Household Waste Collection - About
If anything embodies life, it’s water. Up to 60% of the human body is water, the brain is composed of 70% water, and the lungs are nearly 90% water. Our families swim in it, prepare food with it, and drink it.
Yet, despite the incredible significance of water, we tend to take its safety for granted. While the media keeps us focused on large threats such as mine drainage and corporate spills, we often overlook our individual responsibilities for protecting this valuable resource. This is unfortunate because our combined individual behaviors pose a greater threat than any single source.
HHW Collection Day is an effort to protect the environment, to protect the safety of local emergency providers and to protect the health and safety of people in their homes.
Since 2003, Monongalia County has had six HHW Collection Days, with more than 1,500 participants. Cars drive through the collection point disposing of hazardous household waste.
What makes a product hazardous?
Virtually all households have some household hazardous waste. HHW is generally defined as a household waste that is toxic, flammable, reactive or corrosive. A substance is hazardous if it has the potential to harm human health and the environment. Commercial products like automotive fluids, pool chemicals, pesticides, oil-based paints and wood preservatives are all formulated with potential hazardous substances.
At Home: Managing Household Hazardous Waste
Improper use and disposal of HHW products may harm you, sanitation works and the environment. The first step in managing any waste is to avoid generating it. Buy only what is needed. Give unused products, in the original container, to a friend who can use it. Unless it’s directed on the product label, DO NOT dispose in the garbage, septic, sewers or drains.
Yet, despite the incredible significance of water, we tend to take its safety for granted. While the media keeps us focused on large threats such as mine drainage and corporate spills, we often overlook our individual responsibilities for protecting this valuable resource. This is unfortunate because our combined individual behaviors pose a greater threat than any single source.
HHW Collection Day is an effort to protect the environment, to protect the safety of local emergency providers and to protect the health and safety of people in their homes.
Since 2003, Monongalia County has had six HHW Collection Days, with more than 1,500 participants. Cars drive through the collection point disposing of hazardous household waste.
What makes a product hazardous?
Virtually all households have some household hazardous waste. HHW is generally defined as a household waste that is toxic, flammable, reactive or corrosive. A substance is hazardous if it has the potential to harm human health and the environment. Commercial products like automotive fluids, pool chemicals, pesticides, oil-based paints and wood preservatives are all formulated with potential hazardous substances.
At Home: Managing Household Hazardous Waste
Improper use and disposal of HHW products may harm you, sanitation works and the environment. The first step in managing any waste is to avoid generating it. Buy only what is needed. Give unused products, in the original container, to a friend who can use it. Unless it’s directed on the product label, DO NOT dispose in the garbage, septic, sewers or drains.