Household Hazardous Wastes - What are they exactly?

To put it simply, they are the residues of potentially harmful substances you use in your home. Hazardous wastes usually have one or more of the following characteristics; they are:

• Corrosive: they eat or wear away at many materials
• Flammable: they easily ignite
• Reactive: they can cause an explosion or produce deadly vapours
• Toxic: they are poisonous to humans and animals

Household Hazardous Waste

North Americans generate over 1.76 million tons (over 3.5 billion pounds) of hazardous household waste (HHW) each year.  Although HHW makes up a very small percentage of the waste stream, it causes a large part of the environmental damage that occurs in waste handling and disposal.

HHW’s are sometimes disposed of improperly by individuals pouring wastes down the drain, on the ground, into storm sewers, or putting them out with the trash.  The best strategy for us is to avoid hazardous materials if possible. If you can’t avoid using some hazardous products, safe disposal is very important – these materials should NEVER be put in the garbage or down the drain.

Bring hazardous waste from your home to the Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day.

For additional information contact the Township Office 613-586-2526.