The average American home will indeed have a lot of stuff, and we all know how much our stuff can accumulate, especially if you have been in residence at your property for a long time. But while we are all familiar with waste such as food waste, old files, furniture, equipment, and the like, there is such a thing as hazardous waste as well – and even the standard home will have its share of this. Most households in the US will have some form of toxic or hazardous waste, and disposing of these items will be tricky. So what should you know about dealing with and handling hazardous waste materials at home? Here’s your best guide.
What is hazardous waste? The basic classification
Hazardous waste may come in various forms, and even the cleaning products you use may be classified as such. But what exactly is hazardous waste? According to the Environmental Protection Agency, hazardous waste is basically waste which can be potentially dangerous or harmful to the environment and our health. It can be comprised of liquids or solids, sludge or gas. It can come from discarded products that are used commercially, such as pesticides or cleaning fluids, and it can also come as a by-product of a manufacturing process.
Hazardous waste can also include products that are at risk of exploding, reacting, or catching fire under specific circumstances or products that may be toxic or corrosive. Many products are deemed safe for use, of course, but once they are thrown away, they can be dangerous to the environment – including cleaning solutions, batteries, and even shampoo, mouthwash, and cosmetic products. Many materials like these are actually banned from being thrown in landfills, and many residential or local waste management companies may not be able to pick them up or remove them.
Take precautions when handling any hazardous waste by wearing protective gear such as a breathing mask and gloves. Learn more about these types of gloves at https://unigloves.co.uk/reusable-gloves/nitrex/summary/.
Common examples
As already mentioned, hazardous products include cleaning products as well as shampoo, mouthwash, and cosmetics, but it also includes certain kinds of paint, adhesives, antifreeze, used oil and oil filters, household polishes and cleaners, insecticides, and lighter fluids. Ideally, products like these should be disposed of in a special facility, as any good junk removal service such as Evergreen Junk Removal.
What you can do with it
The method you use for disposing of hazardous waste materials in your home is of utmost importance. Even just pouring certain products down your drain can be harmful, and you can’t just drain them onto the ground or soil, in storm sewers, or include them with the regular trash. Some types of hazardous waste materials can not only pose a danger to the environment, but they can also potentially harm sanitation workers and contaminate wastewater treatment systems or septic tanks.
Read the labels on products as carefully as possible when it comes to directions on proper disposal so you can reduce the risk of explosions, ignitions, and leaks. If you have leftover products, don’t mix them with other hazardous waste products that are the same or similar as there can be a chemical reaction.
If you want to be doubly sure about the proper disposal of hazardous waste materials from your home, it’s best to turn to a proper junk removal service that will know how to deal with it and ensure everyone’s safety.
