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Everyone has them, those mystery cans, bottles, and containers that hold expired cleaning products or other substances that might or might not be household hazardous waste.
At Junk King of Marin, we haul away all kinds of junk except for hazardous waste. But we do know how important it is to keep your home and the earth’s environment safe from waste risks. And with a little education we can all join together to practice safe household hazardous waste disposal.
Read on for some of our top tips to do just that.
What is Hazardous Waste?
The broad term “household hazardous waste” actually applies to any home or retail-generated hazardous waste. It covers a wide array of products that have the potential to harm the environment if not disposed of properly. This can include things like automotive care products, oil and latex paints, drain cleaners, antifreeze, and other household chemicals.
Proper Storage of Household Hazardous Waste
First, always keep hazardous materials in their original containers. Be sure to store them out of the reach of children and animals and away from food. If you place a hazardous material in another container, make sure it’s clearly labeled, and never store it in empty food or beverage containers. Keep the containers dry to prevent corrosion and store chemical products in a well-ventilated area. To be safe, keep any suspected household hazardous waste away from heat, flames, or other sources of ignition .
Finally, never combine dangerous household hazardous waste with other products .
Read the Label
The EPA considers any leftover household product that can catch fire, explode, or react under certain circumstances as household hazardous waste. Since many of these products contain hazardous ingredients, they require special care when disposing of them. Always follow labeled storage and disposal instructions to avoid personal injury and environmental harm.
And remember, even empty containers of hazardous waste can pose risks due to the residual chemicals that might remain. Always handle with care!
Reduce Household Hazardous Waste
One of the best ways to avoid the risk of contamination is to purchase fewer products that contain hazardous ingredients. The EPA’s Safer Choice Program has some great ideas to get you started.
Hazardous Waste Disposal Questions
Marin County has a zero waste program that helps you properly dispose of your home’s hazardous waste. Your community may also have separate rules and regulations, including how to handle proper disposal of items like batteries and fluorescent tubes, so be sure to check with your local environmental waste agency for the latest disposal information.
At Junk King of Marin, we believe working together on the safe disposal of hazardous waste helps our customers achieve a healthy home, community, and environment.
We also know it’s not always easy figuring out which products can be disposed of in your regular trash and what is considered hazardous. If you suspect you have hazardous chemicals and other materials in your Marin County home, let us help you decide your best disposal options. We’re here to help with:
- Dedicated customer service.
- Easy online booking.
- Identification of hazardous materials.
To learn more about how to properly dispose of your home’s hazardous waste, get in touch with us today. We look forward to helping you create a healthier and safer home!
