The definition of a Hazardous Material from the book, The Chemistry of Hazardous Materials, by Eugene Meyer, states that a substance is considered to be a hazardous material when it is one of the following: "Flammable, Explosive, Corrosive, Toxic, Radioactive, or if it readily decomposes to oxygen at elevated temperatures." Also, by definition, the United States Department of Transportation defines a hazardous substance as a material capable of posing an unreasonable risk to health, safety, and property when transported.
A common sense approach is that a material could be considered hazardous when it escapes its container and hurts or harms the thing it touches. This definition was from a Hazardous Material Response team leader who was realistic as to what Hazardous Materials really are.
The more aware people become of hazardous materials, waste products, and recyclable materials, the more questions arise as to where these materials can be disposed of and recycled.
Cities, towns, and villages have become more concerned with recycling. Paper goods, plastics, yard waste, and glass materials are now commonly being sorted for recycling or composting; however, the disposal of common household hazardous wastes has not been addressed. Corporations must dispose of controlled and hazardous wastes by hiring a waste management firm, yet household wastes are either dumped in the sewer or thrown in the garbage to be dumped at the local landfill, possibly with injurious effects to refuse employees or the environment.
In an effort to reduce the hazards and improve disposal methods the table shown below gives examples on how and where to dispose of common household hazardous materials. This list is not totally inclusive nor can it be considered the BIBLE of common household disposal, but it does have recommendations or ideas until a more effective and efficient means of disposal can be established.
RECOMMENDED WAYS TO HANDLE COMMON HOUSEHOLD WASTES
Hazardous material
Re-use the Material
Dilute and Flush Down Drain
Put in Trash (may need special precautions)
Return to Manufacturer or Retailer
Take to Recycling Location
Specialized Hazardous Waste Collection Site
Comments
AUTO SUPPLIES
Car Battery
Only if usable
Never
2nd best
Best
3rd Best
Contains lead and strong acid
PETROLEUM PRODUCTS
Crankcase oil
Not recommended
Never
Never
Best
2nd best
Some service stations accept used oil.
Fuels - gas, etc.
If usable
Never
Never
Unavailable
Best
Try to use up fuel
Antifreeze
If usable
Best
Never
Unavailable
2nd best
Contains methyl alcohol
PAINTING, REFINISHING SUPPLIES
Latex paints
Best
Never
3rd Best (evaporate first)
2nd best
Oil-base paint, varnish lacquer
Best
Never
3rd Best (evaporate first)
2nd best
Paint thinner, turpentine, mineral spirits
Best
Never
Not recommended
2nd best (If available)
3rd best
Solvents can be reused if solids settle out.
Paint stripper:
With Methylene chloride
2nd best
Never
Never
Best
Methylene chloride based paint stripper one of the most dangerous household substances.
With sodium hydroxide
Best
3rd best
Never
2nd best
BUILDING AND HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS
Fluorescent lamp ballast
Never
Never
Never
Best
Pre-1978 ballasts may contain PCB's.
Defective smoke detectors
Never
Not recommended
Best
Will not accept
Contains radioactive material.
Flashlight batteries
Never
Last resort
Best
2nd best
Rechargeable batteries are especially hazardous.
Wood preservative
Only if free of banned chemicals.
Never
Never
Best
Cresote, penta and arsenic are dangerous.
Pressure-treated wood scraps, saw dust
If usable
Never
2nd (Wrap in plastic)
Best
Do not burn wood scraps.
Adhesives, caulks, etc.
If usable
Never
2nd best (evaporate first)
Best
Asbestos
Never
Never
Never
Only legal option.
May be able to encapsulate rather than remove.
Lead pipe
If usable
Never
Best
2nd best
CLEANING SUPPLIES
Oven/drain cleaner
Best
3rd best
Never
2nd best
Contains highly caustic sodium hydroxide.
Cleaning materials with solvents & petroleum distillates
Best
3rd best
Not recommended
2nd best
Ammonia cleaners
Best
3rd best
Not recommended
2nd best
Chloride bleach
Best
3rd best
Not recommended
2nd best
Spot remover/dry cleaning solvent
Best
Never
Never
2nd best
ART AND CRAFT SUPPLIES
Artist paints with lead, cadium and other hazards
Best
Never
3rd (slit open and evaporate first)
2nd best
Lead and other dangerous pigments are not banned from artist paints.
Photographic chemicals:
Unmixed solids
Best
Never
Not recommended
2nd best
3rd best
Used Solutions
Never
Last resort
Never
Best (or reclaim chemicals yourself)
2nd best
Write to Kodak for publication J-52.
Ceramic glass
3rd
Never
Best (solidify by firing first)
2nd best
Some ceramic glazes contain lead, uranium and other hazardous substances.
Solvents
Best
Alcohol okay
Not recommended
2nd best
May be able to reuse solvents by letting solids settle out.
Household Hazardous Materials
Hazardous Materials
What Are They ?
The definition of a Hazardous Material from the book, The Chemistry of Hazardous Materials, by Eugene Meyer, states that a substance is considered to be a hazardous material when it is one of the following: "Flammable, Explosive, Corrosive, Toxic, Radioactive, or if it readily decomposes to oxygen at elevated temperatures." Also, by definition, the United States Department of Transportation defines a hazardous substance as a material capable of posing an unreasonable risk to health, safety, and property when transported.
A common sense approach is that a material could be considered hazardous when it escapes its container and hurts or harms the thing it touches. This definition was from a Hazardous Material Response team leader who was realistic as to what Hazardous Materials really are.
The more aware people become of hazardous materials, waste products, and recyclable materials, the more questions arise as to where these materials can be disposed of and recycled.
Cities, towns, and villages have become more concerned with recycling. Paper goods, plastics, yard waste, and glass materials are now commonly being sorted for recycling or composting; however, the disposal of common household hazardous wastes has not been addressed. Corporations must dispose of controlled and hazardous wastes by hiring a waste management firm, yet household wastes are either dumped in the sewer or thrown in the garbage to be dumped at the local landfill, possibly with injurious effects to refuse employees or the environment.
In an effort to reduce the hazards and improve disposal methods the table shown below gives examples on how and where to dispose of common household hazardous materials. This list is not totally inclusive nor can it be considered the BIBLE of common household disposal, but it does have recommendations or ideas until a more effective and efficient means of disposal can be established.
RECOMMENDED WAYS TO HANDLE COMMON HOUSEHOLD WASTES
AUTO SUPPLIES
Car Battery
Only if usable
Never
2nd best
Best
3rd Best
Contains lead and strong acid
Crankcase oil
Not recommended
Never
Never
Best
2nd best
Some service stations accept used oil.
Fuels - gas, etc.
If usable
Never
Never
Unavailable
Best
Try to use up fuel
Antifreeze
If usable
Best
Never
Unavailable
2nd best
Contains methyl alcohol
PAINTING, REFINISHING SUPPLIES
Latex paints
Best
Never
3rd Best (evaporate first)
2nd best
Oil-base paint, varnish lacquer
Best
Never
3rd Best (evaporate first)
2nd best
Paint thinner, turpentine, mineral spirits
Best
Never
Not recommended
2nd best (If available)
3rd best
Solvents can be reused if solids settle out.
Paint stripper:
With Methylene chloride
2nd best
Never
Never
Best
Methylene chloride based paint stripper one of the most dangerous household substances.
With sodium hydroxide
Best
3rd best
Never
2nd best
BUILDING AND HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS
Fluorescent lamp ballast
Never
Never
Never
Best
Pre-1978 ballasts may contain PCB's.
Defective smoke detectors
Never
Not recommended
Best
Will not accept
Contains radioactive material.
Flashlight batteries
Never
Last resort
Best
2nd best
Rechargeable batteries are especially hazardous.
Wood preservative
Only if free of banned chemicals.
Never
Never
Best
Cresote, penta and arsenic are dangerous.
Pressure-treated wood scraps, saw dust
If usable
Never
2nd (Wrap in plastic)
Best
Do not burn wood scraps.
Adhesives, caulks, etc.
If usable
Never
2nd best (evaporate first)
Best
Asbestos
Never
Never
Never
Only legal option.
May be able to encapsulate rather than remove.
Lead pipe
If usable
Never
Best
2nd best
CLEANING SUPPLIES
Oven/drain cleaner
Best
3rd best
Never
2nd best
Contains highly caustic sodium hydroxide.
Cleaning materials with solvents & petroleum distillates
Best
3rd best
Not recommended
2nd best
Ammonia cleaners
Best
3rd best
Not recommended
2nd best
Chloride bleach
Best
3rd best
Not recommended
2nd best
Spot remover/dry cleaning solvent
Best
Never
Never
2nd best
ART AND CRAFT SUPPLIES
Artist paints with lead, cadium and other hazards
Best
Never
3rd (slit open and evaporate first)
2nd best
Lead and other dangerous pigments are not banned from artist paints.
Photographic chemicals:
Unmixed solids
Best
Never
Not recommended
2nd best
3rd best
Used Solutions
Never
Last resort
Never
Best (or reclaim chemicals yourself)
2nd best
Write to Kodak for publication J-52.
Ceramic glass
3rd
Never
Best (solidify by firing first)
2nd best
Some ceramic glazes contain lead, uranium and other hazardous substances.
Solvents
Best
Alcohol okay
Not recommended
2nd best
May be able to reuse solvents by letting solids settle out.
Resins, epoxy
Best (if still good)
Never
Best (solidify first)
3rd best
PESTICIDES
Banned pesticides
Never
Never
Never
Best
2nd best
These may be very dangerous.
Unused legal pesticides, including poisons, flea powders & sprays, moth balls
2nd best
Never
3rd (wrap in plastic)
Usually not possible
Best
If giving pesticides to someone else, make sure they are in original containers and clearly marked with safety precautions.
Empty pesticide containers
2nd best (wrap in plastic)
Best