Collect Your Household Hazardous Waste
January 21, 2010 – 1:13 am
Hazardous waste is usually any product that has a label with the words Poison, Danger, Warning or Caution. Often times these types of wastes are stored away in our garages or basements where they just take up room. However, it’s important to properly deal with household hazardous waste, because a hazardous waste product is at least one of the following: toxic, flammable, corrosive or reactive. Do you want these dangerous items lying around your house?
Fortunately, your local recycling center probably has an annual household hazardous waste collection days. These are certain times when they accept items such as non-latex paint, herbicides, aerosol cans, photo chemicals, asbestos, medicines, gasoline, etc.
It’s important to find out exactly what the collection service accepts, because they might not take latex paint. However, you can still dispose of these products properly. To dispose of latex paint, use cat litter or sand to dry up the unused paint. Then replace the lid and put it in your trash. If you have paint cans that are 1/3 full that can be reused, contact your local recycling center to see if they know of any non-profits that are in need of paint.
Non-hazardous, reusable items such as Styrofoam egg cartons and peanuts, art supplies and other craft supplies can be given to schools as well as non-profit agencies. This is a more resourceful way to deal with these items instead of sending them to a landfill.
As for dealing with household hazardous wastes, a quick solution is to limit the amount of hazardous waste products you purchase. At the very least, protect your family by placing “Poison Help” Mr. Yuk stickers on dangerous products. For a free sheet of Mr. Yuk stickers, send a self-addressed, postage prepaid envelope to: Free Mr. Yuk Stickers, Pittsburgh Poison Center, 3705 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213.
Recycling household hazardous waste helps protect the environment as well as your family. No one’s home should be a breeding ground for potential accidents.
Popularity: 1% [?]
