Saturday 10/8/11
Wednesday 10/12/11
Saturday 10/22/11

Wednesday 7:00 AM - 3:00 PM 
Saturday  8:00 AM - 1:00 PM 

Route 12 North
Keene, New Hampshire 03431
Telephone: 352-5739                                                  Image Credit: http://www.biffa.co.uk/getrecycling


SOME FACTS ABOUT HAZARDOUS HOUSEHOLD MATERIALS

The average household throws 15.5 pounds of hazardous materials into the trash each year. Household hazardous materials are disposed of in other ways too. Certain products, such as used oil, are sometimes poured down storm drains and many products end up going down the sink drain into septic systems or sewers.

Flammable or reactive household chemicals can release toxic fumes or even explode if they are mixed together in the trash, causing fires or injuries. Dumping solvents into septic systems or landfills may contaminate ground and surface waters, ruining drinking water and killing fish and wildlife. Pesticides can damage sewage treatment plants, and oil poured into storm drains can flow directly into streams and ponds.

Don't let these things happen in your community. Be a good neighbor.

WHAT ARE HAZARDOUS HOUSEHOLD MATERIALS?

Look in any storage cabinet in your home. Do you see products such as paint thinner, spot remover, oven cleaner, furniture polish, drain opener, pool chemicals and hair spray? These products are hazardous because they contain chemicals that are corrosive, explosive, reactive, flammable or toxic.

When you look at these products you might not immediately recognize hazardous products by their name. When you see words like pesticide, acid, fungicide, caustic, herbicide, or solvent, you know they are hazardous. But, sometimes the name may not tell you anything about the product. Read the label, especially the instructions, carefully.

Unfortunately, the absence of these words does not guarantee the product is without hazards. For example, methyl alcohol (found in some glass cleaners) can cause blindness if ingested, but may not require a warning if it makes up less than 4% of a product. Additionally, health effects from long term exposure may not even be considered in the labeling requirements.