Did you know that some household items fall under the classification of hazardous waste? Read on to learn what they are and how to dispose of them safely and legally.

Identifying Hazardous Waste in Your Home

It might sound a bit dramatic to say that you have hazardous waste in your home—but it’s true! Typically, though, these “hazardous” items are not dangerous when in use. It’s primarily when you discard them that you need to take extra care. 

When it comes time for disposal, it’s important that you don’t put the following hazardous items into landfills or down drains:

  • Paint
  • Antifreeze
  • Pesticides
  • Cleaners
  • Oils
  • Batteries
  • Fluorescent light bulbs

These items, and others like them, are classified as household hazardous waste because they are toxic, poisonous, irritant, combustible, corrosive, and/or flammable. Improper disposal could cause serious harm to people and to the environment.

Choose Safe Disposal to Avoid Fines and Legal Action

Not only is it dangerous to improperly dispose of household hazardous waste, but it’s also illegal. You can be fined or face charges if you dump these items where you’re not supposed to.

If you need to get rid of hazardous household materials, reach out to your local government. The public works department or waste management office are often good places to start. Regulations differ from community to community, so it’s best to find out exactly what the rules are in your area before attempting any disposal action.

There will likely be different disposal locations for different types of waste. Make sure you get information for all the different items you need to dispose of so that you can take each type to the correct disposal facility.

In many communities, local governments also organize hazardous waste collection events at different times of the year. You can subscribe to community newsletters or check local news outlets to stay updated on when these might be.

If you live in Westchester County and have questions about what counts as household hazardous waste, reach out to the team at D. Barry Rubbish. We have over 20 years of experience providing exceptional junk removal and dumpster rental services in Westchester County and the surrounding region. We’ll be happy to tell you which items are appropriate for regular disposal and which need to be taken to specialty disposal locations. Call today—our crew is here to help!