Relatively few companies can properly handle paste reclamation, due to the
~50% by volume amount of organics, not including the associated packaging.
This makes the material difficult to process [and even hazardous in regular
metal and dross reclamation plants] which is why dead paste has
comparitively little value for its weight. Incineration as Ryan describes
has been the "traditional" way to handle paste, although there was
discussion/speculation a year or so back on alternative methods.
It would be interesting to know if these came to anything....

-----Original Message-----
From: Ryan Jennens <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]>
Date: 20 June 1999 22:41
Subject: Re: [TN] Solder paste disposal


>Gary-
>
>        We send our empty solder paste containers back with our solder
dross, in a
>separate container, to be reclaimed.  I guess they burn up the containers,
>reclaim any available metal, and use the plastic as fuel for the furnace.
>They have all the necessary scrubbers, environmental gadgets, that a metal
>smelter must have.  Check with your dross reclamation company.  We use
>Alpha.
>
>Ryan Jennens
>TelGen Corporation
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: TechNet [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Garry Beaumont
>Sent: Sunday, June 20, 1999 4:10 PM
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: [TN] Solder paste disposal
>
>
>Hi
>Can anyone offer advice on the disposal (environmentally friendly) of the
>empty solder paste tubes?
>Does anyone clean the empty tube of solder paste residue leaving just
>the disposal of the plastic? If you do, how do you do it safely? Do you
>then rely on evaporation to recover the solids?
>What advice can anyone offer on disposal of the solder paste solids?
>
>
>Also how is the industry handling the disposal of Nickel - cadmium
>batteries?
>
>Any info on the above would be appreciated.
>Thanks - Garry Beaumont
>Email:garry [log in to unmask]
>