Hazardous waste an at-home problem
By David Bradley
Associated Press
Mike Chenard may have a new boat, but the can of gas-oil mix that fueled his old two-cycle outboard is still in his garage.
"I know I shouldn't pour it down the drain or light it on fire," says Chenard, who knows that hazardous materials need special care. "That's the problem for lots of people: how to dispose of hazardous household products."
Chenard, chief environmental officer for Lowe's, is in the same predicament as millions of homeowners who need to safely dispose of the residue of home projects and hobbies.
How the do-it-yourself generation ultimately takes responsibility for the leftovers of its handiwork is as important a decision as color, fabric and material choices.
Individual homeowners may dismiss as trace amounts leftover project debris, motor oil, paints and yard chemicals. Yet all pose a significant environmental risk when multiplied by tens of millions of homes.
Groundwater bears the brunt of wanton disposal of fluids. Gas, motor oil, paints and liquid yard chemicals ultimately drain or seep into streams and lakes.
The same goes for yard chemicals.
Chenard says a frequent tendency is to apply more fertilizer, herbicide or insecticide than a manufacturer recommends. What turf can't absorb is carried away by rainwater.
Disposal of liquid contaminants can be tricky. Oils can be recycled at many gas stations. Latex paints aren't as hazardous as oil-based paints but disposal should still be handled carefully.
Because dried paint or empty cans can be included with most daily trash, paint hardeners poured into the can set the liquid quickly. Charities may even accept the results of several paint colors mixed together.
Many yard chemicals are viable for years and should be used until the contents are gone. Unfortunately, most empty containers are not recyclable.
Other harmful liquids demand safe disposal. If you've installed a new thermostat to conserve energy, don't automatically toss your old thermostat in the trash. Mercury is commonly used in the switch mechanism.
The same goes for used light bulbs, which also contain harmful substances. Contact your local waste authority for the best way to dispose of them.
Chenard suggests creative disposal of treated wood when feasible. Timbers in good shape can be reclaimed by other homeowners or organizations such as Habitat for Humanity in need of lumber for outdoor construction.
You can avoid overages of hazardous materials with careful project planning.
Chenard recommends homeowners pace off their yards to calculate square footage. This allows you to accurately measure the amounts of fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides you really need. The same goes for paints. Measure surface footage. Paint manufacturers list the square footage coverage for each can of paint.
"Many municipalities orchestrate the safe disposal of many household items," says Chenard. "But the extent of disposal practices varies widely."
Call your city solid waste office for advice about how and where to dispose of household hazards.
