Cleaning your home is important, but what is to be done when it’s time to get rid of those almost empty bottles of cleaner or that old box of powder that’s been sitting under the sink? Proper disposal of cleaning products doesn’t just declutter your space but also makes your home safer and helps the environment. Let’s look at how you can responsibly dispose of these products.
Cleaning Products: The Hidden Environmental Impact
Many cleaning products contain volatile chemicals. These have long-term harmful effects on the environment, as most of them are (improperly) thrown away into the trash or dumped down the drain, which can drip into the water systems, thus polluting the environment, damaging aquatic life, and even affecting the quality of your water supply in the process.
Improper disposal is known to have the following effects on the environment:
- Water contamination: Chemicals can end up in rivers, lakes, and oceans, thus posing a threat to marine life.
- Soil contamination: Some chemicals may not be degraded and hence may contaminate the soil for a long period.
- Air pollution: Aerosol cans and some volatile cleaning products release harmful gases into the atmosphere.
Taking your time to properly dispose of cleaning products not only keeps your home safe but also goes a long way in reducing these environmental risks.
Precautions for Safe Disposal of Cleaning Products
First things first, before you begin tossing out half-used cleaner bottles or aerosol cans, there are a few necessary precautions that must be taken to protect yourself and others.
- Read the labels: Most cleaning products contain disposal instructions. Pay attention to any warnings or special instructions.
- Wear gloves: In cases where you will be dealing with harsh chemicals, it is best to wear gloves to avoid skin contact.
- Keep away from kids and pets: Make sure to keep all cleaning products out of the way until you are ready to get rid of them.
- Avoid mixing products: The mixture of cleaning products, like bleach mixed with ammonia, can produce toxic gases or hazardous chemical reactions.
How to Safely Dispose of Liquid Cleaning Products
Liquid cleaning supplies are some of the most common household products. Whether it be a half-full bottle of bleach or some sort of glass cleaner in an old container, there is a safe way to dispose of them.
- Check for disposal instructions: Most non-hazardous liquids can be disposed of by being diluted with water and poured down the drain. This is allowed only when the local regulations permit it. Otherwise, contact your waste management locally.
- Use it up: The best thing that can be done to reduce waste is to use the remaining product in the container before throwing it away.
- For hazardous liquids, these need to be taken to a hazardous waste facility.
How to Dispose of Solid and Powder Cleaning Products
Special care must be taken when cleaning products are solids or powders, like scouring powders and bleach tablets. Here’s how to ensure they’re properly disposed of:
- Non-hazardous solids and powders: These can usually just be tossed into your household trash, as long as you seal them first in a plastic bag to avoid exposure by accident.
- Hazardous solids and powders: Those products that contain strong chemicals in them should be taken to a hazardous waste facility. Do not try to dump them down the drain since they can clog them and pose environmental hazards.
- Not mixing: Just like liquid products, do not mix different powders since they may also cause a chemical reaction.
How to Dispose of Aerosol Cleaning Products
Aerosol cans are particularly problematic due to the compressed gas held within. These can easily explode or release toxic fumes if not handled properly.
- Empty aerosol can: It may commonly be recycled with your household recyclables. Check your local recycling guidelines.
- Partially full cans: Take these to a hazardous waste disposal site. It is hazardous, so do not puncture or incinerate the can.
- Recycle programs in your area: Your local area may have specific recycling programs for such aerosol cans.
How to Dispose of Unused Cleaning Products
What if you had bought a cleaner that you eventually didn’t use or no longer need? This is where special care should be taken when discarding products that are no longer in use.
- Donate unused products: If the product is still usable, donate the same to local shelters, schools, or community centers.
- Read the labels: Dispose of unused products whose disposal instructions say they’re safe to be thrown away.
- Hazardous products: If the products contain hazardous chemicals, take them to your local hazardous waste facility. Whatever you do, don’t pour it down the drain or put it in the trash.
Recycling of Used Cleaning Product Containers
Recycling empty cleaning product containers is pretty easy. Follow these steps:
- Completely Empty the Container: All product residue needs to be removed from the container before it can be recycled. Examples include bottles of multi-surface cleaners, dish soap, and laundry detergent.
- Rinse the Container: Quickly rinse off the container. This helps to get rid of the remaining cleaning product that may have been left behind. Residual chemicals compromise recyclable processes.
- Remove Labels: Do this to the extent it is possible and if it is easy to do. It helps in the process of recycling, mainly for plastic bottles.
- Check Local Recycling Guidelines: The rules of recycling may vary in every city. Therefore, it is necessary to consider local recycling guidelines of the place one lives in so that the right procedure is followed accordingly.
By following these steps, one will be assisting in the reduction of waste while supporting a more sustainable environment.
Let Rain City Maids Handle the Cleaning for You!
Besides disposal, cleaning your home is a huge job and one you might not have time for. We are here to make this task easier for you! We focus on spotless results with the use of environmentally friendly products. So, just leave the actual cleaning to us; no need to even buy any cleaning supplies!
