How to Dispose Hazardous Material

A big percentage of available consumer products can become hazardous if they are disposed of improperly. They contain toxic substances that are harmful to our body and environment. Make sure you plan to safely dispose of all batteries, paints, electronic gadgets and other common household items that have hazardous material.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Identify the hazardous material by reading the label on each product. If the label reads "wear gloves," then it may be toxic and damage your skin. Similarly, "Do not store in heat or near flames" means the material is inflammable.

2. Consider the best way to dispose based on what makes them essentially hazardous. Solidify all possible hazardous liquid by using materials such as saw dust or paper rags with good absorption quality. Wear gloves during the process. When done, collect the material using a thickly coated, plastic bag and take it to the garbage.

3. Check for material residue in "empty" containers. For non-aerosol and non-paint containers, use scissors or knives to cut open the container. Use saw dust or paper rags to solidify the liquid and put the container and the solid waste in separate bags.

4. Send materials such as pesticides, herbicides, oil paints, paint cleaners and oil and transmission fluids to the appropriate disposal department near you. Make sure to secure the packaging.

5. Take all electronics including TV CRTs, batteries and cell phones to hazardous solid waste collection centers.

Tips & Warnings

• If you have latex paint, then you can solidify by simply exposing it to the air. Wrap paint containers with old newspapers.
• Turn aerosol containers upside down. Squeeze the nozzle contents into a rag. After the container loses pressure, it is empty and can be disposed using paper or plastic bags.
• Pay special attention to empty containers. Chemicals are likely to be in all containers, especially with pumps that operate or spray a good amount.
• When flushing some hazardous materials in the sink or toilet, make sure additional water runs off to drain the material down to the gutter.
• Avoid burning or dumping any hazardous waste on the ground or in the neighborhood.
• Avoid disposing materials through the kitchen sink (especially when you have a septic tank).
• Do not bury any used container with leftover chemicals.
• Avoid mixing hazardous materials into one container. Reactions may make a highly toxic waste.

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on 5/15/2009 Go to http://earth911.com to find the nearest disposal or recycling center in the United States. It's a good idea to call to confirm what each drop off location accepts.