Hazardous household products fact sheet
Hazardous Household Products
Fact Sheet
Household hazardous products represent an unregulated waste stream that can lead to environmental contamination when improperly disposed.
What happens to improperly disposed of hazardous household products?
1. Hazardous household products that are flushed down the drain, poured onto the ground, or dumped into storm drains pollute the Bay's waters and possibly your drinking water.
2. Disposal of hazardous materials in a municipal landfill contributes to the potential for hazardous chemicals to leach from the landfill and increases landfill space.
3. Materials that easily evaporate contribute to air pollution.
Is a household product hazardous?
Certain signal words on labels indicate a hazardous household product. Look for these signal words and avoid buying. Products without signal words are the least hazardous.
Signal Word
Meaning
Poison
highly toxic
Danger
extremely flammable, corrosive, or highly toxic
Warning
moderate hazard
Caution
mid/moderate hazard
What can I do?
Reduce the amount of hazardous materials used around home. Many less toxic/hazardous alternatives exist. Recycle by giving leftovers to a friend or community organization.
Properly dispose:
When unable to reduce or recycle, follow proper disposal procedures. When in doubt, contact the Maryland
Department of the Environment at (410) 631-3344. Local health departments may offer periodic household hazardous waste collection days. Check with the local health department to see what products are accepted.
Common Hazardous Household Products - Disposal and Alternative Options:
Product
Disposal
Alternatives
Enamel/Oilbased
Paint/Stain
Use up, or give to someone who can use it.
Otherwise, store for a household hazardous waste collection day.
Use latex or water-based paint.
Paint Thinner
Recycle by keeping in tightly closed jar and allowing paint particles to settle. Strain through a fine mesh sieve and re-use thinner Let the sludge dry in a
Avoid the
Fact Sheet
Household hazardous products represent an unregulated waste stream that can lead to environmental contamination when improperly disposed.
What happens to improperly disposed of hazardous household products?
1. Hazardous household products that are flushed down the drain, poured onto the ground, or dumped into storm drains pollute the Bay's waters and possibly your drinking water.
2. Disposal of hazardous materials in a municipal landfill contributes to the potential for hazardous chemicals to leach from the landfill and increases landfill space.
3. Materials that easily evaporate contribute to air pollution.
Is a household product hazardous?
Certain signal words on labels indicate a hazardous household product. Look for these signal words and avoid buying. Products without signal words are the least hazardous.
Signal Word
Meaning
Poison
highly toxic
Danger
extremely flammable, corrosive, or highly toxic
Warning
moderate hazard
Caution
mid/moderate hazard
What can I do?
Reduce the amount of hazardous materials used around home. Many less toxic/hazardous alternatives exist. Recycle by giving leftovers to a friend or community organization.
Properly dispose:
When unable to reduce or recycle, follow proper disposal procedures. When in doubt, contact the Maryland
Department of the Environment at (410) 631-3344. Local health departments may offer periodic household hazardous waste collection days. Check with the local health department to see what products are accepted.
Common Hazardous Household Products - Disposal and Alternative Options:
Product
Disposal
Alternatives
Enamel/Oilbased
Paint/Stain
Use up, or give to someone who can use it.
Otherwise, store for a household hazardous waste collection day.
Use latex or water-based paint.
Paint Thinner
Recycle by keeping in tightly closed jar and allowing paint particles to settle. Strain through a fine mesh sieve and re-use thinner Let the sludge dry in a
Avoid the