Things You'll Need
Construction grade plastic bags
Plastic drop cloths or tarps
Mortar is a dry mixture of fine masonry sand and cementitious ingredients. When this dry blend is mixed with water, it hardens as it dries and becomes impermeable to water. Mortar is used as the cementing agent in concrete and as a bonding agent between bricks and blocks. Because it hardens when exposed to water, mortar should not be disposed of in drains because it can block water flow. In addition, it contains harmful chemicals. It should be treated as hazardous waste.
Step 1
Wrap unused dry mortar in construction-grade plastic bags. For small amounts of mortar, place the plastic package in the trash. Take large quantities of unused mortar to a hazardous waste disposal facility.
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Step 2
Break up cement or structures that contain mortar and collect all pieces. Place the pieces in plastic bags and dispose of them at a hazardous waste disposal site or take them to a crushing company.
Step 3
Minimize the amount of mortar to dispose of by mixing only small quantities at a time. Do not mix more than you will need for a job.
Tip
Protect the watertable when mixing mortar by spreading plastic drop cloths or tarps over the ground in the work area. Contact your county extension service or waste management authority for locations of mortar disposal sites.
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