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At the Philip J Wittek Household Hazardous Materials Collection Facility we
get a lot of interesting things brought to us. Almost everything
we get is still in the original container, but we also get "unknowns,"
chemicals put in other containers without labels. These unknowns are
what this page is all about --
the improper storage of hazardous materials.
When you have used all of a product you're left with an empty
container. What do you do with it? If it is a #1 or #2
plastic container for food, laundry detergent, pet food, etc., recycle
it through your curbside recycling program. Other recycling locations
can be found on the
MARC
website. If it contained a household chemical, such as motor oil or
solvent, it generally cannot be recycled. If it is empty, it can
go in your regular trash. If there is still product in it, bring it to a
household hazardous waste collection facility that serves your
community.
Unfortunately, people often make use of empty unlabeled containers to
store hazardous chemicals. This can be very dangerous for several
reasons. One, the container may not be compatible with the chemical,
such as a solvent which can eat through a plastic container. Second, if
it is put in a food container, a child might be tempted to drink it, and
without the original chemical product label on the container, it could be difficult to determine the
proper medical treatment.
We will always take your "unknown" chemicals. Better brought to us,
than left in your basement waiting to leak! However, we also
wanted to provide illustration of "how not to" store household chemicals
by showing photos of actual items brought to our collection facility.
We will post a new item each month. As a parent, you can use this
portion of our website to help educate your children about proper
storage of household chemicals. Even though you may store all your
chemicals properly, your child should be aware of the concerns when
visiting other homes.
Thanks for your help and visit our site often to keep up-to-date with
household hazardous chemical knowledge. Visit the
Gallery of past Mystery Chemical
inductees.
July 2007
HHW Mystery Chemical of the Month
| Here's an interesting item. The label says Diet Rite
Cola and it's filled with an orange tinted liquid.
Everybody knows cola is a dark color so there really shouldn't
be a problem here. Well, except for big people who don't
bother to read labels and little people who don't know how to
read yet. To them it might look like tasty orange soda.
But here's the deal. It's actually bug poison. And
that's not as tasty as orange soda. Do not store
non-consumable liquids, most especially hazardous ones, in a
container labeled or recognized as holding a consumable
beverage. |
Mystery Chemicals Gallery
Mystery Chemical Quiz
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