Did you know that there are about 100 pounds of household hazardous wastes (HHW – oil, antifreeze, paints, pesticides, fertilizers, and other products) in the average home?In most American households,hazardous wastesare hiding-out in the garage – 94 percent of households indicate there is at least one HHW product in their garage. Not only do these products take up space, but some can release carbon monoxide or volatile organic compounds that impact indoorand outdoor air quality. And, ifproducts are stored in an area where rainwater, snowmelt, or floodwater can reach them, they can be transported into storm drains, rivers and streams, and even well water, putting water quality at risk.
Viewer Tip: While it’s not yet officially spring,take advantage ofmild weatherto get a head-start on spring cleaning in the garage. Make sure that products arestored safely, and properly dispose ofthose you no longer need. It’s best to store HHW products in their original containers (which also have directions and warning labels attached), and keep them away from pilot lights, water heaters and electrical outlets, which could start a fire. Keep your products in an area thatstays dry and isnot accessible to kidsor pets. Once you’ve gathered up products you no longer need, take them to a local hazardous waste collection site – visit www.cleanup.org or call 1-800-CLEANUP to find one in your area.
Season: Winter, Spring
(Source: National Geographic Green Guide. Spring 2008. “Chalkley’s Garage: Start Your Spring Cleaning by Ridding the Garage of Household Wastes.”)
This entry
is filed under the following topics: Air Quality, Alabama, Alaska, Albany, Albuquerque, Altoona-Johnstown-State College, Arizona, Arkansas, Asheville, Atlanta, Baltimore, Birmingham, Boston, Buffalo, California, Casper, Cedar Rapids, Charlotte, Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Colorado, Columbus, Connecticut, Dayton, Denver, Des Moines, Detroit, District of Columbia, Durham, Erie, Evansville, Florida, Ft. Myers, Georgia, Grand Rapids, Great Falls, Green Bay, Highland Heights, Home and Yard, Home and Yard, Household Hazardous Waste, Houston, Huntsville, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Indianapolis, Iowa, Jacksonville, Kansas, Kansas City, Kennewick/Tri-Cities, Kenosha, Kentucky, Lafayette, Lansing-Jackson, Las Vegas, Lexington, Little Rock, Los Angeles, Louisiana, Louisville, Madison, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Memphis, Meridian, Miami, Michigan, Middletown, Milwaukee, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missoula, Missouri, Mobile, Montana, Montgomery, Myrtle Beach, Nashville, Nevada, New Bern, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New Orleans, New York, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Orlando, Ozone, Paducah, Particle Pollution, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Plentywood, Pocatello-Blackfoot-Idaho Falls, Portland, Portland, Portsmouth-Norfolk-Newport News, Providence, Puerto Rico, Quincy, Rain, Redding, Rhode Island, Richmond, Roanoke, Rochester, Rockford, San Antonio, San Francisco, San Juan, Sandpoint, Seasons, Seattle, Shreveport, Sioux City, South Bend, Springfield, Springfield-Eugene, St. Louis, Steubenville, Tallahassee, Tennessee, Texas, Toledo, Topeka, Traverse City, Tulsa, Virginia, Washington, Water Quality, West Virginia, Wheeling, Wichita, Winchester, Wisconsin, Woodbury, Wyoming.
