When most people hear of hazardous waste, they think of big oil spills or dumps of waste from big businesses. Very few think of their homes. Yet much of the hazardous waste going into our lands and waters is coming from our homes.

Many of our cleaning products can be hazardous to the environment if improperly used or discarded. Some of the more common products we use that are potentially hazardous include: bleach, disinfectant, window cleaner, drain cleaner, oven cleaner, furniture polish, spot remover, nail polish remover, hair spray, car polish, engine degreaser, mothballs, bug spray, flea powder, turpentine, oil based paint, oil/antifreeze, shoe polish.

When we finish with these, the containers or remaining residue should not be dumped into our trash, down the sink or toilet or into storm drains. Containers and any remaining residue should be kept separate and disposed of properly. Some will need to be taken to a hazardous waste disposal collection site for transportation and proper disposal in a hazardous waste landfill. These landfills, specifically designed for hazardous waste, usually have a double liner and other safety precautions to keep the chemicals from seeping into the ground and contaminating water systems and plant life.

In addition to proper disposal of hazardous waste, we need to consider using alternative materials that are not toxic. Some substitutions include:

• Air Freshener - Use baking soda, dish of hot vinegar or flowers
  
• Ant Control - Sprinkle cream of tartar or boric acid in ant's path
  
• Bleach - Mix baking soda and water
  
• Chemical Fertilizers - Use compost material
  
• Detergents - Choose soaps without TSP or other phosphates or use washing soda like borax
  
• Drain Openers - Pour boiling water down the drain every week
  
• Flea Repellent - Place eucalyptus seeds and leaves around the animal's sleeping area
  
• Floor Cleaner - Use a soap and water or borax and water mixture
  
• Furniture Polish - Mix 1 part lemon juice and 2 parts vegetable oil or use a soft cloth and mayonnaise
  
• General Cleaners (All Purpose) - Combine three tablespoons washing soda (borax) in one quart water or baking soda with small amount of water
  
• Glass Cleaner - Use lemon juice and dry with soft cloth or ½ cup vinegar in one quart of water and dry with newspapers
  
• Oven Cleaner - Sprinkle salt on spills when hot, then scrub or mix 3 tablespoons of washing soda with one quart of warm water
  
• Paint - Use water based paint
  
• Scouring Powder - Rub with steel wool or a damp cloth dipped in baking soda

Although we will probably never stop using some hazardous materials, we can educate ourselves to use them more wisely and dispose of them correctly to protect our future. Hazardous waste can and should be used to our advantage.

Source: Virginia Department of Environmental Quality