Household Hazardous Waste
To do your part to keep the environment clean, household waste should
be
reduced or recycled whenever possible. When this is not possible,
household waste must be properly disposed.
The average household contains between
3 and 10 gallons of hazardous
wastes. This includes
not only the obvious stuff marked POISON! with a
skull
and crossbones, but lots of other things we buy for
use around the house,
garage or garden.
Household Hazardous Waste is a lot more common than many realize
[see some examples]. Check your cupboards, if you look carefully, you'll
probably find a whole lot of potentially toxic materials. Look for anything
labeled with the words CAUTION, WARNING, POISON,
DANGER,
TOXIC, FLAMMABLE, CORROSIVE, OR REACTIVE.
It is illegal to throw hazardous wastes in the trash, pour them down a sink,
or
wash them down a storm drain. These hazardous wastes come back to haunt us,
polluting our air, water, and soil.
Find your nearest HHW Collection Center.
For more info on reducing and recycling your household waste, visit the
Recycling Page.
To learn more click on the following publications
Less Toxic Yard and Garden Guide: Learn how you can reduce the amount of pesticides in your yard and garden while keeping it beautiful! Learn about healthy alternatives to pest and weed control.
Moving Guide: Put Toxic Waste in Its Place!: Moving and don't know what to do with leftover items such as old paints, pesticides, or cleaners?
¿Mundaza?: ¡Ponga el desecho tóxico en su lugar!: Spanish moving guide.
Household Hazardous Waste Guide: A comprehensive guide on how and where to properly dispose of household hazardous items such as pesticides, household cleaners, paint, paint thinner, used motor oil and oil filters, and electronic waste such as computers and monitors. This guide also offers a comprehensive list of less toxic products and their uses.
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