/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
-------
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
$
*
-------
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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