Pesticides, batteries, cleaners, oils, and paints contain hazardous ingredients that call for special care during storage and disposal. These household products are considered hazardous waste because they can explode, catch fire, and are toxic and corrosive.
Risks Posed by Household Hazardous Waste
Because of the dangers posed by household waste, environmental health authorities urge the public the store dispose of them properly. The effects of improper disposal of these waste materials might not be apparent, but these products are associated with environmental pollution and can impact human health.
Certain types of household hazardous waste, for instance, can cause serious injury to sanitation workers and contaminate water systems if they are just thrown down drains or toilets. Disposing of paints, thinners, and paints into the ground or trash, for instance, can damage the sewage system and destroy septic tanks, which can lead to the contamination of groundwater, which we depend on for drinking water and recreation. These forms of waste can also pose direct health threats to pets and children if they are just left around the house.
Recommended Practices for Storing and Disposing of Hazardous Waste
It is essential to monitor how you store and dispose of products that contain potentially hazardous substances in your home.
- Read Product Labels
Make sure to read the product labels since they contain disposal directions that can reduce the risk of the product leaking, exploding and posing hazards. Follow the instructions on how to correctly use and store the products to prevent any accident.
- Keep Products in Their Original Containers
Hazardous products need to be in their original containers as much as possible. In instances when the containers leak, use new containers but avoid using food containers such as soft drink bottles. Store the goods upright with their lids secured tightly to prevent leaks. Remember that the empty vessels of hazardous waste can still pose hazards because residual chemicals might remain. Handle them carefully.
- Do Not Throw Hazardous Waste as Regular Trash
Because household hazardous waste contains potentially dangerous substances, disposing of them is not the same as throwing away regular trash. Do not pour paint down the drain or the regular trash since leaking paint spills out of the waste collection vehicle and causes an unsightly mess that can be difficult to clean up. Dumping these waste products on the ground can cause the substances to travel directly to surface or groundwater.
- Take Hazardous Waste to Collection Centers
Check out if your community has collection centers involved in the safe management and disposal of hazardous materials. If there is none, you might want to drop off these products in service providers that help with proper placement of toxic waste. Providers that specialize in hazardous waste disposal in Utahcan collect your household chemicals from your home and take charge of disposing of or recycling these products properly.
Improper storage and disposal of hazardous waste can pose a risk to health and the environment. Do your part in keeping your community and everybody safe by following these recommended practices.
Meta Title: A Guide to Getting Rid of Hazardous Waste
Meta Description: The improper disposal of household waste can pose a risk to the environment and public health. Do your part in keeping the community safe by disposing of these materials properly.