Most of us use common household items such as paints, cleaners, automotive fluids, batteries, and pesticides. Many of these common products contain hazardous or toxic chemicals. The portions we don't use become waste and the way we dispose of them can have some devastating, long-lasting consequences. By pouring these chemicals down the drain, into a storm sewer, on the ground, or even in the trash, we can pollute the environment and endanger our health.
Fact: Each year Americans generate 1.6 million tons of household hazardous waste.
(Source: EPA Office of Solid Waste)
Leftover or unwanted chemicals poured down a storm sewer or curb inlet will end up in the nearest waterway, poisoning aquatic habitat and wildlife and could be potential hazardous and poisonous to the citizens in our community. The fat5e of harmful chemicals dumped on the ground is the same. The toxic residues are washed into our surface waters the next time it rains. it doesn't take much waste to pollute more water than you could drink in a lifetime. For instance, the used motor oil from one oil change (four quarts) can contaminate more than a million gallons of water.
Fact: Americans who change their own oil throw away an estimated 120 million gallons of reusable oil every year. Much of it contains unsafe substances such as lead and benzene.
(Source: EPA)
Pouring household hazardous waste down the sink or toilet causes other problems. Wastewater treatment plants and septic systems rely on helpful bacteria to breakdown the waste. They are designed to handle biodegradeable materials, not toxic chemicals. For wastewater treatment plants, adding more chemicals to the mix increases the cost of cleaning the water, which eventually gets passed down to the customers - us.
Fact: The average household can accumulate as much as 100 pounds of household hazardous waste stored in various places.
(Source: EPA Office of Solid Waste)
Tossing our household hazardous waste into the trash is by far the most common method of disposal. This poses an exposure threat to our sanitation crews who handle our trash. In addition, unpredictable chemical reactions can take place, sparking an explosion or fire aboard the solid waste vehicle. Another potential danger of disposing of household hazardous waste into the trash is groundwater contamination.
Since we can not completely eliminate the use of hazardous chemicals in some of our everyday routines, we need to be responsible about how we dispose of such products. The options of reduction, reuse, and recycling are important tools to safely manage household hazardous waste. Not only do these actions conserve resource and save energy, they keep harmful products from polluting our environment and jeopardizing public health.
Help us clean up our act. Only purchase what you will use. Seek out viable alternatives to harsh or toxic chemicals. Follow label directions and don't overdo it - twice as much will not do twice the job. For proper disposal of leftover or used residential chemicals in Dallas County, you may contact the Home Chemical Collection Center at 214-553-1765. Currently there is no additional fee for Carrollton residents. However, the average cost for using the Home Chemical Collection Center is about $115 per household, which is currently paid from existing solid waste collection fees.
An abundant amount of information on household hazardous waste is available on the internet. Her are some key sites you may find useful to review:
Garbage: How Can My Community Reduce Waste?
