Melamine is not harmful to the environment. In the event of emission to water, soil or air, its impact is minimal.
Water
Melamine has low solubility in water and low toxicity to aquatic life. Although the product is biodegradable in adapted wastewater purification systems, emission to water is better avoided, as its biodegradability in nature may be poor, resulting in accumulation in surface water or sludges.
Soil
Toxicity data and melamine’s physical and chemical properties suggest that the product has only low toxicity for soil organisms (including vegetation). Even in the event of a severe spillage, it is unlikely that melamine would harm soil organisms, and given the product’s low solubility in water, migration in soil is limited.
Air
Emissions of melamine into the air are not harmful, as any melamine dust will settle on the ground.
Disposal
- Incineration
Products containing melamine can be incinerated either in a municipal waste incinerator or in a dedicated incinerator. No significant toxic or harmful emissions occur in state-of-the-art incinerators. The energy generated at the incineration process is commonly used to generate steam and/or electricity.
- Landfill
Given the low toxicity and negligible migration of melamine in soil, landfill disposal of products containing melamine is not harmful to the environment.
