All household produce waste, but not all waste can be disposed of in the same way. Some products can provide extremely negative environmental impacts if disposed of in the trash, poured down the drain, into/onto the ground, or ends up in a landfill. Some products can easily be recycled, some can't, some require very specific disposal methods, and others can simply be flushed down the toilet or drain, while others are awesome additions to your compost pile.
According the to Environmental Protection Agency:
Americans generate 1.6 million tons of HHW per year.
The average home can accumulate as much as 100 pounds of HHW in the basement and garage and in storage closets.
So how do you identify HHWs and how do you properly dispose of them? Here is a simple break down and explanation.
Household Hazardous Waste Disposals (HHW)
Household Hazardous Wastes are defined by the EPA as household products that contain corrosive, ignitable, toxic, or other reactive ingredients. HHWs include: many cleaning products, painting products, adhesives, automotive products, indoor pesticides, batteries, fluorescent light bulbs, and many lawn and garden products.
Household Hazardous Wastes (or HHWs) should NEVER, EVER be put out with the trash, flushed down the drain or toilet, poured into or on the ground, or dumped into storm sewers as they can pose potential health and pollution issues.
How Can You Tell What is Hazardous?
A simple, quick, and easy way to determine if your household waste is hazardous is to look at the label: Words such as "Caution", "Hazardous", "Toxic", "Poison", and/or "Danger" most likely an indication of a HHW. For additional information visit the EPA's website on Household Hazardous Waste.
Where Should I Dispose of These Products?
Thanks to the joint effort and funding of Knox County and the City of Knoxville, there is a permanent facility to in which Knox County residents can bring their HHW's (limit 20 gallons/day) for drop off and disposal. Items that can be dropped off include: old paints/thinners pesticides, cleansers, herbicides, air conditioners, thermometers, computer monitors, refrigerators, thermostats and any other household item containing HHW's.
How Much Does it Cost?
There is no disposal fee as the funding is a result of property taxes and a grant from the TN Department of Energy and Conservation.
Where is it and when is it Open?
The facility is located off the I-275 exit 1-B, Baxter Avenue West exit. Go left on Elm Street and the entrance will be immediately on the right.
The facility is open on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 8-3:30, Wednesday and Saturday 8 to Noon. Closed Monday and Sunday.
For more information or questions about Household Hazardous Waste Disposal call For the Household Hazardous Waste Facility at 865-215-6700 or visit the website at Knox County Household Hazardous Waste Website.
If you live outside of Knox County please contact your city or county to find a household hazardous waste dispsal facility near you.
*****Please share this information with all your friends and family as household hazardous waste can cause not only serious environmental issues, but also pose serious threats to human health.*****
Interested in learning more "Green Tips" and "Green Inforamtion"? Check out our other Eco-minded Blogs:
Composting 101: What is Composting and Why Should Everyone Do it?
How to Exorcize the Vampire and Monsters in your Life- the "dangers" of phantom energy sources
WARNING: Read This Before you Upgrade Your Windows in Attempts to Cash-In on the new Energy Tax Credits.
Color me Green- The In's and Out's of Low VOCs Paints
I Am Proud to Say That Our Future Looks Greener, Thanks To Our Little Earth Stewards!
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Because of the problem of finding places that take these kinds of items and the cost involved, we have been having reports of more and more apartment complexes finding hazardous materials in their trash. I think like most businesses, we will be finding apartments having to issue keys to their trash area like they do a pool or mailbox. (Really sad)
