In the Garage


There are many materials, such as batteries, paint, motor oil, antifreeze, tires and cleaning supplies, that we use to enhance our lives. Although these items serve a definite purpose, many of them could be hazardous to the environment or to yourself if not handled properly.


The best way to determine if household materials are hazardous is to read the label.


If any of the following


words appear on a material’s warning label, you should follow the disposal directions carefully: explosive, reactive, ignitable, flammable, corrosive, toxic or poisonous.


(“Nontoxic” is an advertising word with no federal definition, except for art supplies). Reduce


Each year, Americans generate approximately 15 pounds of Household Hazardous Materials (HHM) per person. The best way to manage your HHM is to reduce the amount purchased and used.


Benefits of Reducing HHM


 Save money - the less you use, the less you have to buy


 Save landfill space - 80% of HHM are disposed of in landfills


 Protect drinking water - for example, pouring HHM down the drain can contaminate wastewater treatment systems


Simple Ways to Reduce HHM  Buy only the amount you need.


exactly how much you will need.  Use only what you need.


Reuse


If you still have leftover HHM that you will not use, consider reusing it. By reusing HHM, you don’t have to worry about


disposal and you will be helping out neighbors and non-profit organizations.


Benefits of Reusing HHM  Save landfill space


Too often, we


overbuy paint, fertilizer and other HHM. Read the labels and instructions


carefully to determine Use only the amount


indicated on the label. Using more product does not mean it will work better.


Recycle


After you have reduced your HHM usage, the next step is recycling. When you recycle your HHM, such as motor oil and car batteries, you provide the opportunity for that material to be used again instead of ending up in the landfill.


For a list of HHM recycling outlets near you, check Appendix B.


Commonly Used Automotive Materials


Used motor oil and car/truck batteries are considered a household hazardous material. Because many of us perform our own vehicle maintenance, many residents are faced with questions about how to dispose of used motor oil, car/truck batteries and used antifreeze. The following are some solutions to your automotive waste disposal questions.


Car/Truck Batteries (Lead Acid Batteries) Car batteries are banned from Ohio landfills because they contain dangerous chemicals such as lead. Lead can leak and cause serious environmental and health concerns if proper disposal does not occur. According to the Battery Council Internat ional (www.batterycouncil.org), roughly 97% of all battery lead is recycled. To find a car/truck battery recycler near you, see Appendix B.


Used Antifreeze Why recycle antifreeze? Dumping waste antifreeze may be illegal: waste antifreeze may contain heavy metals such as lead, cadmium and chromium in high levels to make it a regulated hazardous waste. It’s cost effective: recycled antifreeze is less expensive than virgin antifreeze. To find a used antifreeze recycler near you, see Appendix B.


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 Protect drinking water  Help others


Simple Ways to Reuse HHM


 Ask friends, neighbors and relatives if they could use any of your extra HHM.


 Donate to a non-profit organization or school that may be willing to take your HHM off your hands.


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