Schools contract with companies to properly dispose of chemicals and materials that cannot be thrown away or disposed of down the drain. What about chemical products in your home? What household products are considered hazardous? How should we properly dispose of chemicals we use in our homes?

Visit the Wastes - Resource Conservation - Common Wastes & Materials page of the EPA website.

Answer the following questions in your notes.

1. Household wastes are considered hazardous if they contain one or more of what four ingredients?
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   Household products that contain corrosive, toxic, ignitable, or reactive ingredients are considered to be "household hazardous waste."


2. What are some examples of "household hazardous waste?"
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   Examples of "household hazardous waste" include paints, cleaners, oils, batteries, and pesticides.


3. What are some ways that people improperly dispose of household hazardous waste?
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   Improper disposal of household hazardous wastes can include pouring them down the drain, on the ground, into storm sewers, or in some cases putting them out with the trash.


4. What are some collection options for the disposal of household hazardous waste?
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   Collection options include:
   
   • Permanent collection or exchange
     See if your community has a facility that collects HHW year-round. Some of these facilities have exchange areas for unused or leftover paints, solvents, pesticides, cleaning and automotive products, and other materials. By taking advantage of these facilities, materials can be used by someone else, rather than being thrown away.
   • Special collection days
     If your community doesn't have a year-round collection system for HHW, see if there are any designated days in your area for collecting solid waste at a central location to ensure safe management and disposal.
   • Local business collection sites
     If your community has neither a permanent collection site nor a special collection day, you might be able to drop off certain products at local businesses for recycling or proper disposal. Some local garages, for example, may accept used motor oil for recycling.