Spring Cleaning: How to Safely Dispose of Household Hazardous Waste

According to the World Health Organization, over 3.2 million people die each year from air pollution exposure in their home. This could be anything from improperly mixed chemicals creating toxic fumes to hazardous waste being improperly sealed or disposed of, leading to tragedy. 

Paint thinner, gasoline, old batteries, and even cleaning chemicals can become hazardous given the right conditions. When they pose a problem or are past their prime, it’s best to get rid of them, but how do you properly dispose of hazardous waste in your home? Especially with how many types of household hazardous waste there is out there. 

What is Household Hazardous Waste? 

First, it’s important to understand what qualifies as hazardous materials. Hazardous Household Waste (HHW) are everyday products that, when no longer needed or expired, can pose a threat to human health and the environment if you throw them away alongside regular trash. These products often contain hazardous materials like flammable liquids, corrosive substances, or toxic chemicals.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) categorizes HHW into five categories, those being: 

• Flammable Liquids: Gasoline, lighter fluid, certain paints or solvents can all catch fire under the right (or wrong) conditions. 

• Corrosive Materials: Drain cleaners, rust removers, or oven cleaners are all capable of causing irritation to your skin or eyes and can corrode elements of your home like pipework.

• Toxic Substances: Pesticides, herbicides, or insecticides can all be harmful to human health if ingested in any way, such as breathing them in or accidentally swallowing them. 

• Reactive Materials: Pool chemicals, bleach, and some fertilizers decompose or explode when mixed with other chemicals. 

• Poisonous Materials: Rat poison or antifreeze are highly toxic if ingested and will lead to death if untreated. 

How to Handle Your Household Waste Disposal

There are a variety of ways to dispose of your household waste, but the trash isn’t one of those options. St. Louis does not allow the mixing of hazardous waste with normal trash and requires you to either use a waste collection facility or another safe avenue. 

Recycling When Possible to Save Yourself and the Environment

Many potentially hazardous waste, such as smartphone batteries or old computer monitors, have components that are toxic when left to degrade, but can be safely recycled if properly disposed of. There are many different recycling centers in the St. Louis area, so if you have any electronics that you need to remove from your home, take them to a recycling center to help yourself and the environment. 

Reuse, Dilute, Donate

Paint cans can be reused once properly washed out. Solvents can be combined with paint thinner in careful moderation to continue their use. With a little research, you can find ways to safely reuse your household waste without any adverse effects. 

Similarly, you can use dilution methods for potential waste like gasoline and antifreeze to extend its use and prevent it from wearing out over time. If all else fails and you have enough of a potential household waste leftover that it could be used, just not by you, donate it to a local shop or a friend in need that could use it. This way you use the material to its fullest so nothing goes to waste or degrades. If donated to a shop, they will have ways to handle safe disposal. 

Safe Storage for Future Disposal

If you have HHW in your home but aren’t sure where to take it or want to take safety precautions before transportation, store it in a safe, leak-proof container before making your determination. A plastic box is typically enough to contain dangerous liquids without the threat of leaks, allowing you to take it to a facility for proper disposal without spilling or contaminating anything on the way. 

When in Doubt, Call on Black Jack

If you’re doing some spring cleaning and encounter any hazardous household waste, take the necessary precautions on containing and disposing of it. If all else fails and you aren’t sure where to turn, call the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. Black Jack Fire Protection District wants you to be as safe as possible, so don’t hesitate to reach out if you’re unsure of what to do in an emergency. Our team is here to help you through every step. Stay safe this spring and enjoy the warm weather!