lid Was;e and Emergency Response (OS-305)
&EPA Household
Hazardous
Waste
Steps to Safe
Management
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What Is Household
Hazardous Waste?
Some jobs around the home may require
the use of products containing hazardous
i components. Such products may include
certain paints, cleaners, stains and varnishes,
car batteries, motor oil, and pesticides. The
used or leftover contents of such consumer
products are known as "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 and garage and in storage closets.
When improperly disposed of, household
hazardous waste can create a potential risk to
people and the environment. This pamphlet
describes steps that people can take to reduce
the amount of household hazardous waste they
generate and to ensure that those wastes are
safely stored, handled, and disposed of.
What Are the Dangers
of Improper Disposal?
Household hazardous wastes are some-
times disposed of improperly by
individuals pouring wastes down
the drain, on the ground, into storm sewers,
or putting them out with the trash. The dangers
of such disposal methods may not be immedi-
ately obvious, but certain types of household
hazardous waste have the potential to cause
physical injury to sanitation workers;
contaminate septic tanks or
wastewater treatment systems if
poured down drains or toilets;
and present hazards to children
and pets if left around the house.
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While households do not have to separate
household hazardous waste from trash under
federal law, some states have special
requirements. Call local or state solid waste
officials to learn what requirements apply to
households or small businesses in your area.
Move to Reduce and Recycle
One way to reduce the potential
concerns associated with household
hazardous waste is to take actions that
use nonhazardous or less hazardous
components to accomplish the task at hand.
Individuals can do this by reducing the amount
and/or toxicity of the products they choose.
This can include learning about the toxicity of
products and about appropriate alternatives to
household items containing hazardous
substances. If you need to use products with
hazardous components, use only the amount
needed. Leftover materials can be shared
with neighbors or donated to a business,
charity, or government agency,
or given to a household
hazardous waste
collection program.
Excess pesticide
might be offered to
greenhouse or
garden center,
for example, and
theater groups often
need surplus paint.
Some communities
have even organized
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waste exchanges where household hazardous
waste can be swapped or given away.
Recycling is an economical and environmen-
tally sound way to handle some types of
household hazardous waste, such as used
automobile batteries and oil. Auto parts stores
and service stations frequently accept used
automobile batteries, and 80 percent of these
batteries are currently recycled. Many states are
drafting legislation
requiring used oil
recycling. In addition,.
hundreds of local
governments
working with civic
organizations and
private firms have
implemented
successful used
oil recycling
programs. Many
service stations
have begun
collecting used oil
as a service to their customers. Check with local
solid waste officials to find out if a used oil
recycling program is operating in your area.
Safe Management Methods
Because of the potential risks associated
with household hazardous wastes, it is
important that people always use, store,
and dispose of materials containing hazardous
substances safely:
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. Use and store products containing haz-
ardous substances carefully to prevent any
accidents at home. Never store hazardous
products in food containers. Keep
products containing hazardous materials
in their original containers and never
remove the labels. Corroding containers,
however, should be repackaged and
clearly labeled. This will prevent
accidental ingestion and also can help
protec^anitation workers.
• When leftovers remain, never mix
household hazardous waste with other
products. Incompatibles may react, ignite,
or explode; contaminated household
hazardous waste may become
unrecyclable.
. Follow any instructions for disposal
and use provided on the label.
• Take household hazardous waste to a
local collection program, if available.
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Household Hazardous Waste
Collection Days
During the 1980s, many communities
started special collection days or
permanent collection sites for handling
household hazardous waste. On collection
days, qualified professionals collect hazardous
wastes at a central location to ensure safe waste
disposal. Over 3,000 collection programs have
been undertaken in the United States. Check
with the local chamber of commerce, county, or
state environmental or solid waste agency to
see if there is a household hazardous waste
collection program in your area.
HAZARDOUS
W/\STE COLLECTION
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References
The following publications are available at no
charge from EPA's RCRA Hotline. Call (8OO)
424-9346, or for the hearing impaired, TDD
(800) 553-7672. In Washington, D.C., call (703)
412-9810, or TDD (703) 412-3323.
The Consumer's Handbook,for
Reducing Solid Waste
EPA/530-K-92-003
Characterization of Municipal
Solid Waste in the United States:
1992 Update Executive Summary
EPA/530-S-92-019
Characterizution of Products
Containing Lead and Cadmium in
Municipal Solid Waste in the U.S.,
19X-2000 Executive Summary
EPA/530-SW-89-015C
Household Hazardous Waste
Management: A Manual for 1 -Day
Community Collection Programs
EPA/530-R-92-026
Hew to set up a Local Program
to Recycle Used Oil
EPA/530-SW-89-039A
Recycle (Brochure)
EPA/530-F-92-003
Recycling Used Oil: For
Service Stations and Other
Vehicle Service Facilities
EPA/530-SW-89-039D
Recycling Used Oil:
10 Steps to Change Your Oil
EPA/530-SW-89-039C
Recycling Used Oil:
What Can You Do?
EPA/530-SW-89-039B
Recycling Works!
State and Local Solutions to
Solid Waste Management Problems
EPA/530-SW-89-014
Used Dry Cell Batteries Is a
Collection Program Right
for Your Community?
EPA/530-K-92-006
*U S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1993-0-719-620
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