What is hazardous waste?
attribution: FreeImages.com/Simon Cataudo
These are probably one of the most dangerous things at your home and many of us are unaware of how harmful they can actually be. That’s the main reason why this type of items are very often ignored and that leads to tragic consequences.
By definition, hazardous waste is some type of waste that is potentially harmful to our health or to the environment (usually both). It’s a fact, though, that almost every household on the planet stores at least something like that because it’s unavoidable.
What waste at your home is toxic ?
Just open your garage and pick something. If that’s a box of paint you used a few months ago but there was some left and you didn’t want to throw it and instead put it in the garage then you’ve been keeping a hazardous waste at your home for some time and that might have had an effect on your health, especially if you’ve inhaled emissions from the paint. There are petrochemicals, alkyd solvents and vinyl resigns – all of that destroys any groundwater it contacts to. If you have something like that at a place which you spend some time in you better consider removing it now.
Another potentially hazardous product that people keep in their garage is pesticides. Only the U.S. consumers use around 300 million pounds of insecticides per year so having something like that is highly possible. Pay attention to that because the propoxur or the methoxychlor of which the pesticides consist of are extremely dangerous to people or animals if inhaled, injected or absorbed through the skin. Keep this away from your pets and especially your kids who don’t know what this exactly is.
Another examples of hazardous household waste are antifreeze, batteries, drain cleaners, toilet cleaners, used motor oil etc. You can check the full list on this website.
The bathroom can be toxic?
Have you ever thought about the prescription drugs you’re storing in the bathroom cupboard from a different perspective? If not, you will now have to because the greatest danger of their disposal is when someone else consumes them and they are definitely not prescribed for him. This type of waste is considered as hazardous not because of its emissions but due to the potential harm it can cause if disposed of inappropriately.
On the other hand, things like abrasive cleaners which are used for cleaning tubs or basins contain chemicals such as sodium hypochlorite which have to be carefully washed away from your tub after you’ve finished cleaning it.
Reduce the HHW in your home
The best precautions a person can take to feel secure is to do something about reducing the levels of household waste in his home. First, to purchase only the exact amounts of what you need, calculate this before you go shopping for potential toxic items otherwise you’ll live in a home that is more harmful than a nuclear factory.
Participate in local hazardous waste collection programme around you. Whenever you produce some sort of leftovers from hazardous products do not stack them somewhere in your home. Instead, periodically get rid of it with the help of the collection programme you’ve got involved. If there isn’t anything like that, contact your city’s public works department for more information regarding the dangerous waste.
Check your garden periodically for any containers of pesticides which might be forgotten after trying to kill the insects that bother you. It’s preferable to clean your garden from time to time and remove any suspicious items that might be toxic.
How to get rid of the hazardous waste at your home?
Throwing such items in your trash bin or in the sewer drain is a huge mistake too so is to remove their labels. The instructions on the back of the label must be read before usage at any cost.
Another potentially hazardous product that people keep in their garage is pesticides. Only the U.S., from New York City to smaller, cheaper cities like Eugene, Oregon and all across the country, consumers use around 300 million pounds of insecticides per year so having something like that is highly possible. Pay attention to that because the propoxur or the methoxychlor of which the pesticides consist of are extremely dangerous to people or animals if inhaled, injected or absorbed through the skin. Keep this away from your pets and especially your kids who don’t know what this exactly is.
Usually, municipalities and local governments take the responsibility to collect HHW (household hazardous waste) on certain days. It’s important to note that this type of rubbish has to be collected separately from anything else. There is also a possibility to have a permanent collection centre close to your home which has exchange areas for unused paints or leftovers of it, pesticides, cleaning products etc.
Another pivotal advice is to take into consideration that most rubbish removal in London companies like Rubbish Begone do not deal with hazardous waste. Always check on their website if they offer this as an addition to their service.