Explanation on the Non Reusable Packaging of Calcium Carbide

1. Name, material, specifications, and dangerous goods packaging markings of calcium carbide packaging containers;

2.  Integrity of packaging materials, design, packaging, storage and transportation;

The packaging is specialized for calcium carbide, and is designed, manufactured, and tested for "single use" and "specific loading Calcium Carbide".

(1) Physical and chemical properties of calcium carbide in packaging materials:

Calcium Carbide in contact with water releases flammable gases.Due to the chemical and physical properties of calcium carbide,the packaging container for calcium carbide must have excellent air tightness and be a sealed drum container.Otherwise, it will react with water and release flammable gas - acetylene, which will increase in heat. If it comes into contact with a fire source, it will ignite and explode.Causing harm to human, buildings, and transportation vehicles, especially human safety.

Due to the physical and chemical properties of calcium carbide, its packaging must strictly comply with packaging design rules in terms of design, testing, transportation, storage, and reaction with other chemical substances. Such as impact resistance, pressure resistance, tolerable transportation pressure, air tightness, etc., all have strict requirements.

(2) Physical damage that cannot be reused:

During the process of loading calcium carbide into containers, sealing, first transportation, and loading and unloading, the packaging may experience collision, compression, and wear, resulting in small cracks that are difficult to detect by the naked eye and structural fatigue of the packaging material. Meanwhile, due to transportation environment and other reasons, it is unable to meet safety standards again during transportation.

(3) Penetration and adsorption:

Calcium carbide is a solid, and there is currently no experimental data or theoretical evidence to prove that there will be a slow chemical reaction between calcium carbide and packaging drums. There is no relevant data on whether it will penetrate into the molecular gaps inside the packaging material or adsorb on the inner wall.But simple cleaning may not completely remove residues. If newly loaded goods react with residues or contaminate new products, it may pose a danger.There is a possibility of cross contamination.

(4) Packaging labeling and traceability issues:

The packaging barrel is printed with the production information of the exporting country's packaging, and dangerous goods need to undergo inspection and control by the local customs when exported. In international maritime transportation, the packaging information and cargo information contained in these packages are transmitted through shipping companies, maritime departments, international organizations, and institutions, with a certain degree of traceability.

 Possible issues that may arise from reusing:

·Error labeling: The original packaging contains hazard labels, product names, and other information from the previous contents. If used again, it is easy to cause the labeling to be inconsistent with the contents, leading to misleading information during loading, unloading, storage, and emergency response. In the event of an accident, firefighters or emergency personnel may take rescue measures based on incorrect identification, which could lead to catastrophic consequences.

·Cannot be traced: Legitimate dangerous goods packaging has its unique code and inspection records. Reusable packaging cannot provide clear and reliable historical usage records, and the safety chain is broken.

3. International and domestic regulations on dangerous goods packaging:

Almost all countries' laws (such as China's "Safety Production Law", "Regulations on the Safety Management of Hazardous Chemicals", and international transportation regulations, such as the United Nations "Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods", IMO/IMO-DGR/IATA-DGR, etc.) clearly stipulate that packaging used for the transportation of dangerous goods must undergo statutory performance testing and obtain certification, and is usually prohibited from being reused to contain dangerous goods.

Responsibility issue: If unauthenticated or reused packaging is used to transport dangerous goods, in the event of an accident, the relevant enterprises and individuals will bear huge legal responsibilities, including criminal penalties and huge compensation.

 4. Recycling and reuse:

Under extremely strict control, conditional reuse exists, but it is not something that ordinary enterprises or individuals can operate on their own:Certain specially designed containers, such as large storage tanks and steel cylinders, may be recycled by the original manufacturer and undergo professional, thorough testing, cleaning, repair, and re certification before being used to contain the same product in compliance with all regulations. Professional recycling enterprises: There are specialized compliant enterprises responsible for handling such packaging, and they have professional technology and equipment for evaluation and recycling.

 5. Summary and Important Tips

For the vast majority of users, the safest, most legal, and simplest approach is to treat all used hazardous material packaging as hazardous waste itself and entrust it to qualified hazardous waste treatment companies for professional disposal. Never clean or reuse it yourself.

In summary, prohibiting the repeated use of hazardous material packaging is not a waste, but a crucial safety measure. It avoids incalculable casualties, environmental damage, and property damage that may occur at a one-time cost. Therefore, the packaging of calcium carbide cannot be reused.

This files was compiled by Inner Mongolia Menghua Chemicals Co.,Ltd to provide technical support for packaging recycling and disposal for calcium carbide users at home and abroad.