Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

I have finished this project on Science Buddies: https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... p026.shtml
I am wondering what would be the safest and most proper way to dispose of these used microbial fuel cells with mud and the salt bridges. Please let me know.

Hello,

I am glad that you are concerned about the safety of your project! Did you perform your experiment at school? If so, most schools have set up a hazardous waste disposal protocol for science classes; you should contact a chemistry or biology teacher and conveniently dispose your materials to wherever they dispose the chemicals they use in their classes.
If you performed your experiment at home, you should contact a local waste management facility and ask if they accept hazardous waste. Most likely, your local dump will take care of it; you just have to bring your project to their facilities instead of just letting the garbageman pick it up.

I hope that helps!

Hi thornsj,

There should be no "hazardous" waste as a results of this experiment, however there will be some biological waste. A simple solution of household bleach and water (dilute bleach 1:10 with water) will be enough to completely disinfect all parts of your fuel cell. Afterwards the liquid contents can be disposed of down the drain and anything remaining can be thrown in the standard trash.

-Dave