Benzine Posted November 16, 2013 Report Share Posted November 16, 2013 I have several jars of some commercial glazes, that were left from a previous teacher. I kept them around for a few years, but they aren't very popular, with my students. I am also not sure, whether or not they are food safe, which may be one reason, they don't get much use. I do know, because of their labels, they have things like soluble copper and cadmium in them. So I'm fairly certain that I shouldn't just throw the glaze in the trash, or wash it down the drain. I've seen people here recommend that similar toxic elements can be fired, to make them inert, then disposed of. So I was thinking of going this route. I made a large bowl, for this purpose. My question is, does this seem like a good method for disposal? Second, most of said glazes have become caked in the jars. Can I just dump and/ or crumble several of the cakes into the bowl? In other words, is there such a thing as too much glaze inside the bowl, in this case? I just don't want the glaze to crack the bowl, during the firing and leak all over my kiln. Thoughts/ Suggestions? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JBaymore Posted November 16, 2013 Report Share Posted November 16, 2013 I've seen people here recommend that similar toxic elements can be fired, to make them inert, then disposed of. So I was thinking of going this route. I was at least one of the peoople mentioning this method. Not sure about others... but this has been a "quick and dirty" solution for a long while. Assuming you are in the States here....... Legality of this is kinda' "relative". The odds are VERY good that unless your institution is a pretty big operation that you fall into the category of small generator (counting all toxics from all the businesses sources). Which means that technically you are not required to use a hazardous waste disposal firm. This approach is about as "stable" and "environmentally conscious" as you can get. Other than using a reputable waste disposal company. It renders the materials reasonably well tied up in the developing glass. Then it can be landfilled. One key here is to use a clay body for the containment bowl that is somewhat refractory at the temperature to which you are firing the waste. The second most important key is that the containment bowls has to be THICK. You are not making a "bowl"... you are making a "hazardous waste disposal container". Typically I make these on the order of 1 inch thick. Make the form stable....... not a narrow foot contact area. A low straight walled cylinder works great. They need to be bisque fired before loading with the waste. Place the container in the kiln on a bed of alumina powder. Don't overfill.... but because the mass reduces, you can heap it up a bit. Don't fire the materials to a full melt. Meaning you are not trying to get a full glassy pool in that bowl. You want somethiong more like a rock. If the materials are cone 9 kind of stuff... maybe fire to cone 6. If you go to full fusion....... which would be the ideal; case...... the odds of the containment bowl failing and you having a "kiln disaster" increase greatly. If you don't know the overall melting point of the mess of stuff........ you might have to use a "best guess" for the starting cone and then re-fire upward if the mass has not turned into a "rock". best, .........................john Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted November 16, 2013 Report Share Posted November 16, 2013 Another solution can be Depending on if they have this service in your area/state We have a toxic drop off twice a year in our county its for things like nasty lead paint etc They take small amount for a flat 5$ fee This is for non-commercial users I like the firing idea a lot but if your state has this service may as well use it. Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wyndham Posted November 16, 2013 Report Share Posted November 16, 2013 Make some sculptural pieces, weird, wild abstracts, glaze them with a mix of all the glazes combined and sell it for a fortune as modern art in a gallery that believes in the Emperors New Clothes. I just want 15 % when they sell Wyndham Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Babs Posted November 17, 2013 Report Share Posted November 17, 2013 Science dept. in most institutions have by requirement a method of disposing of hazardous waste. Perhaps this will save on energy...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Babs Posted November 17, 2013 Report Share Posted November 17, 2013 Retain them as you are and use them for their intended purpose as the future warrants. You could quietly disallow their use. Don't make them your problem. They are labeled, continue to account for them during inventories. This is a school issue that you did not create, you inherited it. Bring admin into the decision process, let them own it. hey if they are in your area they are your problem. Lock them up and inform the Occupational and health officer on your site, and enquire as above, the Science Dept. method of disposal. Due diligence I think is the current term, you know about this prob. don't do anything, your negligence... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benzine Posted November 17, 2013 Author Report Share Posted November 17, 2013 After seeing John, and others post so many things regarding the environmental impact of what we do, I can't in good conscience just toss them, or wash them down the drain. And John, I do indeed believe it was you, who I saw recommend the firing method for disposal. Your description of a proper firing vessle, is why I asked. Mine is a good size, but far too thin, and made of a low fire clay body. I do have some Raku clay, would this be a better option? The glaze is low fire (cone 04). So should I fire it to say cone 06, or even 08? Basically, I am making a crucible of sorts right? Make some sculptural pieces, weird, wild abstracts, glaze them with a mix of all the glazes combined and sell it for a fortune as modern art in a gallery that believes in the Emperors New Clothes. I just want 15 % when they sell Wyndham According a former employee, a local monthly-fee membership studio mixed all their glaze remnants into a "house glaze" which could be used without charge. I would imagine the house glaze was usually black. I would agree. I know quite a few Art teachers do something similar, and call it "Mystery Glaze". I thought of doing this, but it would likely take me a while to get rid of and not solve the toxicity issue. Make some sculptural pieces, weird, wild abstracts, glaze them with a mix of all the glazes combined and sell it for a fortune as modern art in a gallery that believes in the Emperors New Clothes. I just want 15 % when they sell Wyndham Too high. I'll give you seven percent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wyndham Posted November 17, 2013 Report Share Posted November 17, 2013 7% of nothing is is better than nothing at all Wyndham Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PSC Posted November 17, 2013 Report Share Posted November 17, 2013 Is your school in a larger school system? In my area all the counties supplies if not needed in one school are taken back and redistributed to another teacher or school that can use them and what can not be redistributed sold off as surplus individually, in lots or at auction if it is large equipment. Your glaze problem might be another teachers windfall. Or Attain permission to donate the glazes to a adult community pottery program. I teach at a community center and have no budget...i mean this literally...i receive no funds for supplies, equipment, or upkeep. We run on donated supplies, equipment, and i try to upkeep it all. I love donations and i am sure a local community center in your area would love a couple of new glazes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biglou13 Posted November 18, 2013 Report Share Posted November 18, 2013 Like norm says.... We keep a trash can with water in it sort do a glaze cleaning bucket for cleaning glaze drips, cleaning brushes disposing of glazes, cups that you painted glaze on but probably cross contaminated.etc etc ..in a period of time little settle.. Decant...... Strain bring to glaze constiency strain again, this becomes. "BOB". Aka bottom of barrel glaze. It is never the same but sometimes it's quite spectacular. The. If it absolutely sucks. Off to hazardous waste collection. http://s377.photobucket.com/user/biglouec/media/IMG_0899.jpg.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcia Selsor Posted November 18, 2013 Report Share Posted November 18, 2013 I believe I also mentioned this method of firing the glaze for dispel. If there is a really thick melted glaze in a bowl shape and not a waste disposal shape, the glaze can cause the container to fail , as John mentions. I have seen a student get a thick glaze in a nicely thrown piece and it will crack several days after cooling due to expansion and contraction differences. So do as John suggests, and make the container heavy duty and under fire the glaze before it is fluid. Marcia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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