How to Dispose of Household Cleaning Products and Hazardous Chemicals
Unsurprisingly, when hazardous chemicals are dumped in landfills or waterways, they cause serious damage to the environment and our health. Just last week, six states sued the EPA for permitting continued use of pesticides associated with serious consequences, such as brain damage, in humans.
But this does not mean that some chemicals or the containers in which they are located cannot be recycled. Empty, leftover or half bottles of chemicals must be disposed of properly so as not to harm the environment or the sewer pipes.
Read the recycling instructions and study the rules of your curbside program.
Before making any decision, be sure to read the instructions for disposing of the vial. Typically, you may find that it is best to empty the bottle before sending it for recycling. If it’s a household cleaner, such as laundry detergent or dishwashing detergent, it can probably be disposed of down the drain with running water. As Grist recommends , if it’s safe to go down to the sink, rinse the container a couple of times.
On the other hand, if you read words like “hazard,” “warning,” or “toxic” on a container’s label, it’s unlikely that you can safely empty it down the drain – think about chemicals like pesticides, antifreeze, or gasoline. Other chemicals, such as grease and oil, can also clog your sewers, so again pay attention to the instructions in the instructions. Instead, check with local stores that may accept and reuse your leftovers. (EPA also recommends on its website not to mix hazardous waste with other substances that can react, ignite, or explode.)
You can also use the Earth911 locator to locate hazardous waste facilities. Browse the hazardous category on the left, find your chemical and zip code, and you will see all the local businesses available. These places will most likely accept bottles or containers as well.
After reviewing the instructions for your product, you should also search the Internet or contact your recycling program to find out the rules for your specific product; your program may tell you what is required of you to dispose of a bottle that has been in contact with chemicals.
Finally, when your bottle is empty, look at the disposal number. If it’s a plastic bottle with a resin code of one to four, your program will most likely accept them; anything above and you might need to get a little more creative. (Again, consult your program rules or find a store that can accept them using Earth 911. )
And in the future, as Grist recommends, avoid the use of any corrosive or highly toxic chemicals whenever possible. The EPA lists several recommendations on its website for alternatives to hazardous substances such as furniture polish and carpet deodorant; this will help you not to waste time on the correct disposal of aggressive substances.