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What is Household
Hazardous Waste?
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A material is considered hazardous if
it’s:
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-Toxic
- can injure or kill if swallowed, inhaled or absorbed through
the skin |
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-Flammable
- may explode or ignite, even when cool |
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-Corrosive - can
cause permanent tissue damage through contact. |
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-Irritant - can
irritate or inflame the skin, eyes, nose, throat or lungs. |
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How
many hazardous products
are in YOUR HOME? Here
are
some of the most common: |
Kitchen: oven cleaner, drain cleaner,
floor-care products
Bathroom: toilet cleaner, polish
remover, hair color, aerosol deodorant, some cosmetics, medications.
Laundry Room: detergent, chlorine
bleach, spot remover, softener, spray starch
General Household: ammonia-based
cleaner, furniture polish, mothballs, some air fresheners, insecticides,
flea and tick powder, metal cleaner, household batteries
Workshop: paint, glue, varnish, paint
thinner, turpentine.
Garage: Motor oil, gasoline,
antifreeze, car batteries, lighter fluid, pool chemicals, herbicides.
Hazardous waste
is a serious problem. But you can be part of the solution. Illinois
residents are invited to take advantage of the Household Hazardous Waste
drop off program at the Rock River Water Reclamation District.
Items such as paint, thinners,
solvents, oil, insecticides, pesticides, herbicides, lead-acid
(automotive) batteries, household batteries ("D" cells, 9-volt, etc.)
Corrosives, oxidizers, and poisons are accepted.
Items which will not be accepted are:
explosives, ammunition, radioactive materials, compressed gases,
garbage, yard waste or recyclable items.
General Tips on disposal of Household Hazardous
Waste
How to deal with unused or unwanted paint and
solvents
Household
Hazardous Waste Collections
Alternatives to Everyday Household Products
Household Guide to
Automotive and Small Engine Product Disposal
The Household
Hazardous Waste program is a joint cooperative effort between the
Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, the Rock River Water
Reclamation District and the City of Rockford and is open to Illinois
residents at no charge.
It may seem easier to
just throw these products away. But careless disposal of hazardous
wastes is hard on our planet - and our health!
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