hard water in your home? fix it!

Hazardous waste can be any type of waste that is harmful to others, including people and animals, or the environment. There are many types of hazardous waste you might find in your own home that should not be thrown away in an ordinary garbage can. Here is more information about identifying and disposing of hazardous waste properly.

Types of Hazardous Waste

You will find many different types of hazardous waste in your home, from the motor oil in your garage to the drain cleaner in your kitchen. These items are not safe to put into your trash can, and some should never be poured down a drain. Here are some common items that can be found in the home that should be treated as toxic or hazardous waste.

• Lighter fluid
• Pool chemicals
• Nail polish
• Drain cleaner
• Bug spray
• Paint
• Used motor oil
• Batteries
• Electronic items
• Fluorescent light bulbs
• Rat poison
• Photo processing fixer waste
• Acetone
• Solvents

How to Handle Hazardous Waste at Home

Not only is disposal important, but you need to keep in mind they can also be bad for your health and that of everyone in your home. Make sure the items are stored properly in your home, and are secure from pets and children. Keep them in locked cabinets, preferably high cabinets where a child can't reach them. Do not store hazardous items in food containers or anywhere near food and drinks you consume. Never mix hazardous or toxic items with anything else, even if it is all being disposed of. Read the label of each item to determine how it should be stored and disposed of.

Why it Shouldn't Go in the Garbage Can

You should never dispose of hazardous waste by putting in your garbage can or down the drain. There are multiple reasons for this. First of all, if you place these items in your trash can, it could mix with other chemicals or waste and cause a dangerous reaction in your home. Also keep in mind that what you put down the drain or into the trash could make its way into the groundwater or a nearby body of water. This can be disastrous for fish and wildlife. Plus, if you use a septic tank, putting hazardous materials down the drain could kill insects you want in your septic waste, as they help to process it.

How to Dispose of it Properly

Now that you understand a little more about this type of waste, you might be wondering exactly how to dispose of it. The best thing you can do is read the labels of each item. They will be descriptive in telling you the right and wrong way to dispose of it. If you can't see the label or have multiple items to dispose of, call your local hazardous waste site. Your local waste management company might also handle hazardous waste disposal by having you put these items into a separate container, or bringing it to your local dump. At the very least, they will provide you with contact information of a hazardous waste site. While you are storing the items for disposal, keep them in an area nobody else in your home can reach, and in a separate container from non-hazardous items.

Talk to experts likeA & S Sanitation Services for more information.