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Household Hazardous Waste Products

Household products are hazardous when the product contains the words danger, poison, warning or caution. Household products can become hazardous waste due to improper disposal techniques, such as pouring products down the drain or placing them in garbage cans. Leftover household hazardous products found within your home are deemed household hazardous wastes (HHW), as indicated by the Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA. Many HHW products are in the common household.

  1. Batteries

    • Batteries are a common household hazardous waste.

      While batteries provide a source of power to many electronics within your home, disposing of batteries improperly is harmful to the environment. According to the EPA, many batteries are created with mercury, lead and cadmium. When batteries are thrown into the garbage instead of being recycled, they can leach into solid waste landfills and soil and expose water sources to heavy metals.

    Light Bulbs

    • Some bulbs contain mercury.

      Energy efficient light bulbs, including fluorescent bulbs, high intensity discharge bulbs (HID) and compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL) contain a small amount of mercury. Bulbs that are thrown into the trash eventually reach a solid waste landfill or become incinerated. Mercury can be released into the environment through the bulbs breaking or leaking.

    Cleaning Products

    • Animals can be impacted by HHW.

      Various cleaning products are hazardous. Bleach, ammonia, disinfectants, detergents and toilet bowl cleaners impact the environment when discarded improperly. Cleaning products can contaminate groundwater, lakes and other water sources. Many household detergents contain phosphates. Phosphates contribute to the development of algae blooms, which suffocate marine life by absorbing oxygen within the water sources. Cleaners that contain alkylphenol ethoxylates have caused reproductive problems in wildlife, as reported by the EPA. Water and air quality can also be affected by cleaning products.

    Antifreeze

    • Antifreeze can be composed of a variety of materials that include ethylene glycol, methanol, ethanol or propylene glycol. Antifreeze is predominantly used as an automotive cooling system. Antifreeze that is dumped on land or down drains can disrupt sewer systems, cause water quality issues, and harm humans and wildlife.

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