The Safe Disposal of Hazardous Waste

If hazardous waste is not disposed of properly, it can result in the contamination of drinking water and the environment, bringing harm to children and other members of the population. Some of these hazardous wastes, as defined by the Environmental Protection Agency include battery acid, pesticides, cleaning products, paint, some photographic supplies, lighter fluid, gasoline, kerosene, nail polish remover and some types of acids. Some communities have different regulations on the disposal of hazardous wastes, so it is best to first check with local government offices before proceeding with the disposal.

Instructions

• 1

  Carefully read any warning labels on hazardous waste materials.

  Check the label on the package of the hazardous waste. Some of these labels contain disposal instructions but the majority of them don't. Read the label to properly identify if the material is hazardous or not. Warnings included in the instructions will indicate what type of hazardous material it is, whether it is flammable, toxic or reactive. Follow closely any disposal instructions contained in the label.

• 2

  Use as much of the product as you can before having to throw it away. The less of a hazardous material there is, the less damage it can do to the environment and the less work it will be to those needing to dispose of the material. If you simply can't use anymore of the material, check to see if a neighbor or friend will need it. Products such as paint thinner, solvents and cleaners can be stored in an airtight jar away from the reach of children and animals.

• 3

  Recycle any automotive oil at a service station.

  Recycle hazardous products such as motor oil and fuel oil. Some service stations will recycle these and filter them for their own use. Contact your county Extension Home Economics Agent for further details on collection programs in your community. Car batteries are often recycled by automotive stores.

• 4

  Pour any liquid hazardous waste into an absorbent material such as kitty litter, sawdust, paper towels or rags. This will turn the material into a solid, making it easier to dispose of. Turn paint into a solid by exposing it to the air which will cause it to dry and become solid. The material that is now solid can be disposed of with the household trash.

• 5

  Cleansers can be flushed down the toilet.

  Pour cleansers used to clean sinks, showers and toilets down a drain. If the product was made to clean these products, it is an indicator that it is safe to flush or drain. This should be done only if you do not have a septic tank. Pour the material slowly into the drain and allow the water to run for a minute afterward to ensure all the material was flushed. If the toilet is connected to a sewer system, antifreeze can also be flushed.

• 6

  Allow all hazardous waste containers to air dry and then neatly wrap them in several layers of newspaper. These containers may then be transferred to the household garbage to be thrown out.