Household Hazardous Waste – Safe & Healthy Living

Look for precautionary words or phrases on the product label. (Products that don’t have any of these words on the label are considered the least hazardous.)

• Poison – The highest hazard level. “Poison” means that a product is highly toxic, and can cause injury or death if ingested, inhaled, or absorbed through the skin.
• Danger – “Danger” means that a product is highly toxic, flammable or corrosive. Products labeled “Danger” could poison you, cause serious damage to the skin or eyes, or start a fire.
• Warning or Caution – These terms indicate that a product is toxic, corrosive, reactive, or flammable.
• Flammable – These products have a number of different labels to denote them as “flammable”, or easily able to ignite or burn. Examples include:
  • Do not use near heat or flame
  • Combustible
  • Do not smoke while using this product
• Reactive – “Reactive” products can spontaneously ignite, explode, or create poisonous vapors when mixed with other products, or when exposed to heat, air, water, or shock.
• Corrosive – Products labeled as “corrosive” eat through materials. Other labels for this term include “causes severe burns on contact.”
• Toxic – “Toxic” substances can either induce immediate poisoning or may cause long-term illness. Poisoning can occur if toxic substances are inhaled, eaten, swallowed, or absorbed through the skin. Look for additional words on the label like “harmful or fatal if swallowed” or “use only in a well-ventilated area.”

Seven Factors That Determine if A Chemical is Hazardous

• Toxicity – Amount of substance and how much damage it can cause. If a small amount can be harmful the chemical is considered toxic.
• Route of Exposure – How chemicals can enter your body. Examples include inhalation, ingestion, or contact with the skin or eyes.
• Dose – How much will affect by body. The greater the amount of substance that enters the body, the greater the effect on the body.
• Duration – How long is too long. The longer you are exposed to a chemical, the more likely you will be affected by it.
• Latency – How long it takes for a toxic effect to occur. The time between the start of exposure and appearance of reactions or disease is the latency period. Some chronic effects have very long latency periods.
• Reaction and Interaction – Exposure to more than one chemical. A reaction may occur around multiple chemicals.
• Sensitivity – Some people are more affected. Age, sex, inherited traits, diet, pregnancy, health, medication, drug or alcohol use can factor in how an individual will react to a chemical and at what dose.

• Cleaning Products
  • Aerosol sprays
  • Bathroom Cleaners
  • Chlorine Bleach
  • Floor Polish
  • Oven Cleaners
• Auto Maintenance Products
  • Antifreeze
  • Batteries
  • Brake Fluid
  • Gasoline
  • Motor Oil
  • Polishes and Waxes
• Home Environment Supplies
  • Kerosene and lighter fluid
  • Oil-based paints and stains
  • Paint thinners and strippers
  • Pool Chemicals
• Hobby Products
  • Glues and contact cement
  • Paints, stains, and finishes
  • Photographic Chemicals
• Personal Care Products and Pharmaceuticals
  • Hair Coloring Products
  • Nail Polish and Remover
  • Mercury Thermometers
  • Prescription Drugs
• Lawn and Garden Products
  • Chemical Lawn Fertilizers
  • Pesticides including herbicides, fungicides, and insecticides

Many aerosols contain isobutene, propane, and butane. Studies indicate that these chemicals are toxic to the heart and central nervous system.

All purpose cleaners may contain ammonia or chlorine. Ammonia can irritate lungs, while chlorine forms carcinogenic compounds. Mixed together they form deadly chloramine gas.

Drain cleaners contain lye and hydrochloric and sulfuric acids that can burn human tissue, causing permanent damage. If not used precisely according to directions, they can also spontaneously explode.

Most glass cleaners emit ammonia mist, which can be toxic if inhaled. Note that most glass cleaning products do not have warning labels.

House and Garden Pesticides exposure can drastically increase the risk of childhood leukemia and are linked to birth defects and cancer.

Toilet bowl cleaners contain chlorine and hydrochloric acids which can burn skin and eyes. Ingesting these products can cause death.

Note: Effects from these Household Chemicals typically occur with low-dose, long-term repeated exposure. Reduce your risk by avoiding frequent use of these chemicals, or stop using them altogether. 

Waterways – Nitrogen, phosphorus, and ammonia, found in many cleaners and fertilizers are dangerous water contaminants which can lead to algal blooms, elevated toxin levels, and mass die-offs of fish and other aquatic life.

Land – Leaking or spilled automotive fluids, as well as pesticides and fertilizers can reduce soil fertility and contaminate crops. Soil contamination is difficult and expensive to remediate and can persist in the environment for centuries.

Air – Nitrogen, phosphorus, and ammonia from household cleaners and fertilizers can react in the atmosphere with other chemicals to produce harmful tropospheric ozone, which can trigger breathing problems, and fine particulate matter, which contributes to heart and lung disease. Aerosols may also contain “volatile organic compounds” (VOCs) which adds to global warming and ground-level ozone. They can also contaminate ground and surface waters.

Wildlife and Pets – Metals and contaminants in antifreeze,  many fertilizers, and cleaners are toxic to pets, wildlife, and aquatic life. Amphibians, like frogs and salamanders, are especially sensitive to the impact of household chemicals. Diethyltoluamide (DEET), a common ingredient in insect repellents, can be fatal to pets as it harms the neurological systems. Products that contain nicotine (like e-cigarette liquid) can cause serious impacts on dogs including seizures and death.

1. Avoid suspect products – Be wary of labels with the words caustic, corrosive, danger, explosive, poison, flammable, toxic, or warning.
2. Use alternatives – Safer products can be found in many chain and independent stores. Also consider making your own products at home.
3. Reduce consumption – Only purchase the amount of product needed for a job.
4. Use products safely – Follow label directions on how to use and store products. Use safety equipment such as gloves, protective eye ware, or ventilating fans when recommended to avoid skin and eye contact, or inhalation of vapors.
5. Dispose of properly – Responsibly dispose of or recycle materials in your area. Contact your municipal/county office or call the PA DEP Recycling Hotline at 800-346-4242 to find Household Chemical Collections in your area.
6. Store products safely – Keep in original containers with readable labels. Close lids tightly and store hazardous products in a cool, dry area away from children, animals, and food products.
7. Prevent explosions and combinations – Store HHW away from heat, sparks, and flames. Separate flammables, corrosives, and poisons and place on separate shelves. If a product’s container is deteriorating, place the entire container in a plastic bucket with a tight-fitting lid and surround it with a non-flammable absorbent, such as kitty litter.
8. Never dump HHW – HHW is not safe to be burned, buried, thrown in the trash or backyard, or poured in the drain or storm sewer.
9. Never let children handle HHW – Teach children the dangers of chemicals. Keep emergency numbers near the phone. The Poison Control Center central toll-free number is 800-222-1222.
10. Never mix HHW – Do not reuse containers for other purposes.

PRC partners with individuals from industry, environmental, education, non-profit, and government organizations to host a number of collections in western PA. These collection events allow thousands of PA residents to responsibly dispose of over 350,000 pounds of HHW annually.

For upcoming collection events and responsible disposal options near you, click here or contact the PA DEP Recycling Hotline at 800-346-4242.

Transport Products Safely

When transporting items to a HHW collection event or site, please take the following precautions:

• Always wear protective gloves when handling HHW. Don’t bring children or pets to the collection site.
• Never mix different products together.
• Tighten all lids before transporting.
• Pack containers in a lined box in case of a spill.
• Place products upright and secure them so that they don’t tip over during transport.
• Bring items in their original containers, or clearly mark the contents on the container. If unaware of the specific product name, list the product category on the container.
• Don’t smoke while transporting products, and be sure to provide adequate ventilation in your vehicle if necessary.

Handmade versions of many common cleaning products can be prepared at home. These easy-to-make products are inexpensive alternatives that are just as effective as store-bought materials.

All-Purpose Cleaner
1 quart warm water
1/4 cup undiluted white vinegar
1 teaspoon liquid soap
1 teaspoons borax

Mix ingredients thoroughly and store in a spray bottle. Use for cleaning counter tops, floors, walls, carpets, and upholstery.

Glass Cleaner
1 quart warm water
1/4 cup white vinegar
(or 2 tablespoons lemon juice)

Mix ingredients and store in a spray bottle. Dip a wet sponge in baking soda to clean a glass oven door.

Disinfectant
Mix 1/2 cup of borax in one gallon of hot water and clean surfaces thoroughly. To prevent mold or mildew from forming, don’t rinse off the borax solution.

Oven Cleaner
1 quart warm water
2 tablespoons liquid soap
2 teaspoons borax

Mix ingredients in a spray bottle. Spray on solution, wait 20 minutes, then clean. You can also pour salt on spills as their occur and wipe up while your oven is warm.

Drain Cleaner

Pour 1/4 cup baking soda down the drain, followed by 2 ounces of vinegar. Cover the drain and let sit for 15 minutes. Rinse with 2 quarts of boiling water.

Use the treatment regularly to prevent clogged drains and keep them smelling fresh.  Also, pour boiling water down drains on a weekly basis to prevent grime buildup.

Toilet Bowls
Put 1/4 cup borax in toilet bowl and let set overnight. Next day, scrub.

                                                     Air Fresheners
Set out a dish of vinegar, or boil 1 tablespoon white vinegar in 1 cup of water to eliminate unpleasant cooking odors. Pour vanilla extract of essential oils on a cotton ball in a saucer.

All paints, including both latex and oil-based products, can pollute groundwater, so never throw liquid paint products into your trash. However, there are methods that will allow you to legally and safely dispose of latex paint in your regular trash.

If the paint is usable consider sharing it with a friend, neighbor, or relative.

Latex Paint (water based) in a solidified form is not a hazardous waste. The following are instructions for preparing the paint to be disposed with your household trash. Remember, it must be dried and solid before disposal.

• Add kitty litter, sand or shredded newspaper into liquid latex paint and mix well
• Leave the lid off and set aside
• Allow it to completely dry
• Dispose of the dried paint in the trash.

   OR

Purchase packets of “waste paint hardener” at home improvement stores such as Lowe’s and Home Depot or select independent hardware stores. Each packet will treat up to 2/3 of a gallon of latex paint. Simply empty the packet into the paint and stir (as per manufacturers instructions).

Oil-based paint, stains, and varnishes are hazardous in any form and should be taken to a Household Chemicals Collection event.

Please visit our collection events page or events calendar for a complete listing of the 2020 Household Chemical Collection events in Western Pennsylvania and detailed program information. For more information contact Sarah Shea at PRC at (412) 488-7452 or [email protected].

Safe and Healthy Home 

Safe and Healthy Home for Sellers and Buyers

Safe and Healthy Kids

Safe and Healthy Lawn Care

Safe and Healthy Pets

Safe and Healthy Seniors

Hazardous Waste in the Home: Safe and Healthy Guide (17-page booklet)