September 2014 Residential Communications Resources
Topic: Household Hazardous Waste
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TITLE: Safely Disposing of Household Hazardous Waste
TEASER
Caution! Danger! Warning! Poison! Learn how to properly dispose of common
household products stored labeled with these signal words.
BLOG/ARTICLE
Caution! Danger! Warning! Poison! Common household products stored in the
kitchen, bathroom, garage or shed might be labeled with these signal words and
must be disposed of properly. According to the Environmental Protection Agency,
every year, the average U.S. household accumulates 100 pounds of hazardous
waste items like paints, cleaners, oils, batteries, and pesticides. They contain
potentially hazardous ingredients and require special care when you dispose of
them.
Household hazardous waste products are potentially harmful to people, pets and
the environment. They should never be poured down the drain. However, you may
not be sure what to do with them. You can start by taking a close look at the
product’s labeling.
Hazardous waste materials & products: What’s in a label?
Protect yourself and your family. Read the label before you buy a product and
before you use the product. Many injuries and unsafe exposures can be avoided by
reading the label to learn:
What the product is for:
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Does it do just one job, or can I use it for several tasks?
Look for restrictions, such as “avoid using product on plastic, metal or
fabric.”
How it is used:
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Is the product ready-to-use, or do I mix it with water?
How can I mix the product safely?
How much will I need?
These materials were provided by the Solid Waste Management Coordinating Board (SWMCB) as a
part of its Rethink Recycling outreach efforts. Please help us track the use of Rethink Recycling
materials by sending an e-mail to Info@RethinkRecycling.com with a description of how the
materials were used, the date(s) published, and the estimated reach.
How hazardous the product is:
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Can the product burn your skin?
Can it catch on fire?
Should you use it outside?
Should you wear protective gloves, goggles, a breathing mask or other
equipment to prevent being exposed?
What to do in case of an accident:
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Does the label say what to do if the product contacts skin, or is inhaled or
swallowed?
Does the label give you enough information to prepare for and respond to
these accidents?
County drop-off locations
Got hazardous waste to dispose of? No problem, your county has drop-off locations
to assist you. Click here to find your county’s locations, schedule and items
accepted.
Want to learn more?
You can read more about recycling household hazardous waste by visiting
www.rethinkrecycling.com.
(See next page for social media)
These materials were provided by the Solid Waste Management Coordinating Board (SWMCB) as a
part of its Rethink Recycling outreach efforts. Please help us track the use of Rethink Recycling
materials by sending an e-mail to Info@RethinkRecycling.com with a description of how the
materials were used, the date(s) published, and the estimated reach.
September Social Media
FACEBOOK
1) Caution! Danger! Warning! Poison! These are some of the warnings on
common household hazardous waste products we have in our homes,
garages and work sheds. Did you know you can easily and safely dispose of
them? BLOG LINK
2) Got household hazardous waste around your place? These products are
labeled with words like toxic, danger, poison, flammable, and warning. These
are potentially harmful to people, pets and the environment. If you are like
many residents, you may not be sure what to do with them. Find out how!
BLOG LINK
3) When buying products classified as household hazard waste such as paints,
cleaners, oils, batteries, and pesticides it’s important to know what’s in those
products. Protect yourself and your family. Read the label before you buy.
Avoid an injury by being informed! BLOG LINK
4) Got hazardous waste to dispose of? No problem, your county has drop-off
locations to assist you. Click here to find your county’s locations, schedule
and items accepted.
http://www.rethinkrecycling.com/residents/household-hazardous-wastedrop-sites
5) Paints, cleaners, oils, batteries, and pesticides are considered household
hazardous waste and need to be disposed of appropriately. Find out more!
BLOG LINK
6) So you’ve been cleaning out the basement and you’ve found all kinds of old
paint cans that you’ll never use. You know they can’t go down the drain. But
what do you do with them? BLOG LINK
7) Fall yard cleanup may leave you wondering what to do with all the old
containers of pesticides, motor oil and weed killer sitting in the garage. Don’t
despair! Here’s a list of county drop-sites for your household hazardous
waste! http://www.rethinkrecycling.com/residents/household-hazardouswaste-drop-sites
8) Wondering what kinds of household hazardous waste materials or products
are accepted at your county’s HHW drop-off site? We’ve got the answers!
http://www.rethinkrecycling.com/residents/household-hazardous-wastedrop-sites#overview
These materials were provided by the Solid Waste Management Coordinating Board (SWMCB) as a
part of its Rethink Recycling outreach efforts. Please help us track the use of Rethink Recycling
materials by sending an e-mail to Info@RethinkRecycling.com with a description of how the
materials were used, the date(s) published, and the estimated reach.
9) What’s in a label? If you’re purchasing paint, stripper, cleaners or pesticides,
reading product labels can go a long way in making informed choices and staying
safe! BLOG LINK
TWITTER
1) Caution! Danger! Warning! Poison! These are some of the warnings on
common #householdhazardouswaste products. Dispose of them safely. BLOG
LINK
2) Got #householdhazardouswaste around your place? They are potentially
harmful to people, pets and the environment. BLOG LINK
3) When buying #paints, #cleaners, #oils, #batteries, or #pesticides know
what’s in those products. Read the label before you buy. BLOG LINK
4) Got #hazardouswaste? No problem, your county has drop-off locations to
assist you. http://www.rethinkrecycling.com/residents/household-hazardouswaste-drop-sites
5) #Paints, #cleaners, #oils, #batteries, and #pesticides are considered
household hazardous waste and need to be disposed of appropriately. BLOG
LINK
6) So you’ve been cleaning out the basement and you’ve found all kinds of #old
paintcans that you’ll never use. What to do? BLOG LINK
7) Fall yard cleanup leaving you wondering what to do with all the old
containers of #pesticides, #motoroil and #weedkiller in the garage?
LINK
BLOG
8) Wondering what kinds of #householdhazardouswaste is accepted at your
county’s HHW drop-off site? We’ve got the answers! BLOG LINK
9) Purchasing #paint, #stripper, #cleaners or #pesticides? Read product labels to
make an informed choice and stay safe! BLOG LINK
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These materials were provided by the Solid Waste Management Coordinating Board (SWMCB) as a
part of its Rethink Recycling outreach efforts. Please help us track the use of Rethink Recycling
materials by sending an e-mail to Info@RethinkRecycling.com with a description of how the
materials were used, the date(s) published, and the estimated reach.