Tips for Properly Disposing of Different Types of Waste

You might not think of household waste as hazardous. However, the average household has plenty of different types of hazardous waste. Most waste is hazardous because of chemicals that it contains. However, some waste is hazardous for other reasons, such as waste containing medical sharps.

Common types of hazardous waste include cleaners, batteries, electronics, fuels, paints, fluorescent light bulbs, pool chemicals, pesticides, insecticides, wood stains and varnishes, mercury, and lead. Depending on the type and amount, some of these types of hazardous waste can go in normal household waste. However, if they are in large amounts, you may want to dispose of it in a household waste drop-off facility.

First, you need to identify where the waste goes. If you have curbside trash and recycling pick-up, contact your waste management company. They may have designated days for disposing of hazardous household waste. If not, they may have local area resources for you to drop off that waste.

Next, you need to take steps to safely dispose of the waste. You want to dispose of hazardous waste in its original containers. That means you know what is in the container. More importantly, workers handling the waste will know what it is, so they can accurately sort it.

If you are transporting the waste to a facility, you need to do so safely. Store your chemicals in sealed containers. Place them upright in your vehicle and secure them so that they do not spill. Before you put it in your vehicle, make sure that the container is secure and not leaking. Leaking containers could cause a serious problem. Do not mix any products together. Even seemingly harmless, everyday household cleaners can be deadly when mixed together.

Another source of household waste is medicine. New Jersey has drop box locations where you can dispose of unused medication. The boxes are available seven days a week. You can drop off unneeded and/or expired medications. They accept pills, capsules, inhalers, patches, and pet medications. They do not accept liquid medication.

Sharps are another potentially hazardous waste. Disposing of sharps and other types of medical waste safely is important to avoid the potential of contaminating a sanitation worker. Most household medical waste, such as bloody bandages, can be safely disposed of in your household garbage. However, you must take special precautions for sharps. Place sharps in a secure plastic container. You can purchase a sharps container. You can also use existing, strong household plastic such as a detergent container. It cannot be in thin plastic like water bottles. You can fill the container up to ¾ full. Then seal it and secure the seal with duct tape. Do not recycle it! Instead, place it in the garbage.