Household hazardous materials account for only 2% of residential waste, but cause the majority of pollution problems associated with landfills.
Some wastes are poisonous to humans or wildlife, while others can cause cancer, birth defects or other serious medical problems.
Once you buy something you are also responsible for disposing of it properly.
Products such as motor oil contain toxic chemicals and metals (hydrocarbons, lead, zinc, arsenic, chromium and cadmium) that will contaminate ground water, drinking water and freshwater wildlife habitats.
One litre of motor oil can contaminate two million litres of drinking water.
Check the label. Look for the following warning words: poison, toxic. corrosive, volatile, flammable, inflammable, combustible, explosive, danger, caution, warning, or harmful.
Never eat, drink or smoke where hazardous products are being used. Keep products in their original containers. If you do have to use a different container be sure to label adequately in case of accidental ingestion and for safe use and disposal.
Some household hazardous wastes shouldn't be taken to a landfill because they can be recycled or used as an energy saving fuel.
Household hazardous wastes should never be flushed into septic systems or down sewer drains because these wastes can kill the active beneficial bacteria either in your septic tank or at the waste water treatment facility.
Garbage collectors and landfill workers can be injured by exploding aerosol cans, splashing chemicals or poisonous fumes created by mixed chemicals. Chemical reactions can also cause fires in garbage collection trucks.
When transporting household hazardous wastes to a collection site, remember that these are dangerous substances. Businesses or industries transporting the same wastes would be required to adhere to a number of safety and handling regulations.
If you recycle just 10 litres of used oil it can generate enough electricity to run the average household for almost 24 hours.
The average household has between 15 and 40 litres of materials that are hazardous to human health or to the environment.
