How to Dispose of Human Waste While Camping

10 Ways to Safely Dispose of Hazardous Wastes

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Hazardous waste comes in many forms, and whether you're at work or at home, it's important to dispose of it properly to avoid doing damage to the environment or hurting someone. Use these 10 tips to avoid making unsafe choices when you dispose of hazardous waste.

Keep It in the Right Container

Whether it's a corrosive substance like lye or a pollutant liquid like used motor oil, it's important to keep hazardous wastes in their original containers before disposal. Putting hazardous wastes inside food containers and other packaging may cause confusion and result in unsafe exposure or spills.

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Understand What Counts as Hazardous

It's important to know what is and isn't hazardous as an early step toward proper disposal. Formal definitions can be hard to follow, and if you're dealing with materials you're unsure of in a non-professional context, you might need to use your best judgment. For example, anything that's harmful or deadly if swallowed, like drain cleaner or motor oil, is considered hazardous.

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Know What Your Garbage Collector Will Take

Some garbage collection companies have websites that detail what they will and will not take. Some are willing to take a range of different hazardous materials, including medical sharps and lawn chemicals, though you might need to dispose of these things in a specific way to ensure handler safety.

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Look for Special Collection Events

Some forms of hazardous waste, such as unused medications, can pose hazards to the environment if they're disposed of in landfills. Your local community may offer special medicine collection events that allow for the safe disposal of these materials.

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Reduce Consumption of Hazardous Substances

If you don't deal with hazardous materials in the first place, you won't need to worry about dealing with waste. Try to find alternatives to harsh cleaners, for example. You can use vinegar instead of glass cleaner or snake a drain instead of using a chemical drain cleaner.

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Reuse

Some hazardous waste materials may actually be reusable. Motor oil, for example, doesn't really degrade with use, and you can use it for other lubrication purposes instead of throwing it away. It's important to reuse wisely, though, and know whether what you're doing is actually safe first.

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Recycle

Depending on where you live, you may be able to take certain hazardous waste materials to a treatment plant to be recycled. You can find out more about this by performing an internet search for recycling facilities in your area and inquiring about hazardous waste.

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Donate Usable Leftovers

Some hazardous waste materials, like caustic cleaners or lawn fertilizers, may be useful for others. Charities that work on home building or remodeling, including Habitat for Humanity, may be happy to take these items off your hands. Don't try to donate anything that's expired or otherwise unusable.

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Do Not Mix Hazardous Materials

It's essential to avoid combining hazardous waste materials when you gather them for disposal. Some hazardous materials can combine to create even more dangerous substances.

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Look Into Mail-In Options

Some waste disposal companies may offer mail-in programs accessible to anyone in the USA. This is a good option if you have certain potentially hazardous things to throw away, like compact fluorescent lightbulbs, but there aren't any local resources for safe disposal. Major national waste disposal companies like Waste Management may offer these services.

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