After you’re done with soldering, you’re left with a solder sponge with minute amounts of solder in it. If you are using leaded solder, that contains minute amounts of lead. So, you shouldn’t just throw that in the trash, now should you? Previously, I’ve searched for info on this subject, and the consensus was this. If you’re just doing it personally for hobby electronics, it’s perfectly fine to throw it in the trash, that’s what your garbage and recycling companies will typically instruct you on. Because you’re not a business, the quantity isn’t big enough to be a concern. But, if you search for “recycle solder waste,” you will get a few options brought up.
So, the key to revisiting this subject. Some recycling companies are less generous than others in what they are willing to recycle. Indium Recycling does not recycle solder wipes, these have to be sent to a different recycler.
On the other hand, Alpha Recycling Services does recycle solder wipes. They will also recycle solder paste, so long as there is metal content within it, so that’s your go-to for recycling solder paste. And, by extension, you can ask them about recycling. Brass solder scour pads are also, in effect, copper with solder in it.
20200730/DuckDuckGo how to dispose of expired solder paste
20200730/https://electronics.stackexchange.com/questions/178407/how-to-dispose-of-solder-waste
20200730/DuckDuckGo recycle solder waste
20200730/https://www.indium.com/products/reclaim-and-recycle/solder-dross/
20200730/https://alphaassembly.com/Markets/Recycling-Services/
20200730/https://alphaassembly.com/Markets/Recycling-Services/Americas
20200730/https://alphaassembly.com/-/media/Files/CooksonElectronics/Markets/Reclaim-Services/ALPHA-RECLAIM-GUIDE-Reclaim-EN-US-04Nov19-BR.pdf?la=en&hash=293ACBD14DD094C64306628C38FDF928CAFB8B65