How to Dispose of Hazardous Waste Before You Move
Live in a home long enough and you’re bound to accumulate plenty of things that you don’t need to bring along with you when you move. And chances are, at least some of these things are going to require special methods of disposal. Unlike your basic toss-outs or recyclables, hazardous waste can be harmful to people, animals, and the environment if not disposed of properly, making it extra important to get rid of these sorts of materials the right way. Keep in mind that hazardous materials aren’t allowed on the moving truck, so the time to get rid of them (provided you aren’t going to need them again) is before your move. Here’s what you need to know regarding how to dispose of hazardous waste safely.
What is household hazardous waste?
First thing you have to figure out when it comes to how to dispose of hazardous waste: what constitutes it in the first place. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) offers a comprehensive break down of the specific characteristics that define a substance as “hazardous,” but if it’s too much to read through just know that these are the types you’ll probably need to know about when it comes to household items.
- Combustible and flammable materials. Substances that ignite and burn easily. These include spare cans of gasoline, propane tanks, oxidizers, and any liquid with a flashpoint of less than 140 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Corrosive materials. Substances—usually liquid—that can corrode metal. This accounts for pretty much any industrial strength cleaner, including drain cleaners, you have in your home. Look for items that contain common strong acids such as hydrochloric acid or sulfuric acid.
- Reactive materials. Substances that are unstable and prone to possible explosion when stored above normal temperatures and/or pressures, including many substances stored in aerosol cans.
- Toxic materials. Substances that can be seriously harmful or even deadly upon contact, consumption, or inhalation. Think paint, antifreeze, motor oil, weed killers, and even many of the cleaning products you keep under the kitchen sink.
A lot of hazardous waste products are industry-specific, but you’d be surprised to learn that you probably have a lot of these substances in your home as well. When you’re organizing items for your move, set aside a special place for storing hazardous materials you’re not taking with you, and then dispose of each of them correctly.
How to dispose of hazardous waste
You’ve already got a lot on your to-do list before a move, but you can’t neglect the importance of properly disposing of hazardous materials. There are very real consequences when these substances end up in landfills or recycling plants, and it’s everyone’s responsibility to dispose of them the right way. Here’s how to do it.
Research the laws in your county. Before you can know exactly what to do, you need to know the legalities of hazardous waste disposal where you live. Different counties have different rules, so read up on them before you do anything else. Simply search “how to dispose of hazardous waste” + “[your county]” to see what comes up.
Read the labels. Many household hazardous materials come with general directions about how to (and how not to) store and handle them. While you likely won’t find out the specifics on exactly how to dispose of something right on the packaging, you will learn particulars about safe disposal, such as materials a certain substance cannot come into contact with and other ways to avoid hazards while you work on a correct disposal method.
Schedule a home pick up. Contact your local waste management company and ask them if they offer home pick ups for hazardous materials. Many do, though you may incur a fee. If this service is available, make sure to get clear directions on how to sort and store items for pick up. You likely will not be able to just toss these containers in an empty garbage can. Also ask for a breakdown of which materials are allowed and which aren’t so you’re not accidentally leaving out something that cannot be picked up.
Find a drop off location. Even if they don’t do home pick-ups, your local waste management authority almost certainly offers drop off services, usually on a set schedule, such as a certain day of the month and at a certain time. Once again, it’s important to call directly and get as much information as you can about the specifics. The facility may not allow all types of hazardous materials to be dropped off at the same time, or they may have other guidelines that you need to know.
Request a mail-in recycling kit. Another option offered by many waste management facilities are hazardous waste mail-in recycling kits, such as this one from Waste Management, which serves counties throughout North America. These kits are especially useful if you live in an area without home pick-up services. With Waste Management’s mail-in service you simply enter in your zip code to see if you’re eligible for this service, and if you are, the company will mail you a special container to put your hazardous items into. Then you just mail it back. You won’t be able to recycle things like gasoline or antifreeze this way, but it’s incredibly useful for properly disposing of used batteries, fluorescent bulbs, and printer cartridges—all of which cannot be simply thrown in the trash or recycling bin.
Donate. If you can, try to donate your hazardous materials to somebody else who needs them. If you have leftover paint, for example, you may be able to donate it to Habitat for Humanity or a charity that is remodeling their facilities. And your local nursery may be able to put your extra fertilizer to use, while the auto garage can possibly take leftover motor oil.
Other tips for disposing of hazardous materials
Keep materials in their original packaging. Certain hazardous materials pose a heightened threat when exposed to air or when moved into another type of container than they came in, so always stay on the safe side and leave these types of substances in their original containers.
Never mix products. You don’t know what can happen when two hazardous substances come into contact with each other. Use your best judgment and never mix or otherwise combine two or more dangerous materials.
Handle even empty containers with care. Chemical residue on the insides of containers can pose a hazard even after the material itself is gone. If you have empty hazardous waste containers, they’ll have to be disposed of just as carefully as if they still had product in them.
If it seems like a total pain to get rid of hazardous materials, use it as a lesson when making future purchases. A lot of harmful, chemical-based household cleaners can easily be replaced with non-toxic varieties, or even simply baking soda, vinegar, and mild dish detergent. While there aren’t non-hazardous options for all dangerous materials, there are some that you can swap out for their safer counterparts without sacrificing on quality.
Start the process of disposing of hazardous materials as early as you can, since it may take a bit of time to get everything settled. And if you can’t get rid of everything before your move, make sure to transport them correctly to your new home and then dispose of them from there. These guidelines will fill you in on how to safely transport hazardous household materials. Be smart when it comes to disposing of these items, and as always, try to donate whenever you can.