Recycling and reusing materials such as plastic, glass, paper, or water in the home is fast becoming a common practice. If you want to do more in your home, extending that recycling practice to recycling hazardous household products makes perfect sense.

Many common products we purchase for the home contain toxic or hazardous materials. These products can be a safety alert for your children as well as be hazardous to your health, your children's health and the environment (causing pollution and harming fish, wildlife and people) if used or disposed of incorrectly.

What are hazardous products?

The Consumer Product Safety of Health Canada in the Hazardous Products Act defines hazardous products as "any product, material or substance that is or contains a poisonous, toxic, flammable, explosive, corrosive, infectious, oxidizing or reactive product... (which) is or is likely to be a danger to the health and safety of the public; or any product designed for household, garden or personal use, for use in sports or recreational activities, as lifesaving equipment or as a toy, plaything or equipment for use by children... (which) is or is likely to be a danger to the health or safety of the public because of its design, construction or contents."

Products such as oven cleaners, medications, drain cleaners, furniture polish, oil-based paints, turpentine, and batteries and so on that contain potentially hazardous ingredients and require special care when you dispose of them.

How do we identify hazardous products?

Hazardous products are identifiable to consumers through a rating system of four words, listed from most hazardous to least hazardous.

POISON indicates the highest hazard level of the group. It means that a product is highly toxic, and can cause injury or death if ingested, inhaled, or absorbed through the skin.

DANGER means that a product is either highly toxic, flammable, or corrosive.

WARNING and CAUTION both indicate that a product is toxic, corrosive, reactive or flammable.

Hazardous product labels must contain a statement, such as KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN or USE IN A WELL-VENTILATED AREA, indicating how to avoid the hazard with safe use instructions.

What are the dangers of incorrectly disposing hazardous products?

The dangers of disposing of hazardous products might not be immediately obvious, but improper disposal of household hazardous products can pollute the environment and pose a threat to human health. Improper disposal can include pouring them down the drain, on the ground, into storm sewers, or in some cases putting them out with the trash. Hazardous products carelessly tossed in the trash can injure sanitation workers, damage collection vehicles, or leak into the environment. Some products when poured down the drain or in the ground, can damage plumbing or septic systems and pollute our water supplies.

Improper storage of hazardous products that are within reach of children, or in unmarked or unsealed containers, is a safety hazard.

How should I manage hazardous products in my home?

To prevent the buildup of more hazardous products in your home, the first and best option is to refrain from purchasing and using new hazardous products. With the rise in environmental consciousness, there are many safer alternatives.

For existing products you already have, the best way to manage them is to use them up or give them away to someone who can.

If, for any reason you must continue to buy and use a hazardous product, keep the following in mind: Select the right product:

• Buy the smallest amount you need for the job.
• Buy the product with the lowest level of warning on the label. Let the signal words (Poison, Danger, Warning and Caution) be your guide, for example, buy "caution" instead of "poison".
• Make sure you want the product. Make sure the product will do the job you need to have done. Are the ingredients safe to use in and around your home?
• Check the label to see if a product has several uses. Then you can avoid buying a different product for each job.
• Avoid using aerosols whenever possible. Aerosol products may contain hazardous or toxic propellants and the fine aerosol mist may be breathed in, damaging lung tissue or entering the blood stream. Pressurized cans cause problems or explode when they are crushed, punctured or burned.
• Make sure you know how to properly dispose of the container.
• Remember, the word "non-toxic" is for advertising only. It does not mean the product meets any federal regulations for non-toxicity.

Use the product safely:

• Use them in well-ventilated areas.
• Read and follow directions carefully.
• Read the directions on the label and follow them. Twice as much doesn't mean twice the results.
• Use the product only for the tasks listed on the label.
• Wear protective equipment recommended by the manufacturer.
• Handle the product carefully to avoid spills and splashing. Close the lid as soon as the product is used. This will control vapors and reduce chances of spills. Secure lids tightly.
• Use products in well-ventilated areas to avoid inhaling fumes. Work outdoors if possible. When working indoors, open windows. Use a fan to circulate the air toward the outside. Take plenty of fresh-air breaks. If you feel dizzy, headachy or nauseous take a break and go outside.
• Do not eat, drink or smoke while using hazardous products. Traces of hazardous chemicals can be carried from hand to mouth. Smoking can start a fire if the product is flammable.
• Do not mix products unless directions indicate that you can safely do so. This can cause explosive or poisonous chemical reactions. Even different brands of the same product may contain incompatible ingredients.
• Use it all up.
• If pregnant, avoid toxic chemical exposure as much as possible. Many toxic products have not been tested for their effect on unborn infants.
• Avoid wearing soft contact lenses when working with solvents and pesticides. They can absorb vapors and hold the chemical near your eyes.
• Carefully and tightly seal products when you have finished. Escaping fumes can be harmful and spills can occur.

Store hazardous products safely in your home:

• Follow label directions for proper storage conditions.
• Leave the product in its original container with original label attached.
• Never store hazardous products in food or beverage containers.
• Make sure lids and caps are tightly sealed.
• Store hazardous products on high shelves or in locked cabinets out of reach of children and animals.
• Store incompatibles separately Keep flammables away from corrosives.
• Store volatile products-those that warn of vapors and fumes in a well-ventilated area, out of reach of children and pets.
• Keep containers dry to prevent corrosion.
• Store rags used with flammable products (furniture stripper, paint remover, etc.) in a sealed marked container.
• Keep flammable products away from heat, sparks or sources of anything that could ignite them.
• Know where flammable materials in your home are located and know how to extinguish them.

How do I properly dispose of hazardous products?

Many communities offer a variety of options for managing hazardous products. Each community is different, so check with your local environmental, health, or solid waste agency for more information on hazardous products options in your area.

ANTIFREEZE

Antifreeze can be turned in at a waste water plants or diluted with water and poured down a sanitary sewer drain. These are drains within your home which flow to a waste water treatment plant unless your home is connected to a septic system. DO NOT pour into a septic system. DO NOT pour down a storm drain on the street. Storm drains flow directly to streams and lakes.

BATTERIES

Alkaline batteries can be safely disposed in your trash. Batteries that should be recycled include lead-acid batteries from engines and rechargeable (Ni-cad) batteries from cell phones, power tools, cordless phones and lap top computers. Lead-acid (vehicle) batteries can be turned in at Battery Recycle Centres and many auto part stores. Rechargeable batteries can be turned in at many retail stores. Visit www.rbrc.com for locations.

COMPUTER EQUIPMENT

Computer equipment contains hazardous components which make them unsuitable for disposal in a landfill. Computer equipment can be recycled year-round. Check in your yellow pages for a list of centres.

DRAIN CLEANER

The recommended way to dispose of drain cleaner is to use it up according to package directions. Never mix drain cleaner with bleach or ammonia since toxic fumes or an explosion could occur.

FLUORESCENT BULBS

Fluorescent bulbs contain a small amount of mercury and should not be placed in the regular trash. Compact fluorescent bulbs can be recycled at any Home Depot location. At each Home Depot store, customers can simply bring in any expired, unbroken CFL bulbs, and give them to the store associate behind the returns desk. Fluorescent tubes from homes can be turned in at recycling centres. Check in your yellow pages for a list of centres. Incandescent light bulbs and halogen bulbs can be placed in the regular trash.

GASOLINE AND KEROSENE

These fuels can be turned in at recycling centres or can be reconditioned and used up. These fuels, even if they are old or contain oil or water, can be used after being "reconditioned." A fact sheet explaining how to recondition fuels can be found at www.epa.state.oh.us/ocapp/p2/pdf/HC2web.pdf Note: When mixing fuels for a lawn mower or snow blower be sure to only mix what you need. At the end of the season, allow the engine to run dry to use up any remaining fuel.

HOUSEHOLD CLEANING SOLUTIONS

These products should be used up or given to someone who can. Household cleaners can still be used even if they are several years old. Most water soluble cleaning products can be safely disposed down the drain with running water. Do not mix products! Purchase some of the new environmentally safe products now available at retailers.

MEDICINE

Unwanted medicine should be disposed with your household trash. Keep the medicine in its original container. Remove the label or conceal patient information with a marker. Make the medicine unusable by dissolving pills with water or absorb liquid medication with flour, table salt, or another non-toxic substance. Seal the original container with tape. Place the package inside a non-transparent container and put it out with your weekly rubbish.

MERCURY

Household mercury items such as thermometers, thermostats and switches should be disposed through the proper disposal centres. Check in your yellow pages for a list of centres.

MOTOR OIL

Used motor oil can be recycled for free at many service stations and through many city recycling programs. Also, check with your city service department to see if they collect used motor oil from residents.

OVEN CLEANER

Oven cleaner is a caustic material that should be used up according to package directions.

PAINT

Latex paint should be hardened and then disposed in the trash. To harden latex paint, remove the lid, mix in cat litter, then let air dry in a safe place until hard. Replace the lid and dispose in the trash in a trash bag. Oil-based paint should be disposed at hazardous waste collections. Large quantities of usable paint can be donated to a charitable organization. For more information, call your city's environment organization.

PESTICIDES/HERBICIDES

The best way to dispose of these products is to use them up according to label directions, unless the products contain banned ingredients like DDT or Chlordane. If it is not possible to use up the products, then safely store and recycle with hazardous waste collections.

PHOTOGRAPHIC CHEMICALS

Mixed black and white photography solutions can be diluted with water and flushed down a sanitary drain in your home. Do not dispose into a septic system. For more information about disposal of unmixed chemicals or colour chemicals contact the Eastman Kodak Environmental Hotline at (800) 242-2424.

PROPANE CYLINDERS

Most propane suppliers will exchange an old tank when a new tank is purchased. To find an exchange location in your community, log onto www.bluerhino.com or www.amerigas.com. If you are not purchasing a new tank, there are companies that will dispose of your tank for a small fee.

SYRINGES AND HYPODERMIC NEEDLES

Seal in an empty plastic pop bottle and label "household syringes." Discard in trash. DO NOT recycle.

TELEVISIONS AND ELECTRONICS

Television recycling is not a free service in many places. For a list of retailers and other local companies that will recycle televisions and electronics, call your Solid Waste organization or check in your yellow pages.

THERMOSTATS

Mercury thermostats can be disposed through the Solid Waste Collection Program. Call the Solid Waste organization for more information.

TIRES

Contact your city to ask if they recycle tires. If not, recycle them through the retailer who sells you your new tires. Some tire retailers accept tires from people who are not purchasing new tires. Recycling fees may a.

TURPENTINE/PAINT REMOVER/SOLVENTS

Unwanted solvents should be recycled. Solvents can also be reused until they have been used up without losing their effectiveness but they may need to be filtered first. To do this, pour the product through a coffee filter over a glass jar. Paint and other sludge particles will be trapped in the filter. Wrap the filter in newspaper and dispose in the trash. Store the clean solvent in a sealed and labeled glass jar.

WOOD STAINS & SEALERS

Use up, give to a friend, or turn in at a recycling centre.

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For more tips on how to dispose of hazardous products safely go to: http://thegreencommunity.org/dispose_chem.html.