Some products we have in our homes contain hazardous materials that can harm our health and the environment if they are not disposed of safely. Household hazardous waste includes any unwanted household materials that are flammable, toxic, or dangerous when combined with other products.
Hennepin County holds hazardous waste collection events throughout the year to help residents dispose of waste properly. The next collection event is scheduled in Northeast Minneapolis. To see a schedule of all 2015 Household Hazardous Waste Collection Events, go to www.hennepin.us/collectionevents.
What: Household hazardous waste collection event
When: July 9-11, 2015 from 9 am to 4 pm
Where: 340 44th St. E, Minneapolis, MN 55404
Materials accepted include:
- Automotive products: antifreeze, brake fluid, lead-acid batteries
- Household products: aerosols, batteries, cleaners, fluorescent light bulbs, paint, thermometers and thermostats that contain mercury.
- Lawn and garden products: driveway sealer, herbicides, pesticides
- Personal care products: aerosol containers, nail polish remover, perfume and cologne, etc.
Other disposal options
Other products you may have in your home, including appliances, electronics and motor oil, contain hazardous materials and must not be put in the garbage. Disposal options for these materials include:
- Hennepin County Drop-off Facilities in Brooklyn Park and Bloomington. See what materials are accepted at www.hennepin.us/dropoffs.
- Some hardware stores and electronics retailers accept certain hazardous wastes, including electronics and fluorescent light bulbs.
Find other disposal options for household hazardous waste at www.hennepin.us/atozdisposalguide or call 612-348-3777.
Identifying, storing and reducing hazardous products
According to the U.S Environmental Protection Agency, only a fraction of registered products have gone through complete testing for human health concerns. You can protect your health and the health of your family by identifying and reducing hazardous materials in your home, storing them safely and properly disposing of them.
Identify hazardous products in your home
Federal law requires the labeling of hazardous products by using signal words that you can use to determine how hazardous a product is. Look for signal words on labels and choose the least hazardous product.
Safe storage
Store hazardous products safely in your home with the following tips:
- Keep products out of reach of children and animals.
- Store all hazardous products on high shelves or in locked cabinets away from food.
- Store products that say “prevent freezing” (such as latex paint) indoors.
- Never mix chemicals together (such as bleach and ammonia).
- Keep products away from heat, sparks, flames or other sources of ignition.
- Only buy the amount of product you will use.
- Keep products in their original containers and make sure you can read the label.
For long-term storage, place waterproof transparent tape over product labels to prevent them from falling off.
Reduce hazardous products in your home
You can also reduce household hazardous waste with the following tips:
- Avoid buying hazardous products. Look for non-toxic alternatives, such as vinegar or baking soda for cleaning.
- Avoid using aerosol containers because they contain high pressure that can be explosive. Use pump sprays, refillables or liquid concentrates instead.
- Use mercury-free thermometers such as alcohol or digital ones. Take mercury thermometers to a hazardous waste collection site.
Learn more about household hazardous waste by ordering Hennepin County’s “How to identify and reduce hazardous chemicals in your home” brochure at www.hennepin.us/literatureorderform. Email environment@hennepin.us or call 612-348-3777 with questions or for additional information about household hazardous waste.
This information was provided by Hennepin County Environment and Energy Environmental Education and Outreach.
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