Is Aldex acceptable for use in California?

Aldex may be used to neutralize formalin and formaldehyde in the State of California. Hazardous glutaraldehyde waste must be treated before disposal. Treating less than 55 gallons of hazardous glutaraldehyde waste per month requires a Conditionally Exempt Small Quantity Treatment (CESQT) permit; treating more than 55 gallons per month would require a Permit by Rule (PBR). Both types of permit are issued by your local Certified Unified Program Agency (CUPA) (See “How do I get a permit in California?” below). Annual permit fees are less than collection costs and treating in office with the Aldex reduces the liability associated with collection/transportation of hazardous aldehyde wastes.

For formaldehyde and formalin wastes, the State of California has eliminated its certification process for neutralizers due to budget constraints and has advised us that there are currently no “certified” aldehyde neutralizer products available in the State; therefore, all generators should obtain a permit before using any neutralizer including Aldex.

The State of California also allows for the use of Aldex to treat non-hazardous glutaraldehyde waste without a permit. Call us for help regarding California or read on; glutaraldehyde waste degrades after activation and most likely will become non-hazardous within the allowed hazardous waste accumulation time. Generators should contact their glutaraldehyde product manufacturer for degradation time information to determine when their glutaraldehyde formula will become non-hazardous. As long as the degradation occurs unaided by the generator (i.e. no addition of heat, chemicals other than glycine, aeration or otherwise), and it occurs within the generator’s allowed accumulation time, and the degraded glutaraldehyde waste is no longer hazardous as determined by the generator, the generator can then use Aldex without a permit to safely dispose of their waste.