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Other HHW LinksTo apply for a temporary HHW ID Number for transporting household hazardous waste collected by counties, cities and other organizations, download and complete the form below. There is no fee.: Send completed forms and questions to: william.patrakis@ncdenr.gov Form to report to the Solid Waste Section what was collected from the Temporary Collection Event: Flyer about protecting coastal waters from household hazardous waste: NC Dept of Agriculture's Pesticide Disposal Assistance Program (PDAP) Temporary Sites NC Dept of Agriculture's Pesticide Disposal Assistance Program (PDAP) Permanent Sites Safe Kids NC sponsors Operation Medicine Drop as a way to dispose of pharmaceutical waste, especially narcotics and other dangerous drugs. Additional links with information about household hazardous waste from the U.S. EPA: |
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Household Hazardous Waste (HHW)Did you know that the average US household generates about 30 pounds of household hazardous waste per year? And did you know that the United States generates about 1.6 million tons each year? So what’s HHW and how can you make a difference? For most of us, a glance under the kitchen sink is a good way to start identifying the HHW in our lives. HHW is hazardous material that has already been used or can no longer be used. If not disposed of properly, it can pose a threat to human health and the environment. It’s Hazardous and It’s in Your HouseYou’ll be amazed to discover how many hazardous chemicals you store in your home! Household maintenance products like paint, thinners and glues make up more than a third of the HHW in our daily garbage. Anything from household cleaners and batteries to personal care products like nail polish, polish remover and hair spray make up the other two thirds. Vehicle care requires grease and oil, which are hazardous products and gardener use pesticides and fertilizers. Keeping our pets pest-free requires hazardous chemicals and that lighter fluid you used to start your grill is hazardous, too. Pool chemicals and pharmaceuticals take us from the backyard to the medicine chest and there are lots of others in between. Learning about household hazardous wastes, reducing the amount used, and using non-hazardous alternates are steps we can all take to reduce the waste we put in our local landfills. Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle!Most folks think the three Rs apply to solid waste, but they can be just as effective with HHW. HHW can be reused and recycled if it is brought to a HHW waste collection center. Many counties in NC have HHW collection centers. Check the list to find one near you. HHW collection sites consolidate wastes for reuse, such as donating paint to Habitat for Humanity or by using hazardous wastes as a fuel. Many HHW collection centers also accept used oil and so do many auto parts retailers. Reducing the amount of waste you generate in the first place is the best option of all. Read cleaner and chemical labels carefully before you buy to make sure that the product is appropriate for the job you have in mind and only buy an amount that you think you may use completely so as not to have any left over. You can also use less hazardous alternatives. Baking soda and water make a great mild abrasive cleanser. Windows can be cleaned with a vinegar and water mix and then wiped dry with old newspapers. In fact, most cleaning jobs can be done using liquid soap and borax (found in the detergent aisle). For more ideas on how to reduce the amount of HHW you create, check the chart below. Common Household Hazardous Waste With Disposal Information and Alternatives
List of HHW Collection Facilities |
