What is Hazardous Waste?
Household hazardous waste can be categorized in four ways: ignitability, corrosivity, reactivity, and toxicity. Defined by the EPA as leftover household products that can catch fire, react, corrode or explode, homeowners are encouraged to store these products in safe spaces properly.
Since most people are not familiar with potentially hazardous waste products, much less how to properly store them, read our post detailing a comprehensive breakdown of what constitutes hazardous waste.
How to Store: Ignitible Products
Products with ignitable properties are varied and can be found all around your home. With most ignitable products, storing them in specific environments will ensure that the product is not in a volatile state.
Products with Ignitable Properties
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Rubbing Alcohol
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Nail Polish & Nail Polish Remover
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Extension Cords
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Aerosol Cans
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Gasoline, Turpentine, and Paint Thinner
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Hand Sanitizer
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How to Store Corrosive Products
Most corrosive products are either going to hold a high pH (base) or a low pH (acid). To give a frame of reference, the average pH level of a bar of soap is 9-10. On the other hand, battery acid holds a pH of 1-2. Dependent on the product, you can usually determine the pH by its uses.
Here are a few ways to properly store corrosive household products:
Products with Corrosive Properties
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Oven Cleaners
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Drain Cleaners
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Toilet Bowl Cleaners
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Automotive Batteries
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How to Store Reactive Products
Reactive products are often products that contain metal oxides that can react violently under certain conditions. Keep in mind, most everyday uses for reactive metals such as Lithium, Sodium, and Potassium are ionized and pose no threat.
Most reactive household items come in the form of lithium-ion batteries found in electronics. To ensure these products do not react violently, be sure to unplug your device from its power source if it starts getting hot to the touch.
How to Store Toxic Products
Most toxic substances, both organic and inorganic, are found in liquid, gaseous and solid forms. Here are a few examples of the toxic household materials found in varying states of matter and how to properly store them.
Products with Toxic Properties
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Methoxychlor (Gas/Insecticide)
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Lead (Solid/Batteries)
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Trichloroethylene (Liquid/Solvent)
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Hazardous Waste Disposal Services
Alpha Environmental provides hazardous waste disposal consulting that includes an assessment of the waste, sampling, inventory, hazardous product disposal, packaging, transportation, and ultimately the proper disposal of the commercial or household waste.
We take care of every aspect with affordable pricing while eliminating all of the guesswork.
While hazardous waste disposal is mostly for commercial properties, there are instances where household hazardous waste needs to be managed and disposed of. Proper disposal ensures that there is little to no chance of hazardous exposure.
If you have questions or require removal of your hazardous chemical waste, call Alpha Environmental at 503-406-6686.
