How to Dispose of your Hazardous Cleaning Chemicals
I know I’ve been talking about going with the natural cleaning products and ditching the old, chemical-filled ones. But BEFORE you start to flush them down the toilet or pour them down the drain or even put them in the trash can, I think it’s my responsibility to tell you how to properly dispose of them!
I know that these products may seem harmless because we use them in our homes, but the truth is that these chemicals can be extremely dangerous to the environment and to wildlife that may encounter your cleaning supplies.
So here is a step-by-step guide for some ideas about how to PROPERLY get rid of your cleaning supplies:
1. First, read the instructions on all the products that you’re planning on throwing away. Occasionally, the manufacturer will give you some direction on how to dispose of it. If there are no specific instructions, just be sure to keep all the products inside their original containers. Don’t make the mistake of combining leftover liquids into one giant bottle. These are chemicals we’re dealing with here, and chemicals can react!
2. Next, go ahead and take it one step further and go to the manufacturer’s web site to see if there are any instructions on how to dispose of the material.
3. If you still can’t find anything, call your town’s sanitation department and ask if there are specific days when they collect hazardous waste. If they do, then ask specific questions about where you should have them and how they should all be packaged.
4. If you’re still having no luck, then go to earth911.com and search for hazardous waste recycling centers near you.
5. Still having trouble finding a spot to put these hazardous chemicals? At this point we may want to go ahead and cut our losses. No, I don’t mean to just chunk it in the river or throw it outside. Just use the cleaning product until it’s done and throw the empty bottle/ container away. But then you have to promise me you’ll never buy another batch again. If you really can’t stand the idea of using them in your house again (I understand) then a good alternative would be to grab some empty milk jugs and fill them about 3/4 of the way with kitty litter. Pour the remainder of ONE cleaning solution into ONE jug. The kitty litter will absorb the cleaning agent and you can throw it away once it’s nice and sealed. REMEMBER: Do not mix these cleaning solutions under any circumstances.
Are you ready to commit to a life of green cleaning supplies? I know I am!
I have a bunch of waste materials including some liquids that I need to get rid of. I didn’t realize that some manufacturers put instructions on how to dispose of heir products, I also think that whether they have instructions or not the best way is to leave them in their original containers and try not to just mix them. I will make sure to check for instructions when I dispose of my dangerous waste.