Recent Green Weeks:
September 5:
Cook More Efficiently
August 29:
Use Cold Water for Laundry
August 22:
Find New Uses for Old Phones
August 8:
"Bee" Kind to Pollinators: Limit or Avoid Pesticide Use
August 1:
Reduce Waste: End Junk Mail!
July 25:
Encourage Pollination: Help Bees!
July 18:
Use Less Oil: Walk or Bike at Least Once this Week Instead of Driving
July 11:
Water Lawns and Outdoor Plants in the Morning or Evening Only
July 4:
Practice Safe Souvenir Buying
June 20:
Reuse Paper Scraps
June 13:
Safely Dispose of Hazardous Wastes
June 6:
Give New Life to Old Stuff
May 30:
Make Your Own Non-Toxic Cleaners
May 23:
Find Ways to Consume Less
May 16:
Reuse your food scraps and yard waste: make compost!
May 9:
Make Sure Your Seafood's Sustainable
May 2:
Use a Low Flow Showerhead
April 25:
Reduce Weight in your Vehicle
April 18:
Use a Reusable Water Bottle
April 11:
Switch to Fluorescent Bulbs
April 4:
Buy in Bulk
March 28:
Unplug Your Appliances When They're Not in Use!
March 21:
Turn Off Your Engine Instead of Idling Your Car
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Safely Dispose of Hazardous Wastes
What to do:
One of May's weekly greens, Make Your Own Non-Toxic Cleaners recommended ways to avoid using
toxic household products. Sometimes it's hard to avoid these products, though. If you do need to use something potentially toxic, make sure to dispose of
it properly. The process for disposing of Household Hazardous Waste varies depending on where you live. You'll need to check with your local government
to
find out how to dispose of it safely in your area. For more information on how to recycle and get rid of household items and hazardous waste, see Consumer
Reports'
Be Green When You Clean and the EPA's Household Hazardous Waste page.
Why it Helps the Earth:
Toxic wastes that are put down the drain or even just sent to a regular landfill can leach chemicals into the soil and water, and they can jeopardize the
environment and our health. The list of items that may need special disposal includes paints, cleaners, oils, antifreeze, batteries, fluorescent light bulbs,
and pesticides.
What the Research Says:
According to the
Household Hazardous Waste page, the average household may have as much as 100 pounds of hazardous waste in its garage and cleaning closets. A 2002
U.S. Geological Survey Study found that a high percentage of the streams they
studied tested positive for disinfectants and detergents.
Why it Helps You:
Properly disposing of your Hazardous Household Waste keeps the environment cleaner... and it's safer for you!
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Last Revision: July 6, 2010