Environmental Stewardship for Homeowners - 3

Improving Storage and Handling of Household Hazardous Waste

Are the groundwater and surface waters 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 breath. Products such as pesticides and motor oil - if disposed of on the ground - can contribute to the pollution of groundwater and ultimately the water sources around the home. 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, rivers, or lakes.

Household hazardous wastes are not regulated by the same laws that apply to farm or industrial hazardous wastes.  Less strict regulations allow disposal of household hazardous wastes (HHW) in approved sanitary landfills.  Sanitary landfills are now designed with liners and liquids that collect the waste at the bottom of the landfill and 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 and shop 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 surface water or groundwater. A few simple management principles apply in every situation.

• Follow the directions on the label.
• Use hazardous products away from your well (at least 100 feet), even when all your spills and drips will be contained.
• Return usable excess product, spills, or drips to the original activity. For example, contain oil or grease drips and use for future lubrication needs.
• Contain any unusable wastes, spills, and drips for appropriate disposal.
• Take uncontaminated recyclables to a recycling facility if one is available.
• Never throw away or bury wastes in or around abandoned wells.
• Do not pour wastes down the drain.

How can we help?

We have prepared this publication to help you focus on potential problems with your drinking water that may be caused by improperly used or discarded hazardous waste. Read the publication and answer the questions in the publication.

Each of the following sections deals with different topics. Next to each topic is a question for you to answer. Your answers will help you to see where you have potential problems.

• If you answer a question either a or b, you have few problems with the use or disposal of hazardous waste.
• If you answer a question either c or d, there may be potential problems and you will want to consider making changes in the way you use or dispose of hazardous waste in order to protect your water sources.

If you would like further help in assessing the condition of your hazardous waste problem, please contact your nearest Cooperative Extension Service center and talk with your Extension agent.

What is the North Carolina Home*A*Syst Program?

The North Carolina Home*A*Syst program has a series of publications that can help you to be a good environmental steward and also 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 hazardous waste storage and handling practices. If there is a problem or a potential problem, the Home*A*Syst publications have information about how to solve the problems. The publications also list the North Carolina state agencies responsible for helping you solve your particular problem.

The goal of the North Carolina Home*A*Syst program is to help protect the health of you and your family and the environment of North Carolina.

How safe is your drinking water?

If you drink water, it comes from a well or spring (groundwater sources) or a river or lake (surface water sources). Drinking water in North Carolina is generally safe, but it can become polluted if we are not careful. Many of the things we do at home can pollute our water and the environment. Poorly maintained or designed septic and animal waste systems can pollute surface and groundwater. Pesticides, fertilizers, fuels, and cleaning products can contaminate our water when they are not stored and handled properly.

It is nearly impossible to get pollutants out of water once they get there. Expensive treatments or new wells would be required to get safe drinking water again. Clearly, it is much more effective to keep pollutants out of water than to try to clean it up afterward.

People who have their own wells or springs for drinking water need to be especially aware of pollution sources because their water is not tested for contaminants as is city water. This is called wellhead protection and involves careful attention to the activities near your well to be sure the water remains safe. However, all people are responsible for protecting drinking water supplies, whether it is their own or their neighbors'.

What is hazardous waste?

Many of the products we use for housework, gardening, home improvements, or equipment maintenance contain hazardous materials that endanger our health as well as pollute the environment. These materials can contaminate our drinking 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:

• Ignitable - capable of burning or causing a fire
• Corrosive - capable of eating away materials and destroying living tissue when contact occurs
• Explosive - can cause an explosion or release poisonous fumes when exposed to air, water, or other chemicals
• Toxic - poisonous, either immediately (acutely toxic) or over a long period of time (chronically toxic)

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.

What are the different types of hazardous household products?

Most hazardous household products can be grouped into five major categories:

• Automotive products that are hazardous include motor oil, brake and transmission fluid, antifreeze, car batteries, gasoline, kerosene, diesel fuel, and car wax with solvent.
• Household cleaners include drain cleaners, oven cleaners, toilet cleaners, spot removers, silver polishes, furniture polishes, liquid cleanser, powdered and window cleaners, bleach, and dyes.
• Paint and solvents that are hazardous include latex, oil-based, auto and model paint, paint stripper, primer, rust remover, turpentine, varnish, wood preservative, mineral spirits, and glues.
• Pesticides, which include herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides.
• Electronic products can contain hazardous materials such as lead, mercury, and brominated flame retardants in plastics include computer monitors, televisions, cell phones and batteries, televisions, and computer game consoles. 

Other HHW include household batteries, fluorescent tubes, mercury thermostats and thermometers. 

Rules for Buying Hazardous Products

• Read labels. Make sure the product will do what you want and that you feel safe using it.
• Select the least hazardous product.
• Buy only what you need.
• Use products with pumps, not aerosols.
• Select water-based products rather than solvent-based products.
• Use products in containers made from recycled materials and/or that can be recycled.

Rules for Using Hazardous Products

• Read and follow the directions.
• Wear protective clothing, if necessary.
• Make sure your work area is well ventilated.
• Seal products tightly.
• Do not smoke, eat, or drink when using these products.
• Use products carefully.

Rules for Storing Hazardous Products

• Follow the directions for storage on the label.
• Protect the original label.
• Store hazardous household chemicals in the original container.
• Keep containers dry to prevent corrosion.
• Store similar products together to reduce any danger from reactions if containers should leak or contents should spill.
• Store products in a well-ventilated area.
• Store products away from children and pets. Generally high, locked shelves work best.
• Store products away from any flammable materials or sources.

Rules for Disposing of Hazardous Waste Products

• Do not mix products unless you know what you are doing.
• Do not flush wastes down your sink or toilet.
• Never burn, dump, or bury hazardous waste.
• Do not pour hazardous household waste into ditches, storm drains, or gutters.
• DO RECYCLE products and containers whenever possible.

Solid waste makes up a bulk of the waste in our landfills and sometimes ends up dumped in abandoned lots or fields.  These materials can be drink cans, soup cans, paper, cardboard, etc. which can be recycled.

1. 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.

1. Amount of solid waste minimized through careful purchase, recycling
   or reusing, and sharing with others whenever possible. All hazardous products separated out. Disposal or burning more than 400 feet downslope from well or off property.

2. Some products recycled or reused, but little done to reduce amount of waste. Most hazardous products separated out. Disposal or burning more than 400 feet downslope from well or off property.

3. Little or no recycling or reusing of products. Few hazardous products separated out. Disposal or burning on homestead 100-400 feet downslope from well.

4. Little or no recycling or reusing of products. No hazardous products separated out. Disposal or burning within 100 feet or upslope from well. Disposal in abandoned well or similar hole; OR do not know.

2. How do you manage your vehicle and equipment maintenance area?

 The design and location of the vehicle and equipment maintenance area is important. Even small drips and spills of vehicle fluids can add up to a problem for groundwater. 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 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 MUST be notified of any oil or chemical spill in the water - 800-424-8802.  They in turn will notify the correct agencies to deal with the problem.  The North Carolina Emergency Operations Center should also be contacted when a spill in the water happens at 800-858-0368.

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 at home away from water sources or your well if you have one.

2. Circle the answer that best describes how you contain drips and spills from your vehicle and equipment maintenance area.

1. Contained on paved area with sawdust or other absorbent material. Sawdust disposed at approved landfill.
2. Contained on paved area with sawdust or other absorbent materials and disposed on homestead at least 200 feet from well.
3. Drips and spills uncontained. Maintenance area 100-200 feet from well.
4. Drips and spills uncontained. Maintenance area less than 100 feet from well; OR do not know.

3. How do you use and dispose of oil and lubricants around your home?

Always store and work with oil, grease, and other lubricants away from your well. 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 Service 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. Used motor oil contains organic chemicals and metals. A small amount of oil can contaminate large quantities of groundwater. 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 clean up process.

3. Circle the answer that best describes how you use and dispose of oil and lubricants around your home.

1. Used oil taken to be recycled by an approved recycler.

2. Used oil is reused for lubrication or stored more than 200 feet away from the well.
3. Used oil is disposed on the homestead away from the well.
4. Used oil is disposed or stored on the homestead within 100 feet of the well; OR do not know.

4. Do you recycle your vehicle batteries?

Vehicle 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, and away from your well.

Vehicle 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. Some service stations and scrap metal dealers will also take used batteries.

Most 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 county Cooperative Extension  Center or your regional Division of Solid Waste Management for more information on where to recycle batteries or upcoming HHW collection days in your community.

4. Circle the answer that best describes how you store and dispose of your vehicle batteries.

1. Used vehicle batteries are recycled at battery store or recycling center.
2. Used vehicle batteries are stored out of reach of children and pets and away from well.
3. Used vehicle batteries are stored on homestead away from well but in reach of children.
4. Used batteries are disposed of in home dump or stored near well; OR do not know.

To find your regional Division of Solid Waste Management:

5. 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 water sources. 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 collections days sponsored by local governments and county Cooperative Extension Centers will often take antifreeze.  Contact your local solid waste department, county Cooperative Extension Service Center, or regional Division of Waste Management for more information on where to recycle antifreeze in your community.

5. Circle the answer that best describes how you store and dispose of antifreeze.

1. Used or excess antifreeze is recycled at recycling center.
2. Used or excess antifreeze is stored on the homestead away from well.
3. Used or excess antifreeze is disposed on homestead away from well after placing in absorbent material.
4. Used or excess antifreeze is dumped near well or in on-homestead sewage treatment system.

6. How do you store and use gasoline and other fuels?

Petroleum products are among the most hazardous substances found around the home. Store these products downslope and at least 100 feet from your well, if at all possible. Use up old fuels by diluting one part old fuel with five parts new fuel to protect y our engine. If disposal of old fuel is necessary, small amounts may be taken to a 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 an upcoming HHW collection day 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.

In Case of Emergency

No matter if 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.

6. Circle the answer that best describes how you store and dispose of your gasoline and other types of fuel.

1. Leftover fuels used or taken to service station or hazardous waste collection. No fuels disposed of on your homestead.
2. Not applicable.
3. Leftover fuels stored on homestead away from well.
4. Waste fuels spilled, dumped or poured on ground around homestead; OR do not know.

7. 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 which 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 needs 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.

7. Circle the answer that best describes how you store and dispose of your paints and stains.

1. You always use all your paints, share them with someone else, or recycle them at a hazardous waste collection.
2. Your paint or stain is evaporated in open air or it is taken to a landfill.
3. You dispose of your paints or stains on your property away from your well.
4. You dispose of your paints or stains on your property near well; OR do not know.

8. How do you store and dispose of your solvents?

Disposing of solvents by dumping them on the ground or in a septic system can allow the solvents to move into the groundwater. Avoid at-home disposal of solvents whenever possible. Always use solvents away from a well  or water sources and in a ventilated area. St ore 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.

8. Circe the answer that best describes how you store and dispose of your solvents.

1. You clean and reuse your solvents whenever possible. Sludge from your cleaned solvents is taken to a landfill. Solvents that cannot be cleaned are taken to a hazardous waste collection facility.
2. Liquid evaporated in open air or well-ventilated area. Paint or sludge taken to a landfill.
3. Solvents evaporated in open area and sludge disposed of away from well.
4. You dispose of your solvents or sludge on your home near to or upslope of your well; OR do not know.

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.

9. How do you dispose of your electronic waste?

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, non-profit groups, and low-income families use equipment they might not have been able to afford.  

Disposing of end-of-life, obsolete equipment is not the only part of environmentally responsible electronic.  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. 

9. Circle the answer that best describes how you dispose of your electronic wastes.

1. Products are selected for their longevity, energy efficiency, and manufacturer’s take-back option.
2. Products are selected based on the availability of recycling programs for those products.
3. Products are donated to charities and local groups that can reuse the electronic equipment.
4. Products are disposed when obsolete in regular household garbage or taken to landfill; OR do not know.

Household Pesticides

See Home*A*Syst publication #5, Improving Lawn Care and Gardening, 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 Service Center, or your regional Division of Solid Waste Management (see map on page 7 for your nearest office).

• Reducing Hazardous Products in the Home, HE-368-2
• Disposal of Hazardous Household Wastes, HE-368-3

These publications are available at your county Cooperative Extension Service Center. If you order more than one copy of the publication, there will be a small charge. Otherwise, the publications are free. You may also order these publications from Agricultural Publications, Campus Box 7603, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695-7603.

Additional contacts:

• For recycling oil:  http://www.recycleoil.org/
• For Coast Guard information about oil and other hazardous materials: http://www.uscg.mil/hq/g-m/nmc/seapart.htm
• For general info about handling hazardous materials:  http://earth911.org/usa/master.asp
• For recycling information on household electronics:   http://www.p2pays.org/electronics/rezelec.htm and http://www.rbrc.org/consumer/faq.html
  EPA information on household electronics:   http://www.p2pays.org/ref/02/01659.pdf
• For county contacts for HHW Collection site: http://wastenot.ehnr.state.nc.us/SWHOME/p98.htm Telephone: 919-733-4996
• For county contacts for solid waste departments:  http://www.p2pays.org/payt/ncwaste.asp?choice3=Counties
• For more information about pollution and recycling:  http://www.p2pays.org/   Telephone:  919-715-6500 or 800-763-0136
• Regional offices of North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources: http://www.enr.state.nc.us/html/regionaloffices.html 
  Telephone:  919-733-4984

College of Agriculture & Life Sciences . NC State University
School of Agriculture . NC A&T State University

Prepared by

Wilma S. Hammett
Extension Home Furnishing Specialist

Deanna L. Osmond
Water Quality Extension Specialist

Janet Young
Layout and Design Specialist

Adapted for North Carolina from materials produced by the National Home*A*Syst Program, University of Wisconsin (author Elaine Andrews, Environmental Resources Center, University of Wisconsin-Extension, Cooperative Extension).

North Carolina's modification of Farm*A*Syst and Home*A*Syst was coordinated by Deanna L. Osmond and Gregory D. Jennings. Technical editing was provided by Judith A. Gale, and copy editing by Cathy Akroyd. Judieth E. Mock, Sarah D. Kirby, and Rhonda L. Sherman were the technical reviewers at North Carolina State University. Technical review was also provided by Linda M. Culpepper, Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources (DEHNR), Solid Waste Management Division, and Jack Palmer, DEHNR, Division of Land Resources.

This project has been funded with Section 319 grant monies from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency through the N.C. Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources, Division of Water Quality.

Published by

NORTH CAROLINA COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE

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.

4/97—7500                                                                                                                        AG-567-3
WQWM-174     

This document was last updated on 12/14/2002.