Always read the labels
Corrosive Posion	Flammable Explosive

How can I dispose of Household Hazardous Waste safely?

All municipalities in HRRA sponsor at least one household hazardous waste collection event each year.  These events are free to residents of the sponsoring towns and are paid for by tax dollars from each town.  There are no other cost effective, environmentally safe, and legal options for disposal of household hazardous waste available to residents of the HRRA region.  Click here to find the next scheduled Household Hazardous Waste collection event for your municipality.

No. Latex paint, the kind that cleans up with soap and water, is not hazardous and can be disposed of in your regular garbage, after removing the lids from the cans and letting the paint dry out.  To speed up the drying process, mix any leftover paint with kitty litter or sawdust.  Oil-based paint should be brought to a Household Hazardous Waste collection event.

Are there alternatives for reducing the toxic products used in my home?

Yes, there are many common products that can be used around the home that are less toxic than commercially available alternatives.  Click to check out the options.

What are other things on the label that I should look for?

Corrosive products

Look for words on the label like: "CORROSIVE - AVOID CONTACT WITH SKIN OR EYES - CAN CAUSE SEVERE BURNS ON CONTACT"

Examples include: Drain cleaners, rust removers, oven cleaners, toilet bowl cleaners, and acids.

Flamable products

Look for words on the label like: "EXTREMELY or HIGHLY FLAMABLE - KEEP AWAY FROM ANY SOURCE OF IGNITION or FLAMES"

Examples include: Gasoline, kerosene, fuel oil, butane, oil based paints, paint thinners, and solvents.

Toxic products

Look for words on the label like: "HARMFUL OR FATAL IF SWALLOWED - USE ONLY IN WELL-VENTILATED AREA"

Examples include: Pesticides, weed killers, antifreeze, paint strippers, some solvents & cleaners, moth balls, rodent bait.

Reactive products

Look for words on the label like: "WARNING, STRONG OXIDIZER"

Examples: Few consumer products still on the market are explosive. However, some older explosive products may still be stored in the home and certain products may react strongly causing fires or explosions if mixed together.Specific examples include chlorinated pool chemicals, sodium hypochlorite, various peroxides.

Safety precautions for the use and storage of hazardous household products.

Use proper safety equipment.

The label should tell you what equipment you need when using a specific product.

Work in a well ventilated area.

If a product label says "use adequate ventilation" be sure to open as many windows as possible or or use a fan when using the product indoors.

Avoid wearing soft contact lenses.

They can absorb vapors and trap them against the eye.

Do not eat, drink or smoke while using hazardous products.

These materails can cause eye and skin irritantion.