At NEDT, we’ve been helping households get rid of their residential hazardous waste for years. If you’ve ever been curious or even hesitant about what a typical trip to one of our Household Hazardous Products Collection Centers is like, this blog and its video are for you! Watch and read on to learn about what to expect, how quick and easy the process is, and what you can do to prepare beforehand. [Read more…]
Dealing with Household Hazardous Waste During an Estate Sale
Regardless of the reasons behind your estate sale, the process is already emotionally draining before you have to deal with hazardous waste you can’t throw away or take to the dump. Whether the result of downsizing or the death of a loved one, we all have accumulated so much in our lifetime, and sadly not all of it is safe or still useful. As an owner, family member, estate sale professional, estate agent, or junk hauler, it’s important you know how to deal with household hazardous waste during an estate sale. [Read more…]
Muriatic Acid: What It Is and Why It’s a Cleaning Product
Of all the hazardous household products, cleaning products are some of the most toxic to homeowners and their families (including pets). This makes sense: after all, what is hard on grease, grime, limescale, and other difficult-to-remove stains isn’t going to be kind to skin. One of these products – known as muriatic acid – is used as a “last resort” in cleaning products, and with good reason, as it’s primarily made of corrosive hydrochloric acid. Learning how to use, handle, store, and dispose of muriatic acid is vital if you’re going to keep it in your home. [Read more…]
Why Fire Extinguishers Expire and What to Do with Them
Owning a fire extinguisher is a mark of a safe and well-planned household, but it doesn’t stop there. Beyond reading the instructions and properly placing the extinguisher (or more likely multiple fire extinguishers if you’re following best practices), is the knowledge that your extinguisher has a shelf life and will need to be replaced. It’s time to learn more about why fire extinguishers expire and how to dispose of them when they do. [Read more…]
Storing Gasoline at Home and When to Dispose of It
Whether it’s a can for the mower or a backup container for your car, at some point or another, we’ve all had one of those iconic red containers with some spare gas. However, that useful substance is also a hazardous product, and without properly storing gasoline at home – as well as handling and disposal – you’ll encounter risks to your home, health, and the environment. Learn what you need to know to deal with this hazardous household product.
Handling and Storing Gasoline at Home
It’s important always to remember that as a fuel, gasoline is inherently dangerous to you and your family.
- Gasoline is highly flammable and can be explosive. Store gasoline in approved, air-tight containers well away from children and pets, open flames, and sources of ignition.
- Gas contains volatile organic compounds (VOCs), especially from chemicals like benzene, a known carcinogen. Open in well-ventilated spaces.
- Do not store in your car’s trunk. These containers could break or be under threat of explosion from heat or impact during an accident.
How Gasoline Goes Bad
Like with many household products, gasoline can go bad. This can happen in two ways. First, gasoline can become contaminated, such as moved to an unclean container or left open near other products. Second is that gasoline has a shelf life, about six months for pure gas and three months for ethanol-blended gas (most US gas stations use “E10” gas that contains about 10% ethanol). In either situation, this gas should not be used and must be properly disposed of.
Disposing of Gasoline
Gasoline cannot be disposed of at home and shouldn’t be poured down the drain or thrown into the trash. This includes containers that have contained gasoline. You should also not mix gas with other automotive or chemical waste. Instead, gasoline is a Household Hazardous Product and needs to be disposed of at a community disposal event or a household hazardous waste collection center.
The NEDT Household Hazardous Products Collection Centers are just such a place. We’ve got multiple locations to help New Englanders dispose of gasoline and many other common hazardous products. Learn more about what we accept and educate yourself more on gasoline and other household hazardous products with our Fact Sheets. We also provide pick up services, including contactless services: contact us to learn more.
