No, kitty litter is NOT an acceptable hazardous waste cleaning agent.
Kitty litter is made from clay or silica-based materials. Besides being used as a place for cats to do their business, it’s sometimes used to absorb minor spills like oil or paint in non-hazardous situations.
While it may seem tempting to buy an extra box next time you’re at the store in case your facility has a minor hazardous waste spill, it’s simply not a good idea and may put you in violation of the law.
Why Kitty Litter Shouldn’t Be Used During Hazardous Waste Spills
Kitty litter is not designed to neutralize or properly contain hazardous materials. When hazardous chemicals are
spilled, they may react with the components of the litter, potentially creating harmful fumes or exacerbating the contamination.
Using kitty litter also does not meet regulatory requirements for hazardous waste cleanup and can lead to improper disposal practices.
Proper hazardous waste cleanup requires specialized absorbents, neutralizing agents and containment procedures tailored to the specific chemical involved.
- Acid Spills: Neutralized using sodium bicarbonate, calcium carbonate, or sodium carbonate before being safely absorbed
- Base (Caustic) Spills: Treated with citric acid or acetic acid to bring the pH to a neutral level
- Solvent and Oil Spills: Absorbed using activated carbon, absorbent pads or specialized spill kits designed for hydrocarbons
- Heavy Metal Contamination: Requires chelating agents that bind to metals, preventing them from leaching into the environment
- Biological or Infectious Waste Spills: Disinfected with EPA-approved disinfectants before being properly contained and removed
Hazardous waste cleanup also follows strict protocols, including:
- Evacuation and Containment: This ensures affected areas are cleared and the spill is contained to prevent further contamination.
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Trained responders wear appropriate PPE, including gloves, masks and full-body suits when necessary.
- Absorption and Neutralization: The correct absorbent or neutralizing agent is applied based on the chemical properties of the spill.
- Proper Disposal: The collected waste is securely stored in DOT-approved hazardous waste containers and transported to a licensed disposal facility.
Improper handling of hazardous waste spills, including using materials like kitty litter, can result in regulatory violations, environmental harm and serious health risks.
Here’s What Can Happen If You Use Kitty Litter
While it seems unlikely that a company or organization has used kitty litter to clean up a toxic mess, it has happened.
About a decade ago, the City of San Luis Obispo in California paid an $8,690 penalty for illegally dumping at the city’s corporate yard. According to the case, a manager with the city’s utilities department told employees to empty cans of acetones, varnish, epoxy, paints and creosotes onto the yard’s asphalt parking lot. This lot was located near a wetlands area.
After a local newspaper broke the story, the city responded that it was only five gallons of paint, that the deliberate dumping was limited to an area covered by asphalt and that the pouring out of paints to dry for disposal is an allowable action. However, photos and emails made it clear that what was dumped was much more than latex paint. In fact, one photo showed more than nine legible can labels, with only one as latex paint. Other labels showed epoxy, rust remover, stain and enamel paint.
The California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) tested soil samples in the area around the corporate yard a year after the illegal dumping occurred and found creosote in the soil.
Two weeks after the chemicals were disposed of on the ground, a hazardous materials coordinator with the city inspected the site and determined the release did not meet a reporting threshold. That employee supervised the cleanup, which should have required the removal of the chemicals by trained hazardous waste workers. Instead, employees poured industrial kitty litter onto the spill and transported the chemicals to a household dump area, according to DTSC documents.
Why A Hazmat Team Should Be Your Next Call
If your facility experiences a hazardous chemical spill, your first call should be to a professional hazmat team. These trained professionals have the expertise, equipment and regulatory knowledge necessary to handle hazardous materials safely and in compliance with federal and state regulations.
A qualified hazardous waste disposal company does more than just transport chemicals to a designated facility—it also provides crucial hazmat cleanup services. This ensures that spills are properly contained, the affected area is decontaminated and all hazardous waste is safely removed without posing a risk to employees, the environment or your business's legal standing.
By working with a company that specializes in both hazmat cleanup and hazardous waste disposal, you can ensure full compliance with safety protocols and avoid costly fines or environmental damage.
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