Hazardous Waste （US)

by Masato Yamashita

Hazardous wastes are waste that could have a possibility of short or long term effects on animal or plant health. Hazardous wastes can be divided into 4 groups.

1. Flammable chemicals such as fuels, cooking oil, paints.

2. Anything containing carcinogenic, mutagenic, or teratogenic compounds at levels exceeding established limits; such as pesticides, paint strippers.

3. Reactive or unstable enough to explode or release hazardous gases; such as acids, bases, chlorine bleach, etc.

4. Capable of corroding metal containers like barrels; such as industrial cleaning agents, oven cleaners, and drain cleaners.

These wastes have very high risk to the lives while gathering, handling, and disposing.

Places that produce hazardous waste products:
Gas stations, dry cleaners, auto repair shops, metal finishers, photo developers, hospitals.

Possible hazardous waste produced in household items:
Fuels such as gasoline, batteries, antifreeze oil, based paints, thinners, pool chemicals, household cleaning products, and garden products such as pesticides. 
Solutions:

The best solution overall is not to produce hazardous waste at all times. Here are some examples of throwing away hazardous materials.

Used oils: Pour oil into one gallon cartons and bottles and put them beside trash cans at the day of pick-up. Oils can also be recycled at gas stations and service depots.

Antifreeze: If the water pipe of the toilet is directly connected to the sewer, one may flush it down directly. If not, absorb it with paper towel or rags, put them in the plastic bag, and throw it away along with other garbage. This method can also be used to other hazardous liquids.

Spray cans: If the product is not aerosol, puncture and throw it away. If the can contains aerosol, hold it upside down; spray on a paper towel until all the pressure is gone. Then wrap the can with layers of newspaper and throw away along with other trash.

These are some examples of discarding hazardous waste but in most cases, hazardous wastes are not facile to diminish completely. 

To avoid discarding many hazardous wastes:

1. Use substitutes
2. Use and reuse as much possible
3. Use up completely, solidify liquid chemicals, and wrap all containers before throwing them away.

If you don't want to produce any hazardous wastes and decided to use substitutes, be careful when you buy products. Buy chemicals that will not end up as hazardous wastes.

There are labels that will tell if a product contains hazardous materials or not. 

"Wear gloves" means that the product contains corrosive or dermally toxic chemicals. 

"Do not store near heat or open flame," means it is extremely flammable and suggests ignitability. 

"Do not store near…" means that the product is very reactive to other chemicals. 

" Use only in well ventilated room," means it contains chemicals that will produce toxic fumes. Read these kinds of labels and decide whether to buy or not.

Go to Hazardous waste (Japan)