Household hazardous waste (HHW) refers to harmful materials or products which can cause sickness or death to people, animals, and plants. Proper disposal of this waste is important in order to avoid spreading chemicals in water, soil, and air. Because these are harmful materials, they should never be placed in the regular trash of your community. When HHW is thrown into the landfills, it can pollute our groundwater and soil. Likewise, HHW substances should not be poured or flushed down the drain as it would enter the sewage system. Chemicals can corrode the plumbing and even cause the septic systems to malfunction before they eventually flow to our rivers and oceans. Proper disposal of HHW is important as it will also save waste workers from the danger of inhaling toxic substances and lowers the possibility of explosions or fires.
Below is a list of household hazardous waste, also commonly known as home generated special materials.
The best way to dispose leftover HHW products is to consume them or give them to your friend or neighbor who can use them. But since you won’t always find someone who may need these products, just ask around for a household hazardous waste collection site in your community. You may either be required to bring your HHW materials to this site or you will be told that some people will come to collect them at your home.