What Household Hazardous Waste Can and Cannot Be Recycled?

You use numerous products at home and dispose of various items daily, right? But have you ever thought that some of this waste could harm the environment? Many everyday products contain harmful materials and can lead to severe risks if not disposed of properly. Pouring household hazardous waste down the drain, into stream sewers, onto the ground, or into your trash bins can contaminate soil, water, and air, negatively impacting the environment in the long run.

Therefore, proper household hazardous waste disposal is essential for maintaining a safe and eco-friendly environment. You need to identify hazardous waste and understand the ways to dump it.

In this blog, you’ll learn everything about household hazardous wastes in detail.

What Are Hazardous Wastes?

Many household materials are hazardous. Any misuse or improper disposal of these products is harmful to the environment. When such hazardous materials are no longer needed or reach their expiry dates, they become hazardous wastes.

Some hazardous products in everyone’s homes are paints, polishes, cleaning agents, pesticides, electronics, batteries, and solvents. These products are dangerous because of certain properties:

Flammable- They easily burn when they come into direct contact with air.
Toxic: Some products are poisonous, and their intake can cause health issues and even death.
Corrosive: Can harm or destroy any living tissues.
Explosive: Some products can highly react or burst with heat or pressure.

Therefore, Household Hazardous Wastes (HHM) need to be dumped with special care so that they do not harm other people and the environment.

Identifying Hazardous Products

Sometimes, you use a product without realizing that some of its parts are hazardous. However, by paying close attention, you can easily identify them.

Any hazardous product always has a warning or signal on its packaging issued by the government.

You must have noticed words like ‘Caution, Warning, or Danger' on products. Such signs indicate that the product contains hazardous material inside and needs to be used with special attention. Some items also mention ‘Keep Out of the Reach of Children.’ That means the product could be dangerous or toxic if used carelessly.

All such products should not only be used with care but also need to be disposed of very carefully. Moreover, you can’t dispose of all HHW in the same way. Some of them can be recycled, while some waste can not be recycled. Therefore, it’s always better to contact a professional hazardous waste disposal company in Reno, NV, for safe disposal of such wastes.

Certain HHW items can be safely recycled, reducing environmental impact and conserving resources. Below are some common recyclables:

Paints and Solvents: High-quality paints like Latex paints can be recycled to produce new paints, while some waste paints can be recycled to produce other batches of paint. Similarly, some solvents can also be recycled into usable products.
Batteries: Most auto parts stores and recycling centers in Reno accept used batteries for proper disposal and recycling. Rechargeable batteries, such as Lithium-ion, Nickel, and Cadmium, can also be recycled.
Electronic Wastes: Computers, cell phones, and TVs contain hazardous materials like lead and mercury but can be recycled through e-waste recycling programs. Some other electronic appliances, like microwaves and toasters, can also be recycled.
Items Containing Mercury: Many recycling centers accept fluorescent bulbs and thermostats to prevent mercury contamination.
Motor Oil & Antifreeze: Used motor oil and antifreeze can be recycled at automotive service centers or hazardous waste disposal facilities in Reno.

You should never dump these items along with other household wastes. If you can’t directly send these HHW to recycling centers, visit or contact your nearby household hazardous waste disposal service in Reno.

What Household Hazardous Wastes Can Be Recycled?

Not all hazardous wastes can be recycled because of their production method or distinctive properties. They need to be disposed of through specialized programs to prevent environmental harm. Take a look at the HHW that cannot be recycled:

Pesticides: Herbicides or pesticides contain harmful chemicals that are highly reactive and cannot be recycled. Do not pour them down the drain or throw them in regular trash bins.
Medical Wastes: You often have expired or unused medications collected at home, but they should not be flushed down the toilet or thrown in the trash.
Household Cleaners: Cleaners like bleach and ammonia are hazardous and cannot be recycled.
Aerosol Cans With Leftover Content: Empty aerosol cans can be recycled, but cans with leftover contents are considered hazardous waste and must be disposed of at appropriate facilities.
Gas Cylinders and Propane Tanks: Small and large propane tanks cannot be placed in regular recycling bins as they are hazardous and cannot be recycled.

All such HHW require professional disposal services. You must take it to a trusted hazardous waste facility in Reno.

Takeaway

Saving the environment is one of today's major concerns. You can also contribute by not disposing of household hazardous waste in regular trash bins, on the grounds, or into drains.

If you can’t go to recycling centers or don’t know where to dump such waste, you must contact a hazardous waste disposal facility in your area.

Hero Environmental Takes Care of Household Hazardous Waste Disposal in Reno

Do you live in Reno? Great! You don’t need to worry about dumping HHW safely. We at Hero Environmental take all the responsibility of keeping your environment safe and clean.

We are a locally owned environmental service company that provides cost-effective waste management in Reno. So, if you’re looking for hazardous waste disposal in Reno, NV, contact us immediately. Our emergency response team is available 24/7.

Our services include:

Household Hazardous Waste Disposal
Hazardous Waste Transport & Disposal
Non-hazardous Waste Transport & Disposal
Environmental Field Services
Industrial Cleaning & Remediation
Trash Compactor Cleaning
Soil Remediation

Our reliable services are just a call away! Call us at 775-900-4376 to ensure safety and cleanliness.