Public Services

Hazardous Waste

Hazardous Harry says,

"Help protect the Earth. Reduce the hazardous household chemicals you use. If you must use products with hazardous chemicals, buy only what you need, and use it according to directions."

Household Hazardous Waste

What is it?

When you care for yourself, your home, your yard and your garden, you use a variety of chemical products. Many of these common household products contain hazardous chemicals. When we no longer want these products, they become hazardous waste.

Many household products are not harmful if used according to label directions. However, they can become harmful if you use them improperly, store them improperly, or dispose of unused portions improperly.

Why are These Chemicals a Problem?

Some people dispose of leftover household hazardous chemicals by throwing them in the trash, pouring them in a ditch, dumping them on a vacant lot or burying them in a field. These practices are dangerous.

These products can contaminate lakes, rivers, streams, and the groundwater (places below the ground where water accumulates before it goes to a river, stream or well).

55% of all North Carolina residents and 97% of the state's rural residents rely on groundwater as a source of drinking water. It only takes a small amount of these chemicals to cause serious problems.

What Should We Do with Household Hazardous Waste

Don't throw it in the garbage.

Your household garbage ultimately ends up in the Catawba County Landfill, which is not designed to handle hazardous household wastes. Hazardous waste can leak into water supplies and/or cause air pollution.

Don't pour it down the drain.

From sinks or toilets, these hazardous materials enter either a septic system or a municipal sewer system. In both systems, the toxic materials in the wastewater can kill the helpful bacteria, and the system will not operate properly.

Don't pour it in ditches, storm drains, or gutters.

It can poison plants and wildlife, contaminate the soil, and be harmful to children and adults who come in contact with it.

Don't burn it.

If you burn hazardous household waste, you risk producing poisonous fumes, contributing to air pollution, or causing an explosion.

OKAY -- YOU'VE TOLD ME WHAT I CAN'T DO, BUT WHAT CAN I DO WITH UNUSED HOUSEHOLD CHEMICALS?

General Disposal Recommendations for Hazardous Household Chemicals

Follow label instructions.

Some labels give disposal recommendations. Read the label carefully and follow the manufacturer's recommendation.

Use it up.

When products are fully used up as intended, there is no hazardous waste. Buy only as much as you need. Don't buy a gallon of paint, pesticide, or specialty cleaner when a quart will do. The large container may cost less per ounce, but leftovers must be stored or disposed of so as not to harm people or the environment.

Recycle.

We can recycle only a few hazardous household materials in Catawba County. Used oil and transmission fluids from your vehicle, lawn mower, and/or boat can be dropped off for recycling at any of the five recycling drop-off sites around the county, and at the City of Hickory's Solid Waste Transfer Station.

Use safe alternatives.

When you have used the hazardous household materials on hand, consider using safer, more environmentally friendly alternatives in the future. Call the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service in Newton, 465-8240, for a list.

It would be difficult to eliminate all the hazardous products from our lives. However, we can minimize the environmental problems from their improper use and disposal by:

Comparing labels and contents when buying. If a less toxic product will work just as well, buy it.

Buying only what you need. If there is no waste, you don't have to store it or throw it away.

Using products according to label directions.

Prepared and distributed by the Catawba County Household Hazardous Waste Task Force. Hazardous Harry designed by Travis Banwart.

For more information concerning HHW, please call the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service at (828) 465-8240 or visit us on the web at:  www.ces.ncsu.edu/catawba/CRD/wasteed.shtml