I was given one of those large plastic containers in a steel reinforcing cage. The problem, it was used to store discarded antifreeze prior to disposal. Is it possible to sufficiently clean and detox this container for use as a compost bin? I dont want to be passing things to the compost and worms that might be absorbed by the garden. Thanks.

-- Jay Blair in N. AL (jayblair678@yahoo.com), April 11, 2001

Answers

plastic an readily absorb whatever it comes in contact with. Thats why ou never use anything to store food in,, that wasnt used for that purpose before. As far as a compost bin,,,, not sure,, it will hold some of the chemicals in it,, but will it affect the compost? dont know. Guess it would depend on how far your willing to go. Sounds like a good deal,, and it wont contact your food.

-- stan (sopal@net-port.com), April 12, 2001.

I'm not sure I'd want to take the chance. Antifreeze can have some nasty stuff in it. I have several of the 250 gal containers and 6 55 gal barrels that were used to haul apple concentrate and after 10 years I can still smell a slight apple smell. I don't know of anyway you could get the chemicals out of the plastic or neutralize it. Maybe you could rent a hot water pressure washer and steam clean it and then come up with a coating that you could spay on it. Sorry I'm not much help.

-- Kent in WA (kent@premier1.net), April 12, 2001.

I second the recommendation for high pressure, hot water cleaning. To get rid of the smell in plastic containers (not absorbed chemicals) I've had success with filling them with crumpled newspapers and leaving them for a few weeks. Good luck, and keep us posted. Polly

-- Polly (NNY) (oakridge@northnet.org), April 12, 2001.

high pressure wash should get rid of the smell,, and surface contaniments,, but wont rid it of the absorbes chemicals. Guess its still up to you to use it or not

-- stan (sopal@net-port.com), April 12, 2001.

Been studying on this since posting. Think I'll try the cleaning, then start composting a few clean up loads. I went to BioCycle Magazine web site and saw where composting is being used to eliminate contaminants on military bases. Thanks for the suggestions.

-- Jay Blair in N. AL (jayblair678@yahoo.com), April 12, 2001.

Hey, Jay...I have had success with the newpaper idea also. Came across it one day when I needed a plastic bucket for more needed storage space in my patio and decided to line it with newspaper and then fill it up. The newspaper completely absorbed the smell. I then, cleaned it with bleach and baking soda and after drying it out I couldn't tell anything had else had ever been in that plastic container. It had really been molded and full of mildew before that, Maybe it will absord the antifreeze even though it is alot more toxic. It is worth a try. Have fun, Dee

-- Dee (drebai@yahoo.com), April 18, 2001.

Jay,

If you can find a test for antifreeze (or something to indicate it's presence or level of contamination), do the test and then run a batch of compost. When you're finished, test it again. If the level has dropped considerably (into that safe zone - whatever that is), go ahead and open your business... antifreeze decontamination by biological process. Go ahead, I won't try to claim any rights to it.... ;)

Seriously, I would expect the biological to reduce the toxin levels.

Oh well, another day...

J

-- j (jw_hsv@yahoo.com), April 18, 2001.

Thanks for all the ideas! Some reading that I have been doing shows use of organics and biologics has become the prefered method of oil splill cleanup. They have microbes that thrive on the stuff. Chalk up another victory for organics.

-- Jay Blair in N. AL (jayblair678@yahoo.com), April 18, 2001.