What is Solid Waste, What is Hazardous Waste, and what Can I Recycle?

Solid Waste

At one time Solid Waste was considered everything we no longer wanted. As our society expanded, in order to support sustainable growth, we have become sensitive to the fact that not all waste is harmless. So it is no longer important to ask what Solid Waste is, but we need to know what it is not. Consider the information below before you empty your trash.

Household Hazardous Waste

Any gas, liquid or solid used in the home labeled with the words Toxic, Flammable, Corrosive, or Reactive is a health threat to people, animals, and the environment due to its chemical nature. Study the list below.

• The Kitchen: household cleaners, floor care products, drain openers and cleaners, bleach, bug sprays, pest traps, ammonia-based products, etc.
• The Bathroom: bathroom cleaners, disinfectants, hair sprays and dyes, hair removers, isopropyl alcohol, mercury thermometers, nail polish, nail polish remover, etc.
• Living and Dining Rooms: Carpet Cleaners, floor cleaners, dust and furniture polish, etc.
• Office: E-waste containing lead, mercury, cadmium, and other materials that harm humans and their environment include computer monitors, televisions, video cameras with a cathode ray tube or picture tube, cell phones, batteries, printers, fax machines, some toys, electronic equipment, etc.
• The Garage: Used Motor Oil and Filters, batteries, Antifreeze, brake fluid, gasoline, transmission fluid, glue, adhesives, paint, varnish and stains, paint remover and thinner, turpentine, car cleaners, etc.
• The Yard: Chlorine and other Pool chemicals, pesticides, fertilizers, weed killers, etc.

Would you like to know about Safe and Healthy Alternatives to these dangerous chemicals?

Recyclable Material

This is not a separate category. Some things that can be recycled are also considered hazardous.

• Green Container Items: Aluminum beverage cans, tin cans for vegetables and soup; beverage glass bottles of all colors; food jars for sauces, pickles, condiments, etc; plastic beverage containers with recycling symbols 1 through 7 (water, milk, soda, tea and juices); plastic bottles containing household cleaners with recycling symbols 1 and 2 (shampoo, laundry detergent, window cleaners, etc.); No scrap metal, butter tubs, food trays, plastic bags, or other plastics.
• Blue Container Items: Mixed paper is acceptable, including all newspapers, mail, magazines, phone books, catalogs, office paper, and other types of paper. No plastic bags.

Used Oil Program Some hazardous materials can be recycled. Used motor oil can be recycled into re-refined motor oil, diesel fuel, and asphalt. Oil-based paint can be reused as supplemental fuel in the manufacturing of cement. Batteries are broken open to neutralize the acid and recycle the plastic. The lead and lithium are melted down to make new batteries. There are many other examples. Only the Household Hazardous Waste that cannot be recycled or reused is sealed into drums for burial in landfills or incineration.