/A
   PREVENTING
 V) POLLUTION
   TO PROTECT
  I OUR GREAT
   LAKES.
 .



 L.V
              DISPOSAL
              GUIDE  TO
           HOUSEHOLD
           HAZARDOUS
                WASTES
    y>ake a look in your garage, kitchen, bathroom, or
    \r workshop. Some of the household products you find
    y here may require special consideration in their use,
    'storage, and disposal. Such products tend to fall in
the following categories:
    • Home maintenance
    • Lawn and garden care
    • Hobbies and crafts
    • Automotive maintenance
    • Health and beauty aids
           T

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             ou can reduce the
             amount of potentially
          y hazardous products in
             your home and elimi-
nate what you throw away by follow-
ing these easy steps:

1. BEFORE YOU  BUY:

• Read the labels and be aware of
 what they mean.

• Watch for products that contain
 these label signal words which may
 indicate a  need for special handling
 or disposal:
    CAUTION
    DANGER
    FLAMMABLE
    TOXIC
    WARNING
CORROSIVE
EXPLOSIVE
POISON
VOLATILE
  Select a product suited for the job
  at hand.
  Buy only what you can use entirely.
2. AFTER
   YOU BUY:
• Read the
 labels careful-
 ly and follow
 directions for
 use.

• Use the rec-
 ommended
 amounts;
 more is not
 necessarily better.
• Store properly and
 keep in original con-
 tainer with readable
 labels.
• Use child-resistant clo-
 sures and keep them on
 tightly.
• Share what you
 can't use with a
 friend or neighbor.
• Recycle products
 like motor oil,
 antifreeze and auto-
 mobile batteries.
• Recycle/Dispose of empty contain-
 er properly.
                 If you have old household products
                 with potentially hazardous ingredi-
                 ents or still have products left over
                 after following
                 the preceding
                 directions, use
                 this guide for
                 safe disposal.



        WHEN DISPOSED OF IMPROPERLY, HAZARDOUS WASTES CAN
      THREATEN OUR ENVIRONMENT, EVENTUALLY CONTAMINATING
             OUR C.ROUNDWATER, RIVERS AND GREAT LAKES.

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    L\

DISPOSAL CUIDE  TO

COMMON  HOUSEHOLD

HAZARDOUS  WASTES

HOWTOUSETHIS6UIDE
This guide contains disposal recommenda-
tions for many common household prod-
ucts with potentially hazardous ingredi-
ents. Remember, use up all the product
whenever possible.

        REUSE/RECYCLE is the pre-
        ferred option whenever possible.
        Automotive service centers may
        accept used motor oil, auto bat-
teries, antifreeze and transmission fluid.
Theater and art groups or housing organi-
zations may be happy to receive leftover
paint. Jewelers or hearing aid service
stores may accept button batteries for
recycling. Contact your local officials for
recycling locations in your area. Finally,
consider using up the product yourself.

FLUSH down drain indicates that a prod-
        uct can be poured down the
        drain with plenty of water. Contact your wastewater officials before pouring
        to determine if this recommendation is suitable to your area. Some products
        cannot be broken down by the wastewater treatment process and are dis-
charged untreated into lakes and rivers. If you have a septic system, only dispose of
small quantities down the drain and dilute with lots of water first.

Place in TRASH indicates that a product is suitable for landfill disposal. Generally
         speaking, empty containers can be thrown away. Liquids should never be
   ^^   disposed of in the trash. Some products are acceptable for landfill disposal if
     EL  they are hardened or dried up. Contact your local officials before throwing
      ®* any product of concern away.
vv
SAVE for collection indicates those
products that should be saved for a house-hold haz-
        ardous waste collection. If you
        must wait for a collection program, store
        products safely  in their original containers
        with
the labels intact and out of the reach of children.
Contact your local officials to find out when and
where a collection may be held in your area.
KEY TO DISPOSAL
      SYMBOLS

F  = Flush down drain
    (if connected to sanitary sewer)
T  = Place in trash

R  = Reuse/Recycle

   = Save for collection
                                                                                     T
                                                                                     i

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ft
        CARACE&CARDEN
PRODUCT

Antifreeze
FLUSH    TRASH
Auto battery

Brake fluid

Degreaser

Diesel fuel
        Fertilizer, dry
Fertilizer, with
weed killer
Gasoline
(Use approved safety container;
keep away from flame,
spark and heat.)
Kerosene
Motor oil
(Do not mix motor oil
with anything else.)
        Pesticides
        Rat/rodent poison
        Transmission fluid
        Weed killer
        Windshield wiper fluid
 REUSE/
RECYCLE
                                                              SAVE FOR COLLECTION
                                                                          COMMON
                                                                      REUSABLE WASTES
                                                                     AND THEIR RECIPI-
                                                                           ENTS

                                                                    Leftover paint
                                                                      Paint exchanges, paint
                                                                      stores, community
                                                                      service groups, church
                                                                      groups, painting
                                                                      contractors, shelters,
                                                                      theater groups, sign
                                                                      painters, neighbors
                                                                      or friends

                                                                    Used oil
                                                                      Service stations or
                                                                      other used oil recyclers

                                                                    Automotive batteries
                                                                      Battery recyclers,
                                                                      service stations
        HOME IMPROVEMENT/WORKSHOP
         f Solvent-containing products include the words "flammable," "combustible" or "contains petroleum
          distillates" on the label.
                                                                                         >J
^ PRODUCT FLUSH
r
Spackle, glaze
Adhesive and glue,
water-based
Adhesive and glue,
, solvent-based*
(Should be placed in trash
only if hardened.)
TRASH
A
A
s^R
 ' <3S>
<\J^>
SAVE FOR COLLECTION

O

                                                              $
                                                              *

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O
               BATHROOM
AN
 >9r
 w
I
 V
               PRODUCT*            FLUSH

               After-shave/perfume
               Cosmetics
               Depilatories
               Hair permanent lotions
               Nail polish, hardened
               Nail polish remover
               Prescription medicines

               (Chemotherapy drugs
               and antineoplastic medicines
               should be returned to dispensing
               clinic)
       j
<{


{<

    it
    !>
         Syringes
         (Store in rigid,
         puncture-resistant,
         leak-proof container;
         seal prior to disposal.)
                                           TRASH
                                                                  SAVE FOR COLLECTION
               CLEANERS
 QUESTIONS ABOUT
     DISPOSAL?
Minnesota
  WLSSD Garbage Hotline
  218-722-0761
Wisconsin
  Municipal or county waste
  management authority
Michigan
  Environmental Services Division
  517-335-1178
Illinois
  Illinois E.PA.
  217-785-8604
Indiana
  Dept. of Environmental
  Management
  219-881-6712
      /
      £
       /
PRODUCT* FLUSH
Ammonia-based** ^
Bleach-based** 0
Disinfectant ^
Drain cleaner*
Floor wax/stripper*
Furniture polish*
Glass cleaner £
Metal cleaner
Oven cleaner*
Spot remover*
Toilet bowl cleaner £
TRASH










REUSE/
RECYCLE










SAVE FOR COLLECTION


o jjfsir
o
o iriSs
fi^*P
O it^JI
o
o


                 Not all types of these products need to be saved for collection. Read labels carefully, and call your local
                 official for disposal advice.
                 Never mix bleach and ammonia. A toxic gas may result.

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i
         HOME IMPROVEMENT/WORKSHOP
        PRODUCT           FLUSH

        Paint or primer, latex -
        without lead or mercury
        Paint or primer, latex -
        with lead or mercury*
*
/,
        Paint or primer, oil-based
        Paint thinner
        Paint remover and stripper
        Putty, grout, caulk
        Rust remover
        Stain and varnish
        Wood preservative
                                    TRASH
 REUSE/
RECYCLE
SAVE FOR COLLECTION

    *
        Note: (Empty cans and/or dried paint without lead in it can go in trash)
        MISCELLANEOUS
to
I
 r
 V
I
«v
PRODUCT FLUSH
Ammunition
(Contact law enforcement
for proper disposal in your area. )
Artist and hobby paint*
Batteries, alkaline (low mercury)
Batteries, ni-cad or button
Fabric dye, concentrated
TV
r ireworks
(Soak in water until
saturated, then place in trash.)
Fluorescent tubes, bulbs & ballasts
Moth balls
Photography chemicals*
(Contact your wastewater
treatment facility)
Swimming pool & hot tub chemicals*
Smoke detector (take out battery)*
Thermometer, mercury
TRASH

A



A



©ft
%,

REUSE/
RECYCLE
•

•



•


^5>x_
*s^5^

SAVE F
e

o
o


o
o

o

o
OR COLLECTION

^—^&
TSnT /

•d/s _j- « /-^D c$
.*>••• •
Keep this chart
near your ffarba&c
can for easy refer-
ence Make copies
for your family
and friends! For
more information,
contact your coun-
ty Environmental
Health, Public
Health or Solid
Waste department.


                                                                             ^
         *Check with local officials on procedures for disposal.

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STORING  HAZARDOUS
HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS
           ince you generally store hazardous materials — for
           months or even years — before they are used up or
           transported to a collection site, it's important to fol-
           low the storage guidelines below. Improper storage can
be a safety hazard or turn usable products into waste.
  Follow all directions on the container. If the directions appear suspiciously out
  of date, call the manufacturer.

  Store all  chemicals out of reach of children and pets.

  Always keep products in their original containers. If the product is removed from
  its original container, label it with the name of the product and the date you first
  stored the product in that container. Also include the name and phone number of
  the manufacturer and directions for safe use, storage and disposal. Never use food
  or beverage containers as replacement containers. Ensure the
  container is child-resistant.
  Never mix different household chemicals.
  Doing so could make the mixtures unrecyclable or even
  dangerous. For example, mixing chlorine bleach with
  ammonia or vinegar can create toxic fumes.
  Store all hazardous products out of the sun, in tightly sealed containers, and
  away from heat, sparks and flames, including pilot lights.
                Never smoke or eat while handling hazardous materials.

                Never store products with hazardous ingredients in food or
                beverage containers. Also, never store these products in the
                same area as food.

                Keep containers dry to avoid rusting.
              • Keep products from freezing. Never store in an unheated garage
during the winter. An exception to this is products labeled "Flammable" or
"Combustible." They may be stored in an unheated garage during the winter.

• Never store gasoline or other fuels indoors.

• If the product container is deteriorating, place the entire container in a plastic
  bucket. Surround it with a nonflammable       absorbent, such as kitty litter,
  vermiculite or floor dry, to absorb spills. Label the outside of the container
  as indicated above.
 &
*
k
/
to
%.


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//     USIN6 YOUR STATE'S
          COLLECTION  PROGRAM
                      Xl-
                       uccessful collection efforts in many cities have               \
                       helped officials protect their community's water supply from
                       hazardous waste contamination. Many communities can collect thou-
                       sands of pounds of hazardous materials in just a one- or two-day
          effort. Your community hazardous waste program may also help you find a place
          that will take your waste and reuse or recycle it.

          ILLINOIS
          Only one Illinois community, Naperville, has a
          household waste collection program. The Illinois
          Environmental Protection Agency sponsors a
          household hazardous waste collection program in
          the spring and fall. Localities need to apply to the
          Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to
          have pick ups in their area.
          CONTACT:
          17/inois Environmental Protection Agency
          Solid Waste Management Section
          2200 Churchill Rd. #24
          PO. Box 19276
          Springfield, IL  62794-9276
          217-785-8604

          INDIANA
          Local household hazardous waste collection efforts
          are being established in Lake, St. Joseph, Elkhart
          and Allen counties. For further information, call
          your local health department or the Indiana Dept.
          of Environmental Management.
          CONTACT:
          Indiana Department of
          Environmental Management
          Northwest Regional Office
          Room 418, 504 N. Broadway
          Gary, IN  46402
          219-881-6712

          MICHIGAN
          Collection sites are available across Michigan. In
          the Lake Superior and Lake Michigan basins, look
          for collection sites in Dickinson, Marquette,
          Berrien, Emmet, Grand Traverse and Ottawa
          counties. Contact local county officials for
          more information.

          MINNESOTA
          The Western Lake Superior Sanitary District
          (WLSSD) in cooperation with the MPCA, operates  a
          household hazardous waste collection program at its
          waterfront facility at 27th Avenue West in Duluth.
          Call 218-722-0761 for more information.
Northern St. Louis and Cook County residents can
utilize annual local hazardous waste collection pro-
grams sponsored by their counties, WLSSD and
the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.
Lake County has a local facility. Call 218-834-8380.
Carlton County has a local facility open
May - October. Call for an appointment.
Contact local county officials for more infor-
mation.

WISCONSIN
Some Wisconsin communities hold periodic
household hazardous waste "Clean Sweeps" and a
few have or are considering establishing permanent
household hazardous waste collection programs.
Contact your municipal or county waste
management authority to determine if "Clean
Sweeps" are available in your community.
Wisconsin also has a small ($150,000 Clean Sweep)
grant program that can provide up to $15,000 to
communities to help them set up a Clean Sweep
program. A 25% cost sharing is required.
For information on this grant program
Contact the WIDNR District Clean Sweep
Grant Manager at 608-267-7515.

REGIONAL
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency can
assist states and local government in setting up
collection programs.
CONTACT:
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Solid Waste
77 W. Jackson Blvd.
Chicago, IL 60604
312-886-3584

                DEVELOPED WITH A GRANT FROM THE U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
                A joint program of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources,
                Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, and the
                Indiana Department of Environmental Management.
                                                                     ®


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