How to Manage Household’s Hazardous Waste

Household Hazardous Waste defines discards or leftover household products which contain toxic chemicals, flammable, toxic, corrosive, or reactive. Products such as paints, cleaners, batteries, pesticides, sprays, anti-freeze, fertilizers, motor oils, photo chemicals, poisons, and solvents that contain hazardous elements require special care when disposed of. Thus, it is genuinely significant to observe the use, storage, and disposal of products to avoid the potential risks of household hazardous waste. Many people neglect guidelines and improper disposal of household hazardous wastes by pouring them down the drain, on the ground, into sewers, or placing them out with the regular trash bins/containers. As a result, those waste can pollute the environment and threaten human health; certain types of waste can cause physical injury to waste pickers can contaminate water bodies or wastewater systems if flowed down drains or toilets. Furthermore, they can also pose hazards to children and pets if exposed around the house. Here are the typical products/items that you can find at your home: • Solvent-based paints • Pesticides and other garden chemicals • Batteries (car batteries, remote batteries, mobile phone or regular household batteries) • Motor oils (i.e., cars or motorcycles) • Petrol and Gasoline (tanks, • Cleaning chemicals • Showering products/chemicals • Pharmaceuticals (all medicines) • Electrical waste: Computer, radio, printers, TV, phone etc. • Fluorescent tubes and lighting bolts Current COVID-19 situation. – Masks – Gloves – Tissues – Empty bottles of medications – Face-shields – Headwear (hairs) – Clothes – Etc. To avoid potential hazards, disposing them into the proper bins/containers/bags can improve air and water quality and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It also helps to protect the environment and human health. So, let do it now!