Authorities have reassured the public that the disposal of more than 470,000 litres of seized ethanol and alcoholic drinks will not harm the environment.

ALSO READ: 470,000 litres of ethanol to be discarded amid crackdown on illict alcohol

"The way the ethanol is being disposed of does not harm the environment,” said Thierry Murangira, spokesperson for the Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB), explained.

On August 1, the Rwanda Food and Drugs Authority (Rwanda FDA) revoked all import licences for neutral spirit (ethanol), a colourless, highly purified form of alcohol that typically contains 95–96% ethanol by volume.

The seized ethanol, which is no longer permitted for import into the country, will be disposed of at the Nduba landfill in Gasabo District.

Ethanol disposal presents significant challenges because of its extreme flammability and classification as hazardous waste.

"Before discarding the ethanol, the personnel were briefed by the Ministry of Environment. The ethanol being discarded was first diluted with water to avoid harm to the environment. This means that one litre of ethanol is diluted with four litres of water,” he explained.

ALSO READ: 50 in custody over illicit alcohol production, distribution

This means that 10 litres of ethanol would be diluted with 40 litres of water.

"This was thought about so that we do not solve one problem while creating another,” he said.

Protocol for safe ethanol disposal

The ongoing exercise across the country is being done according to the protocol for the safe, environmentally and socially sound disposal of alcoholic substances developed by the Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA).

The protocol determines that routine and targeted inspections aimed at cracking down on illegal activities may result in the confiscation of substantial quantities of ethanol-based products.

These include industrial or concentrated ethanol, commercially manufactured liquors, beers and wines, as well as traditional locally brewed and distilled beverages made from sorghum and bananas, such as Ikigage, Urwagwa and Kanyanga.

"Ethanol disposal creates major challenges because of its extreme flammability and its classification as hazardous waste,” the guide reads.

The appropriate disposal method depends largely on the ethanol concentration, volume and presence of contaminants.

ALSO READ: Rwanda FDA revokes all ethanol import licences over public health concerns

Alcoholic substances seized by authorities can be divided into three main categories, each with different risks and disposal requirements.

Category A – Concentrated/industrial ethanol

This category includes rectified spirit, denatured or non-denatured industrial ethanol and illicitly distilled spirits, with an ethanol content of approximately 40–96% v/v. This means ethanol makes up 40% to 96% of the total volume of the liquid.

These substances are highly flammable and can be toxic in high doses. Illicitly distilled products may also contain methanol, while their high resale value creates a risk of diversion or illegal reuse.

For Category A, the preferred disposal methods include diluting the ethanol with water to less than 20% v/v and discharging it into a permitted wastewater treatment facility or diluting it to below 20% v/v and transporting it to an approved landfill.

As a guide, 1 litre of ethanol requires approximately 4 litres of water.

If ethanol is suspected of being mixed or contaminated with other chemicals, it should not be treated as ordinary ethanol. Instead, it should be destroyed through controlled incineration at a facility legally authorised to handle hazardous or contaminated waste, such as Depot Kalisimbi, a company that provides hazardous waste management services.

Category B – Commercial liquors and wines

This category includes bottled or branded spirits and wines seized for reasons such as unlicensed sale, expired products or counterfeit labelling.

They typically contain 8-45% v/v ethanol. The main concerns include flammability, glass and packaging waste, counterfeit or expired products, and the risk of illegal resale.

For Category B, the preferred methods are controlled dilution with water to less than 20% v/v, followed by discharge into a permitted wastewater treatment facility, or controlled dilution followed by transportation to an approved landfill.

As a guide, 1 litre of ethanol requires approximately 3 litres of water.

Category C – Traditional/artisanal brews

This category includes flavoured alcoholic drinks, sorghum beer (Ikigage), banana beer (Urwagwa) and other fermented beverages.

They generally contain 2-14% v/v ethanol.

Although they have a lower flammability risk, releasing them untreated can cause environmental pollution because of their high biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and organic load. They also have a short shelf life and generally low resale value after seizure.

For Category C, the preferred method is composting it into a soil conditioner after mixing it with other biodegradable waste at an approved landfill.

ALSO READ: Standards body withdraws S-Mark for over 80 alcoholic beverages

How ethanol should be handled

According to REMA, waste ethanol should be collected in a designated, properly labelled and sealed container that is compatible with the chemical and secure enough to prevent leaks.

The container should be clearly labelled "Hazardous Waste” and marked with the full chemical name "Ethanol”, together with any other required information.

It should be stored separately from incompatible materials, particularly oxidising agents, acids and bases, to prevent dangerous chemical reactions.

The storage area should be cool, well-ventilated and designated for hazardous waste. It should be away from heat, sparks, open flames and other sources of ignition.

Collection, treatment and disposal should be carried out under the supervision of trained personnel or a designated joint team at an authorised hazardous-waste disposal facility.

REMA says incineration should only be used where other preferred options are not possible. Health-facility incinerators are excluded from ethanol incineration.

Where there are no wastewater treatment facilities and no nearby approved controlled landfill, an appropriate disposal site should be designated. An adequate pit must then be excavated to accommodate the products, which should be landfilled immediately.

Site selection for ethanol disposal

Where a disposal pit is required, the site should be at least 100 metres away from water bodies, wetlands, boreholes, residential areas, commercial areas and public places such as places of worship and markets, in line with legally defined buffer distances.

"Uncontrolled discharge into rivers, lakes, or any other water body, wetland, stormwater drainage, or open ground is prohibited under all circumstances, regardless of category, given the risk of fish kills, groundwater contamination, and breach of Rwanda's environmental legislation,” REMA says.

The requirement is intended to prevent ethanol and other organic waste from contaminating water sources and damaging aquatic ecosystems.

Health, safety and fire precautions

Concentrated ethanol should be treated as a flammable liquid.

Open flames and smoking should be prohibited in handling areas, along with uncontrolled electrical equipment.

Personnel should use appropriate protective equipment, including nitrile gloves, flame-resistant laboratory coats or overalls, and boots or closed-toe shoes.

Safety goggles should be used for eye and face protection. Where vapours are significant, personnel should use half-face or full-face respirators fitted with organic vapour cartridges.

Fire-extinguishing equipment suitable for flammable liquids should be available during handling and disposal.

Spill kits containing appropriate absorbent materials, such as sand, fire blankets or water, should also be available at the disposal site in case of accidental release.

Disposal of ethanol containers

Ethanol containers should be treated as chemical or flammable-waste containers, particularly where they still contain ethanol or significant residues.

Any leftover ethanol should be treated as hazardous waste and kept separate from household or general waste.

Containers that may still contain ethanol or its vapour should not be burned, incinerated, punctured, crushed or cut.

They should be completely emptied and rinsed before further handling, then stored temporarily in a cool, well-ventilated area away from flames, sparks, heat and direct sunlight.

Documenting the disposal

A joint team must witness and co-sign the disposal, with photographs or video taken from the beginning to the completion of the activity.

The team should record the actual volumes disposed of by each method and reconcile them with the volumes recorded at the time of seizure and during storage.

Where incineration is used, the receiving facility’s waste-acceptance and destruction certificate must be retained as proof of proper disposal.