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Household Hazardous Waste
What Is Household Hazardous Waste?
The common household is a significant contributor of pollution by introducing common household products into our environment. The average American household generates 15 pounds of household hazardous waste (HHW) each year.
Typical household hazardous wastes include:
- Cleaning products
- Household batteries
- Paints & solvents
- Insect/weed killers
- Expired medications
- Mercury thermometers and thermostats
- Fluorescent bulbs
- Automotive care products & fluids
If these products are disposed of improperly, they can find their way into our water supply, the air we breathe, or harm fish and other animals.
Products are considered hazardous if they have one or more of these properties:
| TOXIC | May cause injury, disease, or death upon ingestion, absorption or inhalation. |
|---|---|
| FLAMMABLE | Can be ignited under almost all temperature conditions. |
| CORROSIVE | A chemical, or its vapors, that can cause deterioration or irreversible alteration in body tissues at the site of contact, and deteriorate or wear away the surface of a material. |
| IRRITANT | Causes soreness or inflammation of the skin, eyes, mucous membranes or respiratory system. |
Every time you buy a household product, ask yourself the following questions first:
- Do I really need to use this?
- Check the ingredients of products you will bring into your home before you purchase them.
- Ask yourself if there is a less toxic alternative available that will do the job.
- How much do I really need?
- If you must buy a product containing a hazardous substance, buy only the amount you will use.
- Safely store products in their original containers and labels at all times; keep out of reach of children and pets.
- How will I recycle or dispose of this when I am finished?
- Before you buy it, think of how you will recycle or dispose of the product, if you have any left over.