Rock tumbling is a great hobby that involves polishing rough stones and turning them into beautiful, smooth gems. But the process creates a slurry you need to dispose of.
We’re going to go over several ways to dispose of rock slurry that are safe and environmentally sound. We’ll also talk about exactly what it is and what happens if you dispose of it improperly.
What’s Rock Slurry?
Rock tumbler slurry is the mixture of water, abrasives, and fine rock particles that are left behind after the tumbling process. It contains tiny rock fragments, grit residues, and sometimes even traces of polishing compounds.
It has a texture like mud, but if it’s allowed to dry, it turns into something like cement. That’s why proper disposal matters.
It’s Non-Toxic, But…
The good news is, slurry isn’t bad for the environment. It’s just minerals, dirt and water. But you don’t want to put it down drains because it solidifies when it dries out. That could become a pretty serious plumbing bill.
Note that you can strain out the water and put that down the drain. But it’s even better to pour it out elsewhere.
Dump It
Since it’s not toxic, you can safely pour it out in your backyard, in a gravel driveway, in the gravel beside a road, etc. This is definitely the easiest way to do it.
Some people dig a hole in the backyard and put all their slurry in it. This is fine to do, but not necessary.
Don’t do this near plants, since it’s like dumping quickcrete on them. But you can let the chunks and sediment settle, and then strain out the water and use it like gray water to water plants or the lawn.
Solidification Method
Another method is solidification. It’s a lot like one of the few safe ways to dispose of paint. You add a solidifying agent to the slurry to transform it into a solid waste material that can be safely disposed of. Here’s how you can do it:
- Allow the slurry to settle for a few hours or overnight. This will help separate the solids from the liquid.
- Carefully pour off the clear liquid, leaving behind the concentrated slurry at the bottom of the container.
- Add a solidifying agent such as cement, kitty litter, or a commercial sludge solidifier to the slurry. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the appropriate amount to use.
- Mix the slurry and solidifying agent thoroughly until it forms a thick, paste-like consistency.
- Transfer the solidified waste into a plastic bag or container and dispose of it according to local regulations.
Dry It Out
Another method that takes longer is to put the slurry in a container, like a 5 gallon plastic bucket, and put it out where it will get sunlight. Over time, it’ll dry out, and then you can break up the chunks of it and throw it away, use it in place of gravel outdoors, or use it in art projects.
You can speed this up by filtering the water out through a fine sieve. The water can go down a drain safely or just be poured into the yard.
Then the rest will dry out and you can break it up.