Best Practices in Disposing Toxic and Flammable Chemicals

Toxic chemicals and commercial solutions are very dangerous to people, animals and the environment. Plants and trees are harmed when people dump and bury toxic materials in the water and soil. Even useful products like molasses kill thousands of fish and sea creatures when spilled into the sea.

What are waste materials? These are used by-products such as used engine oil, old rubber tires and left-over chemicals like thinner and paint. Through improper and irresponsible disposal, it can cause contamination and even death.

Some common household toxic wastes are the following: gardening fertilizer, pesticides, insecticides, batteries, broken gadgets like phones and even cooking oil. Everyone on this planet is responsible to dispose of dangerous trash properly.

How can you safely dispose of common toxic wastes?

Fertilizer:

  1. If you have leftover fertilizer, ask your neighbors if they want to use it.
  2.  If no one can use your fertilizer, keep the fertilizer inside its original container.
  3. Call for the local household hazardous waste facility to ask how to properly dispose of your fertilizer.

Paints:

  1. Look for your neighbors who can use your leftover paints.
  2. If no one can use your leftover paints, call for a paint disposal center and ask them to take your leftover paints.
  3. If leftover paints are of a very small amount and of no odour, it is better to leave the cans open slightly and let the paint dry before disposal.

Batteries:

  1. Disposing of batteries depends on their content. If they are more than 9 volts or lithium like cell phones’ battery, you are advised to mask it with a tape on its terminals.
  2. Call for household hazardous waste collector.
  3. Some batteries are recyclable. Ask retailers and sanitation companies about battery recharging and/or disposal.

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