After transferring a solid from filter paper, what should you do with the filter paper?

After transferring a solid from filter paper, what should you do with the filter paper?

• A. Rinse and reuse the filter paper
• B. Save for next experiment
• C. Place in recycling
• D. Throw the filter paper in the trash

Answer: (D)

After transferring a solid, the filter paper is contaminated with that solid (and possibly other reagents). Reusing it risks cross-contamination and skewed results in future experiments. Rinsing and reusing won’t remove all residues and can spread contamination. Recycling used filter paper isn’t appropriate because residues could contaminate the recycling stream. So, the proper safety practice is to throw the filter paper in the trash, following any local rules for hazardous waste if the residue is hazardous.

After transferring a solid, the filter paper is contaminated with that solid (and possibly other reagents). Reusing it risks cross-contamination and skewed results in future experiments. Rinsing and reusing won’t remove all residues and can spread contamination. Recycling used filter paper isn’t appropriate because residues could contaminate the recycling stream. So, the proper safety practice is to throw the filter paper in the trash, following any local rules for hazardous waste if the residue is hazardous.