| There are things we may use that are so | | | | 4) Automobile-related fluids. If it's associated with |
| poisonous to the environment that they should | | | | your car, it very likely doesn't belong in a landfill or |
| never make it to a landfill. We should also never | | | | storm drain at all. This includes fuel, windshield |
| dump these items (if they're liquid) into the water | | | | wiper fluid, brake fluid, antifreeze, transmission |
| supply through home sinks or street storm drains. | | | | fluid, engine oil, car batteries, and car care |
| Not only is it illegal in most places, but dumping | | | | products. The only definite recycling option for |
| things into a storm drain takes the stuff directly | | | | these kinds of materials is through your local |
| to your local streams and rivers and kills anything | | | | government. |
| in the vicinity. | | | | 5) Any kind of paint. This includes latex, but |
| Here's a list of ten types of things that are too | | | | especially includes anything oil-based, varnishes, |
| toxic for landfills or the water supply, along with | | | | stains, and polyurethane. All of these should go to |
| how to properly dispose of them. You can always | | | | your local government's designated hazardous |
| check with your local government for additional | | | | materials collection point. |
| disposal options, and sometimes that's the only | | | | |
| option. | | | | 6) Photography-related chemicals. These are |
| 1) CFL light bulbs. Unfortunately, these contain a | | | | becoming less of an issue as digital photography |
| very small amount of mercury--but if people start | | | | booms, but many people still have a film |
| throwing them out en masse it could create a | | | | photography hobby. Again, these should go to the |
| problem with mercury leaching down into water | | | | hazmat facility and never down the drain. |
| tables. Home Depot has a CFL recycling program | | | | 7) Any corrosive chemical. Examples include |
| so you can just bring an old CFL bulb to your local | | | | muriatic acid and any cleaning product containing |
| store. | | | | lye. These are very destructive chemicals and |
| 2) Lithium-ion batteries. These are the | | | | again should go to the hazmat disposal site. |
| rechargeable kind found in smaller gadgets, not | | | | 8) Home, lawn and garden chemicals used for |
| the regular alkaline batteries that can be safely | | | | pest/insect/weed control. These chemicals will kill |
| disposed of in the trash (at least here in Arlington, | | | | lots of animals and plants you didn't intend to kill, |
| VA). The lithium-ion battery chemicals can leach | | | | so again they should be carefully disposed of at a |
| into the soil and pollute water. Take these to Best | | | | hazmat site. |
| Buy, which collects and recycles them. | | | | 9) Propane tanks. They could cause explosions |
| 3) Any kind of electronics. This includes TV's, | | | | near open flames, and are also readily recyclable. |
| computers and all of their peripherals, stereos, | | | | Check the tank, the store, and your local |
| speakers, and mobile phones and PDA's. These | | | | government on how to recycle these safely. |
| components are chock full of poisonous | | | | 10) Flammable cleaning solvent. They can also |
| substances, none of which are biodegradable and | | | | cause explosions and should be disposed of |
| all pose a hazard to the landfill environment. Again, | | | | properly, through a hazmat drop-off site. |
| Best Buy now collects and recycles all such | | | | We don't have much choice about using at least |
| components although there is a small fee for | | | | some of these materials. Please dispose of them |
| accepting components with screens (such as TV's | | | | as safely as you can, because you'll go a long |
| and monitors.) | | | | way to maintaining a cleaner environment. |