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| Environmental Stewardship for Homeowners — #2 | |
Improving Storage and Handling of Household Hazardous Waste for Coastal Communities |
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Are the groundwater and surface water around your house protected from household hazardous waste?Virtually every household produces hazardous waste and many people do not even realize it. Many of the products we use around our house contain chemicals that can cause harm to our health and our environment if not used and disposed of properly. Vapors from paint thinners can cause fumes that are toxic to breathe. Products such as pesticides and motor oil _ if disposed of on the ground _ can contribute to the pollution of groundwater and ultimately the creeks and sounds around the area. Everyday products, such as nail polish, mothballs, shoe polish, cell phone batteries, and even some medicines can produce hazardous wastes if improperly discarded. Waste disposed of incorrectly can move down through the soil and contaminate the groundwater and/or be washed into surface water bodies such as creeks, sounds, or bays. This can contaminate the sediment and water, harming both plants and animals, especially those that live on the river or estuarine bottom. Household hazardous wastes (HHW) are not regulated by the same laws that apply to farm or industrial hazardous wastes. Less strict regulations allow disposal of HHW in approved sanitary landfills. Sanitary landfills are now designed with liners and liquids that are better equipped to handle disposal of HHW than in the past. However, participating in collection/recycling programs for HHW offers an even better solution for minimizing the pollution potential from these wastes. Homeowners are urged to take advantage of HHW collection programs offered by local businesses and by city and/or county governments. Solid wastes make up a bulk of the waste in our landfills and sometimes end up dumped in abandoned lots or fields. Each year, over one ton of waste per person is disposed in landfills across North Carolina. To minimize the pollution potential from household wastes, it is important to minimize the amount of wastes produced, especially hazardous wastes. Examine your activities that involve the use of hazardous materials and make sure that you really need all the products you are using. Carefully consider how to use the products safely, recycle, or reuse them when possible. Several communities and organizations offer recycling programs for certain materials. Dispose of used or remaining products in a way that will not pose a risk to tidal water or groundwater. A few simple management principles apply in every situation.
It is nearly impossible to get pollutants out of water once they get there. Clearly, it is much more effective to keep pollutants out of water than to try to clean it up afterward. |
North Carolina Coast*A*Syst Publications
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| Distributed in furtherance of the Acts of Congress of May 8 and June 30, 1914. Employment and program opportunities are offered to all people regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. North Carolina State University, North Carolina A&T State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and local governments cooperating. |
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What is hazardous waste?Many of the products we use for housework, gardening, home improvements, or boat/equipment maintenance contain hazardous materials that endanger our health as well as pollute the environment. These materials can contaminate water if they are not stored carefully and disposed of properly. In addition to polluting our water, careless use and disposal of hazardous household products can cause injuries, poisoning, and air pollution. Hazardous materials have the following features:
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How can this publication help? The North Carolina Coast*A*Syst program has prepared this publication to help you focus on potential problems with your drinking water and the surrounding water in the coastal areas that may be caused by improperly used or discarded hazardous waste. Read the publication before you begin answering the questions in the margins. Your answers will help you see any potential problems.
If you would like further help in assessing the condition of your household hazardous waste problem, please contact your nearest Cooperative Extension Center and talk with your Extension agent. |
How do you know if a product is hazardous?Read the label. If a product contains a hazardous substance, the front label must include a warning and a description of the hazard. The hazard may be a health hazard or it may be an environmental hazard. The label will also include instructions for safe handling and use, the common or chemical name, and first aid instructions. |
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What are the different types of hazardous household products?Most hazardous household products can be grouped into five major categories:
Other HHW include household batteries, fluorescent tubes, and mercury thermostats and thermometers. |
Levels of hazard are identified on each household product by one of the three following words: DANGER—substances that are extremely flammable, corrosive, or highly toxic. POISON—substances that are highly toxic. WARNING or CAUTION—substances that are moderately or slightly toxic.
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Tips for Buying Hazardous Products
Rules for Using Hazardous Products
Rules for Storing Hazardous Products
Rules for Disposing of Hazardous Waste Products
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Hazardous products can enter your body in three ways: Ingestion How do you dispose of your waste?As long as solid waste generated from household uses is disposed of in a pollution- and problem-free manner, there is no reason to worry that you will fall under state regulations covering disposal of solid wastes. Pay attention to all local regulations when disposing of wastes on your site. Several communities offer recycling programs for certain materials. Check with your local waste disposal company to see if this service is offered. Open burning of dry combustibles in small amounts is appropriate where permitted by local ordinance. Dry combustibles include untreated and unpainted wood, paper, and cardboard. Minimize adverse health effects from smoke by burning outdoors in well-ventilated areas. Materials or products containing toxic or harmful substances — including empty pesticide bags — should not be burned. While burning may destroy some toxic substances, others will concentrate in the smoke, ash, and sludge which results from the burning. Repeated burning in the same location may cause the toxic substances to accumulate around the burn area. |
Boat/Automotive/Equipment Maintenance Products |
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| Potentially hazardous substances that are categorized as boat/automotive/equipment maintenance products are batteries, motor oil, grease and other lubricants, antifreeze, and gasoline and related petroleum products. These pollutants can gravely affect water quality and cause die off of marine plants and animals. Any spills that cause a sheen or discoloration of any size must be reported to the National Response Center at 800-424-8802. |
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1. How do you manage your boat, vehicle, and equipment maintenance area?The design and location of the boat, vehicle, and equipment maintenance area is important. Even small drips and spills of vehicle or boat fluids can add up to a problem for groundwater and can leach to the coastal estuaries, creeks, and marshes. Try to avoid maintenance activities close to surface waters or near a well if you have one. Use a location where spills and drips from your vehicles, boats, and equipment can be contained. If possible, use drip pans to collect oil. Soak up small drips and spills with sawdust or kitty litter and then dispose of this material in a safe area away from any surface water supply or well, preferably in a sanitary landfill. Federal law requires that the National Response Center (800-424-8802) MUST be notified of any oil or chemical spill in the water. They in turn will notify the correct agencies to deal with the problem. The North Carolina Emergency Operations Center (800-858-0368) should also be contacted when a spill in the water happens. Recycle containers that held oil or vehicle maintenance products. Take the containers to a recycling center. If the containers cannot be recycled, dispose of them at an approved sanitary landfill or store them on the home away from water sources or a well if you have one.
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1. Circle the answer that best describes how you contain drips and spills from your boat, vehicle, and equipment maintenance area. a. Contained on paved area with sawdust or other absorbent material. Sawdust disposed at approved landfill. b. Contained on paved area with sawdust or other absorbent materials and disposed on property at least 200 feet from well or water source. c. Drips and spills uncontained. Maintenance area 100-200 feet from well or water source. d. Drips and spills uncontained. Maintenance area less than 100 feet from well or water source; OR you do not know.
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2. How do you use and dispose of oil and lubricants around your home or dock?Always store and work with oil, grease, and other lubricants away from a water source. Use up grease and other lubricating products, or share them with someone who needs them. Store waste oil in closed, labeled containers (plastic milk jugs work well) until you can take the oil to be recycled. Most county governments provide used oil collection centers for their citizens. These are usually located at county landfills, transfer stations, or convenience centers. Service stations often accept limited amounts of used oil or can inform you of places that do accept it. Several of the national auto parts chain stores will take used oil to be recycled. Your county Cooperative Extension Center or local government may sponsor a household hazardous waste collection day for citizens to drop off used oil and other household hazardous wastes. Call them to find out when the next one will be or locations where used oil can be recycled. Disposing of used oil around your home, such as on driveways or around buildings and fences, can lead to contamination of your family's or a neighbor's drinking water supply as well as the surrounding coastal waters. Used motor oil contains organic chemicals and metals. A small amount of oil can contaminate large quantities of groundwater and surface waters. It is illegal to use oil for road oiling and dust control. If a spill of oil or other lubricants occurs, contact the National Response Center (800-424-8802) and the North Carolina Emergency Operations Center (800-858-0368) at once to start the cleanup process. |
2. Circle the answer that best describes how you use and dispose of oil and lubricants around your home or dock. a. Used oil taken to be recycled by an approved recycler. b. Used oil is reused for lubrication or stored more than 200 feet away from well or water source. c. Used oil is disposed on the property away from well or water source. d. Used oil is disposed or stored on the property within 100 feet of well or water source; OR you do not know.
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3. Do you recycle your vehicle/boat batteries?Vehicle and boat batteries contain lead and sulfuric acid. The lead can contaminate water and the acid can burn skin. A battery contains approximately 18 pounds of toxic metals and a gallon of corrosive acids. Batteries should be stored in a safe dry place out of direct sunlight, out of reach of children and pets, away from your well, and away from any water sources. Vehicle and boat batteries cannot be disposed of in landfills. The only satisfactory way to dispose of old batteries is to recycle them. All stores that sell batteries will take back used batteries. Many county governments provide collection centers for lead acid batteries in the same locations as for collecting used oil — county landfills, transfer stations, or convenience centers. Household hazardous waste collection days sponsored by local government or county Cooperative Extension Centers will take vehicle batteries. Contact your local solid waste department, county Cooperative Extension Center, or regional Division of Solid Waste Management for more information on where to recycle batteries or on upcoming HHW collection days in your community. To find your regional Division of Solid Waste Management:Asheville Regional Office Fayetteville Regional Office Mooresville Regional Office Washington Regional Office Raleigh Regional Office Wilmington Regional Office Winston-Salem Regional Office |
3. Circle the answer that best describes how you store and dispose of your vehicle/boat batteries. a. Used vehicle batteries are recycled at battery store or recycling center. b. Used vehicle batteries are stored out of reach of children and pets and away from well and water sources. c. Used vehicle batteries are stored on property away from well and water sources but in reach of children. d. Used batteries are disposed of in home dump or stored near well or water source; OR you do not know.
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4. How do you dispose of your antifreeze?Pouring antifreeze on the ground or into a ditch can lead to ingestion by pets, seepage into the groundwater supply, or contamination of surface waters such as creeks, bays, sounds, or the ocean. Antifreeze contains chemicals which are poisonous to animals and humans. Pets will lap up an antifreeze puddle because it tastes sweet. This is often fatal. Therefore, it is very important to store your antifreeze in a safe place, secured from children and pets. Do not pour your antifreeze into your septic system. The antifreeze will kill the beneficial organisms in your septic system that make it work. Used or excess antifreeze should be recycled. Antifreeze cannot be disposed of in a sanitary landfill. Some service stations and national auto parts stores will take antifreeze. Household hazardous waste collection days sponsored by local government or county Cooperative Extension Centers will often take antifreeze. Contact your local solid waste department, county Cooperative Extension Center, or regional Division of Waste Management for more information on where to recycle antifreeze in your community. |
4. Circle the answer that best describes how you store and dispose of antifreeze. a. Used or excess antifreeze is b. Used or excess antifreeze is stored on the property
away from well or water source. d. Used or excess antifreeze is dumped near well or water source or in on-site sewage treatment system; OR you do not know.
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5. How do you store and use gasoline and other fuels?Petroleum products are among the most hazardous substances found around the home or around docks. Store these products downslope and at least 100 feet from your well or surrounding coastal waters, if at all possible. Use up old fuels by diluting one part old fuel with five parts new fuel to protect your engine. If disposal of old fuel is necessary, small amounts may be taken to a marina, service station, or hazardous waste collection event. Contact your local solid waste department, county Cooperative Extension Center, or regional Division of Waste Management to get information on upcoming HHW collection days in your community or to locate a nearby business that will accept old fuels. Contact your local health department for the proper procedures for disposing of large quantities of fuel. |
5. Circle the answer that best describes how you store and dispose of your gasoline and other types of fuel. a. Leftover fuels used or taken to service station or hazardous waste collection. No fuels disposed of on your property. b. Not applicable. c. Leftover fuels stored on property away from well or water source. d. Waste fuels spilled, dumped or poured on ground around property; OR you do not know. |
Paints and Solvents |
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| The best method for managing paint, solvents, and cleaning products is to use them up. To avoid wasting any of these products, buy only the quantity that you need. Store them in well-ventilated areas, away from children and pets. |
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6. How do you store and dispose of your paints and stains?The best way to use up old paint is to find a painting project or give it to someone who will use it. Store paint in a dry place where it won't freeze. Paint usually is usable if it mixes well when stirred and hasn't been frozen and thawed repeatedly. Oil-based paints have a solvent base that can be harmful to septic systems and sewage systems if the paint is poured down the drain. Use up what is left over or drop off the remainder at a HHW collection day. Small quantities of latex paint that need to be disposed of should first be dried out in a well-ventilated area away from children, pets, flames, or anything that might spark. Add kitty litter or cement to aid in drying or hardening. This can be disposed with household garbage. For larger quantities of either latex or oil-based paints, find other uses for the paint by contacting service agencies, such as Habitat for Humanity, or your original paint dealer. |
6. Circle the answer that best describes how you store and dispose of your paints and stains. a. You always use all your paints, share them with someone else, or recycle them at a hazardous waste collection. b. Your paint or stain is evaporated in open air or it is taken to a landfill. c. You dispose of your paints or stains on your property away from your well or water source. d. You dispose of your paints or stains on your property near your well or water source; OR you do not know. |
7. How do you store and dispose of your solvents?Solvents can be paint thinners, paint strippers, refrigerants, degreasers, certain glues, and even fingernail polish remover. Disposing of solvents by dumping them on the ground or in a septic system can allow the solvents to move into the groundwater. Avoid on-site disposal of solvents whenever possible. Always use solvents away from a well or water source and in a ventilated area. Store them in the original containers and out of the reach of children. Some solvents, such as paint thinner, can be cleaned and reused. Clean dirty solvents by placing in a closed transparent container and storing them until the paint or other material settles to the bottom. After the sludge has settled out, pour the clean, reusable solvent off the top. Let the sludge dry and take it to a permitted landfill or household hazardous waste collection site. If you have any questions about sludge disposal, contact your regional Division of Solid Waste Management. |
7. Circle the answer that best describes how you store and dispose of your solvents. a. You clean and reuse your solvents whenever possible. Sludge from your cleaned solvents are taken to a landfill. Solvents that cannot be cleaned are taken to a hazardous waste collection facility. b. Liquid evaporated in open air or well-ventilated area. Paint or sludge taken to a landfill. c. Solvents evaporated in open area and sludge disposed of away from well or water source. d. You dispose of your solvents or sludge on your property near to or upslope of your well or water source; OR you do not know. |
Household Electronic Waste |
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| As usage of electronic equipment increase, so does the disposal of obsolete equipment, batteries, circuit boards, etc. The EPA has determined that one percent of the solid materials going into landfills today are made up of electronic waste. Alternatives are available and should be considered when purchasing and maintaining such equipment. | |
8. How do you dispose of your electronic wastes?Old computer monitors, computer game consoles, cell phone batteries are just a few types of the electronic waste that contain lead or mercury. The heavy metals used in electronic materials can leach into the groundwater and surrounding coastal waters if not properly disposed. Selecting equipment that will last will keep you from disposing of equipment that will fail sooner. This may be the more expensive approach initially. However in the long run, you will save money rather than having to replace the broken piece often. Recycling the electronic equipment helps avoid pollution problems and helps save energy and valuable resources needed to manufacture the product. Several local governments offer recycling opportunities for electronic and computer recycling HHW collection days. The North Carolina Division of Waste Management also has information about other companies and communities that offer recycling options. Donating electronic equipment to organizations such as Goodwill will help extend the life of the equipment and help schools, nonprofit groups, and low-income families use equipment they might not have been able to afford. Disposing of end-of-life, obsolete electronic equipment is not the only part of being environmentally responsible. Buying products that are made with fewer toxic materials, that are energy efficient (look for the Energy Star label), and that are made up of recycled materials can help you reduce the impact on the environment. Many manufacturers offer leasing or take-back options on their equipment which can help keep the products out of landfills and water sources. |
8. Circle the answer that best describes how you dispose of your electronic wastes. a. Products are selected for their longevity, energy efficiency, and manufacturer's take-back option. b. Products are selected based on the availability of recycling programs for those products. c. Products are donated to charities and local groups that can reuse the electronic equipment. d. Products are disposed when obsolete in regular household garbage or taken to landfill; OR you do not know.
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In Case of Emergency
Regardless of whether you are using a cleaning product or a pesticide, don't rely only on the label for information on health emergencies or environmental impact. The information may be incomplete or incorrect. North Carolina's Poison Control Center (for health emergencies: 1-800-672-1697) can provide emergency advice about a product. |
REMINDER |
For household pesticides:See Coast*A*Syst publication #4, Improving Lawn Care and Gardening For Coastal Communities, for information on storage, handling, and disposal of pesticides. For more information:For more information about hazardous wastes, contact your local government solid waste department, community recycling coordinator, county Cooperative Extension Center or your regional Division of Solid Waste Management (see page 6 for your nearest office). Related publications available from Cooperative Extension:
These publications are available at your county Cooperative Extension Center. You may also order these publications from Agricultural Publications, Campus Box 7603, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695-7603. Additional contacts:
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What is the North Carolina Coast*A*Syst Program?The North Carolina Coast*A*Syst program is a series of publications that can help you in becoming a good coastal environmental steward and protect the health and well-being of your family. This publication leads you through an evaluation of your home and property to determine the pollution and health risks of your development and construction practices. It also provides information on solving potential problems that you may identify. The publications also list the North Carolina state agencies responsible for helping you solve your particular problems. This Coast*A*Syst program is modeled after the South Carolina Coast*A*Syst program. South Carolina was the first state to develop such a program. The goal of the North Carolina Coast*A*Syst program is to help protect the health of you and your family and the coastal environment of North Carolina.
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North Carolina's modification of Coast*A*Syst was coordinated by Deanna L. Osmond. Sarah Kirby was the technical reviewer at North Carolina State University. Technical review was also provided by Sherri Coghill, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Soil Waste Management Division, and Royce Batts, North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
Prepared by Deanna L. Osmond, Water Quality Extension Specialist Grace R. Lawrence, Coast*A*Syst Coordinator Janet Young, Layout & Design Specialist |
10,000 copies of this document were printed at a cost of $2,085 or $0.21 per document with funds provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (through the North Carolina Coastal Nonpoint Source Program administered jointly by the NC DENR Division's of Water Quality and Coastal Management).
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Published byNORTH CAROLINA COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE 1/03 - 10,000 AG-565-05 |
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