Identification and Disposal of Hazardous Products
Hazardous products will have one or more of these characteristics in varying degrees:
- Ignitability
- Toxicity
- Corrosivity
- Reactivity
Hazardous products, currently for sale, are now labeled with signal words:
- Danger, Warning, Caution
- Older products may not contain signal words.
Types of products which may be hazardous:
- Cleaning Products, Polishes & Waxes
- Paints & Solvents
- Pesticides, Lawn Fertilizers, Pool Chemicals
- Automotive products
- Adhesives, Art & Hobby Supplies
- Personal Care: Hairspray, Hair color, Dandruff Shampoo, Nail Polish Remover, Rubbing Alcohol
- Medications
- Batteries
- CCA Treated Wood
The term "inert ingredients" on product labels is highly misleading because it may convey the impression that these ingredients are nontoxic or otherwise not hazardous. Some inert ingredients are quite toxic or can make the active ingredients more toxic.
Never pour pesticides, flammable materials, or solvent-based products down the sink drain.
Never pour anything down the storm drain. Storm drains are directly connected to the nearest stream, lake…. There is no treatment of any kind before water is emptied into a natural body of water.
Never put liquids or any toxic, corrosive, flammable or chemically reactive materials in the trash.
- No liquids — not even soda.
- Use up hazardous products according to label directions or dispose appropriately — not in trash!
- Triple rinse empty containers and pour/apply the rinse water to the same area they are treating.
- Do not use banned pesticides, outdated medicines, lead paint or old chemistry sets.
Recycle it.
- Bring it to someone else who will use it. (Does not apply to banned pesticides, outdated medicines, lead paint or old chemistry sets.)
- Motor oil — call your local health department for program information.
Take it to a household hazardous waste collection program. Call your Department of Health or Department of Sanitation for advice, dates & locations. Also, visit Earth 911, or call 800-CLEANUP for more information on proper disposal or recycling of household hazardous products. Enter your zip code for local information.
