Whether they are sitting out in the garage, stuffed in the spare room, or hiding under the sink, we’ve all got both products and waste that we know is dangerous and not easily disposed of. For many of our visitors to the NEDT collection centers, all they needed to hit the goal of fewer hazardous products at home is a little push. We hope this post is the little push for you.
Do Your Research and Read the Labels
The best tool to keep hazardous products out of your home is information. Federal departments like OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration), along with specific industry and state laws, mandate that the products you buy have any warnings about their contents. Next time you’re buying something, check for:
- Precautionary and Caution Statements: These inform who these products are hazardous to, what health conditions they can cause, and how to avoid and treat them.
- Pictograms: Many products that contain hazardous products like chemicals also include pictograms that quickly state the hazards. See the OSHA QuickCard™ page for details.
- Storage and Disposal Statements: Many products are at their most dangerous when stored or disposed of improperly. Also, read disposal instructions before heading to the trashcan or drain.
Our Fact Sheets provide handling, storage, and disposal of the most common household hazardous products.
Replace and Remove Old Hazardous Products
Once you’ve stopped adding new hazardous products to your home, it’s time to deal with the ones there. Make a list of every product you have that you no longer use or want to replace with a less hazardous product. Take a look at our What We Accept page for an excellent place to start. Some examples include old gardening supplies, surplus electronics containing dangerous metals like mercury, and empty cleaning and automotive products. And of course, paint!
Learn more by checking out our blog post, Understanding, Finding & Disposing of Hazardous Waste at Home.
When it comes to disposal, local and state services may provide some help with household hazardous waste disposal. However, many are limited, especially during COVID. NEDT’s Household Hazardous Products Collection Centers can help by providing quick and safe service for all your needs, including a pickup service! Contact us today to learn more, including what to bring in. You can also call us at 866-769-1621.
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