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Household Hazardous Waste
What is Household Hazardous Waste?It is any material discarded from the home that may, due to its chemical nature, pose a threat to human or environmental health if handled improperly. It may be ignitable, corrosive, explosive, poisonous or have other combinations of dangerous properties. And, it's difficult to control because it comes from diverse sources.Industrial waste disposal is strictly regulated. Disposal of household hazardous waste is not, even though it may contain the same toxic substances. Many of the products, which you use for housework, gardening, home-improvement or car maintenance contain hazardous materials. They can endanger your health and pollute the environment. How BIG is the Problem?Improper use and disposal of hazardous household products has caused poisoning, chemical burns, exposure to toxic fumes, contamination of ground water, fish kills, and explosions in sewers, garbage trucks, landfills, and homes. Small amounts of hazardous chemicals are widespread throughout our homes, garages, and storage sheds - often unsafely stored. The good news is that many households are beginning to use local Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facilities to properly dispose of these products. According to "Solid Waste in Washington State – Eleventh Annual Status Report” by Department of Ecology, 15.8 million pounds of Household Hazardous Waste was collected in 2001 statewide.
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Flammable: can be easily set on fire. |
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Corrosive: can burn or destroy living tissue. |
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Toxic: can cause injury or death through ingestion, inhalation or absorption. |
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Explosive: can explode through exposure to sudden shock, heat or pressure. |
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Reactive: may generate excessive heat, noxious fumes, violent reaction or explosion when mixed with certain substances. |
Avoiding Hazardous Waste
The next step is to
find ways to reduce and recycle household wastes. To reduce the amount
of toxic trash, use up the product according to label directions. Any
banned products should be taken to the Grays Harbor County Household
Hazardous Waste Collection Facility. Keep wastes in their original containers.
The best way to prevent hazardous waste is to buy and use less hazardous
products. For example, instead of using slug poison, trap slugs in shallow
pans filled with beer. There are many non-toxic or
less toxic alternatives to hazardous household chemicals. For a
list of these alternatives, you may click on the link above or call
the Household Hazardous Waste Facility, and they will gladly send you
additional information.