WHAT IS HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE?
Household hazardous waste are any hazardous materials used in your home that is no longer wanted. Hazardous materials are any solid, liquid, or gas that can harm people, other living organisms, property, or the environment. Hazardous waste can be grouped into one of the following catagories:
- TOXIC: Poisonous or lethal if inhaled, touched or swallowed.
- FLAMMABLE: Ignites easily.
- CORROSIVE: Could cause permanent damage to cloth, metal or skin if touched.
- REACTIVE: Produces deadly fumes or could cause an explosion.
REDUCING HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE
You can reduce the amount of household hazardous waste you produce by following these best management practices:
Read labels; purchase the least toxic products for your home. Products are not labeled “hazardous,” so look for these key words:
- DANGER: highly toxic, flammable or corrosive
- POISON: highly toxic
- WARNING: moderately toxic
- CAUTION: slightly toxic
Buy only what you need. Use the product correctly (wear the proper protection and use the right amount). Reseal the unused portion of products between uses. Store products safely. Do Not mix chemicals together! Donate excess products to neighbors or local organizations.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
Improper storage of chemicals in your home could prove harmful to children or pets and be a fire hazard. Chemicals poured down the drain pollute our drinking water and can contaminate our septic tanks or waste water treatment facilities. When thrown in the trash, some household hazardous waste could harm sanitation workers. What we do with our household hazardous waste can affect everyone!
OTHER TYPES OF HAZARDOUS WASTES:
Pharmaceuticals
For a list of controled substances click here.
Biohazard Sharps