Ryon says in the video that its "safe" to go down the drain, so what happens to the ink that makes it go from being illegal to go down the drain, to all of a sudden legal? Ashley: Ryan is referring to the chemicals that are safe to go down the drain and waterbased inks - not the plastiols unfortunately Justin: ok, i would recommend changing whats written, because its misleading. Your site says, "Citra Paste Biodegradable Plastisol Screen Wash makes life EASY! Are you use to scrubbing down screens with harsh solvents and throwing away shop towels? The Citra Paste screen wash makes it fast and easy to take ink off your screen! It breaks down plastisol ink to make it degrade and wash down the drain with water" Ashley: Ok you know what Justin - i may be mistaken then. Let me invite a tech in this conversation to talk to you about this product. Justin: please do =) Operator Ashley has invited John to join this conversation. Currently in room: Ashley, Justin, John. Ashley: John is going to answer your questions regarding this product- i apologize that i do not have the correct answers as I am still learning Justin John: hello Justin: hi! Justin: its ok ashley! Ashley has left the conversation. Currently in room: Justin, John. John: sorry just reading trying to catch up on the conversation Justin: ok John: The citra-past is safe to go down the drain Plastisol ink is only acceptable to go down drains in certain areas at certain amounts. Citra paste can be used with a number of inks and will be ok to go down drains but what it is washing down the drain is still subjectable to being unsafe Justin: hmmm, John: It is like if you used Water-based ink. The citra-paste would be ok to go down drains as well as the ink. Or Soy-based ink. Justin: but pretty much not plastisol just because plastisol is simply against the law? John: Depending on your area John: buy it is made of PVC Justin: do you know what areas? John: You would have to check out your state laws. Most of the time the amount that is actaully going down the drain is acceptible in areas that has its own fresh water. if water is imported from somewhere else it is usually an area where it nothing down the drain other then water is ok Justin: hmm, ill look into it. how ever i still feel that some info along these lines should be added to the description of the product so that no one gets effed over by not asking these questions. Justin: thank you for the info, i appreciate it john
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We do things for others to make our money, then we do things with our money to make stuff for others.
So the short answer is, plastisol is not safe to go down the drain. Even when the amount is small and your jurisdiction allows it. It leaches into ground water. 'Legal' doesn't mean safe or ethical.
I am new to the business and trying to read and not just post alot of already answered questions. Someone ask if you should cure your rags before throwing them out and it was not answered. Can someone please verifiy if that is the proper method? Thanx in advance
Proper Disposal of Plastisol Ink 
Citra paste plastisol ink remover; how safe is it, will is piss of wast management etc?
