Household & Hazardous Waste
Americans generate 1.6 million tons of household hazardous waste per year. The average home can accumulate as much as 100 pounds of household hazardous waste in the basement or garage and in storage closets. When improperly disposed of, household hazardous waste can create a risk to people and the environment. Paints, cleaners, oils, batteries, and pesticides are examples of just a few of the common household hazardous wastes that need special disposal. For more information about the potential health effects, ingredients, and recommended handling of specific household products, please visit the National Institute of Health, National Library of Medicine, Household Products Database (http://www.nlm.nih.gov/pubs/factsheets/householdproducts.html).
Do not pour hazardous waste down the drain. Household hazardous waste products dumped down the drain are most often not removed by the wastewater treatment process. In fact, harmful chemicals from these wastes end up in rivers, creeks and lakes where they can eventually enter the natural food chain. Additionally, pouring hazardous waste down the drain can endanger the health of municipal workers, disrupt the wastewater treatment process, and accumulate pollutants in aquatic ecosystems.
There are steps that people can take to reduce the amount of household hazardous waste they generate. Protection of human health and the environment is everyone's concern, and it is very important to ensure that hazardous wastes are safely stored, handled and disposed of properly. Minimizing the hazardous wastes in our homes can help reduce the impact on the environment. Here are some suggestions:
-Compare labels and ingredients when purchasing a product; if a less toxic product will work just as well, buy it.
-Buy only the quantity you need for the job. If there is none left over, there is no waste to dispose of.
-Use products according to label directions - more is not necessarily better.
-Consider non-toxic alternatives such as a metal snake to clear a drain instead of a chemical drain cleaner.
-Never mix cleaning products - dangerous reactions can occur.
For more information on proper disposal of household hazardous waste, go to the Eagle County website or contact the Eagle County Solid Waste Manager at (970) 328-3471.