Omar Khalid
Above-ground pools can be made from a variety of materials, including metal, plastic, and vinyl. When it comes time to dismantle and dispose of your pool, it's important to do so responsibly and adhere to local recycling and waste management guidelines. While you may not be able to recycle every part of your pool, many components are recyclable or reusable. Metals such as copper, bronze, and stainless steel can be sold to scrap yards, while vinyl is highly sought after by recyclers and normally recyclable. Inflatable pools and pool toys are often made from PVC, which is harder to recycle but can be recycled at certain facilities.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Recyclable materials | Polyethylene, Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), Vinyl, Metal, Plastic, Aluminum, Copper, Bronze, Stainless Steel, Galvanized Steel, ABS Plastic |
| Non-recyclable materials | Inflatable pools and pool accessories like floaties, made from PVC |
| Hazardous materials | Chlorine, Acids, Algaecides, Pool cleaning agents |
| Other disposal methods | Reuse, Resell, Donate, Junk removal services |
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What You'll Learn
Local recycling centres
Plastic Components
The plastic components of your pool, such as PVC pipes, pumps, and filter housings, may be recycled at local facilities. However, PVC is challenging to recycle due to its strength and not all centres accept it. Check with your local recycling centre to see if they can process PVC. ABS plastic, a dense and impact-resistant plastic found in valves, filter tanks, chlorinators, and pool pumps, is even less likely to be accepted for recycling.
Vinyl Components
Vinyl, a material used in pool covers, liners, and some pool sidings, is highly sought after by recyclers and normally recyclable in most areas. Contact your local recycling centre to confirm if they accept vinyl. If the item is too bulky, you may need to bring it to the centre instead of leaving it for curbside collection.
Metal Components
Metals such as copper, bronze, and stainless steel can be sold to scrap yards. Other types of metals, like galvanized steel, are accepted by most recycling programs. If you have a significant amount of metal, you can also consider selling or donating it through platforms like Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace.
Hazardous Chemicals
Hazardous chemicals like chlorine and acids must be disposed of properly. Check with your local recycling centre, landfill, or hazardous waste disposal facility to understand their capabilities and any specific drop-off requirements.
Concrete and Sand
If your pool has a concrete pad or sand base, these materials can often be recycled or reused. Check your local regulations for guidance on how to handle these materials.
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Hazardous chemicals
When removing an above-ground pool, it is important to handle the leftover materials responsibly and dispose of them in an eco-friendly manner. This includes properly disposing of hazardous chemicals.
Chlorine and acids are the most hazardous chemicals related to pools and need to be disposed of properly. They are necessary to keep pool water clean and disinfected, but they are also harmful and hazardous chemicals. Direct exposure can result in skin burns and irritations. The chemicals are also highly combustible, and as they mix, they can produce poisonous gases, creating a serious health hazard or even causing an explosion or fire. If not properly disposed of, these chemicals can seep into the ground and contaminate the soil and groundwater.
To properly dispose of hazardous pool chemicals, contact your local Solid Waste Authority to find out where and when to bring them. Many communities have local household hazardous waste collection programs a couple of times a year, while others offer routine drop-offs at their facilities. Check with the pool supply store you purchased the chemicals from, as they may have further information on proper disposal.
It is a good idea to get rid of old chemicals to keep them out of the reach of young children or animals. You can also add old chemicals to the pool if possible, but if you have switched sanitizers, or have more pool chemicals than you need, most landfills will be able to accept them.
Empty plastic bottles or containers that the pool chemicals are packaged in can often be recycled. Check with your local authority to find out how to recycle these. The community may or may not have curbside pickup for the recycling of emptied pool chemical containers.
Always follow the directions for proper disposal printed on the container’s label and follow community guidelines when disposing of pool chemicals and empty containers. As a home hazardous material product, be sure to read the safety data sheets to fully understand how to handle the material for disposal.
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Metals
Above-ground pools are typically made from either steel or aluminium. However, there are usually several different metals that can be recycled from an above-ground pool.
The first step in scrapping your pool is to drain the water. Depending on the pool's size, this process can take up to eight hours or more. You can use a submersible pump to drain the water, ensuring the exit side of the hose is placed in an area that won't cause flooding, such as a sewer drain or a well-draining spot in your yard.
Once the pool is drained, you can start dismantling it. You will need tools like saws, screwdrivers, and drills to take the structure apart. It is important to wear protective gear such as gloves, goggles, and sturdy footwear to ensure your safety. You will also need a dumpster or large waste container for the disposal of the pool materials.
Some of the metals that can be recycled from an above-ground pool include:
- Copper
- Brass
- Aluminium
- Steel
- Bronze
- Stainless steel
These metals can often be sold to scrap yards for cash. Copper, bronze, and stainless steel can be valuable and sold to scrap yards. Other types of metals, such as galvanized steel, are accepted by most recycling programs. Metals from pool pumps, filters, and heaters can be recycled, and some yards accept a wider variety of non-metal materials.
If you cannot recycle the metals directly, you can consider selling or donating them. Platforms like Craigslist, eBay, or Facebook Marketplace can connect you with people interested in reusing your pool materials. If your pool is in good condition, you can donate it to a local charity or community organization, such as the Boys & Girls Clubs or community centers. Schools and churches may also welcome the addition of a pool for their programs.
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Inflatable pools
If you are looking to recycle an inflatable pool, you will need to find a recycling centre near you that can accept it. You can check by looking for a recycling number on the pool or its packaging; if there isn't one, it is likely to be a 3, which means it will be difficult to recycle. You can also call your local recycling centre to ask if they accept PVC inflatables.
If you cannot find a recycling centre that accepts PVC inflatables, there are other options. You could try upcycling the pool yourself or finding a DIY recycling group that will take old inflatables to make things out of them. You could also repair your inflatable pool and continue using it, or gift it to someone else.
If you are looking to buy a new inflatable pool, you could opt for an eco-friendly alternative. These are usually made from polyethylene, the same plastic used to make soda and water bottles, which is easier to recycle. You could also look for pools made from thermoplastic polyurethane, a non-toxic and inert plastic.
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Dismantling and disposal
Dismantling and disposing of an above-ground pool is no small feat and requires careful planning and execution. Firstly, you will need to drain the pool using a submersible pump. Once drained, you can begin dismantling the structure using tools like screwdrivers and saws.
The next step is to identify the materials your pool is made of. This could include metal, plastic, vinyl, PVC, or a combination of these. The materials will dictate how you approach the dismantlement and which tools you will need. It is important to adhere to local recycling and waste management guidelines throughout the process.
If your pool is in good condition, you may wish to donate it to a local charity or community organisation, such as a community centre or school, which could give it a new lease of life. Alternatively, you could sell or donate the materials. Platforms like Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace can connect you with people interested in reusing your pool materials.
If you decide to recycle the materials, contact your local recycling centre to see if they accept metal, plastic, vinyl, and PVC. Metals like copper, bronze, and stainless steel can be valuable and can be sold to scrap yards. Vinyl is highly sought after by recyclers and is normally recyclable in most areas. You should be able to place it out for curbside collection, but if it is too bulky, you may need to bring it to a recycling centre.
PVC is typically recyclable in most areas, but it is important to check with your local facilities due to the challenging nature of recycling this material. PVC is usually ground down into fine particles, which can be reused to create new PVC components. If your local recycler doesn't take it, consider posting an ad for free pick-up.
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Frequently asked questions
Removing an above-ground pool involves draining the water, dismantling the structure, and properly disposing of the materials. You can do this by following your local recycling and waste management guidelines. Contact your local recycling center to see if they accept the materials your pool is made from, such as metal, plastic, or a combination of materials.
Metals such as copper, bronze, and stainless steel can be valuable and sold to scrap yards. Other types of metals such as galvanized steel are accepted by most recycling programs. Pool covers, liners, and some pool sidings are typically made of vinyl, which is normally recyclable in most areas. Some pool covers and solar blankets are made of polyethylene, which is highly valued by recyclers. PVC pipes can be recycled at many facilities, but it is crucial to check with your local facility due to the challenging nature of recycling this material.
If direct recycling isn’t an option, consider selling or donating your pool. Platforms like Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace can connect you with people interested in reusing your pool materials. If your pool is in good condition, donating it to a local charity or community organization could give it a new life. You can also repurpose your pool into something new, such as covering a wood pile with vinyl scraps.
