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Kitchen Type of Waste Disposal Aluminum cleaners Ammonia-based cleaners M Bug sprays V Drain cleaners V Egg shells Floor care products V Furniture polish V Metal polish with solvent V Window cleaner Oven cleaner (lye base) V Fats, oils and grease (including oil from turkey fryers) Bathroom Type of Waste Disposal Bathroom cleaners Diapers (baby wipes) Disinfectants Toilet bowl cleaner Tub and tile cleaners V Pharmaceutical products or drugs (expired or used) Personal care products (aftershaves, perfumes, depilatories, permanent or other lotions, hair relaxers, nail polish, dyes, waxes) Sharps (needles for diabetics) V Garden Type of Waste Disposal Fertilizer V Fungicide V Herbicide V Insecticide V Rat poison V Weed killer V Garage Type of Waste Disposal Antifreeze V Automatic transmission fluid V Auto body repair products V Battery acid (or battery) V Brake fluid V Car wax with solvent V Diesel fuel V Fuel additives V Fuel oil V Gasoline V Kerosene V Metal polish with solvent V Motor oil V Other oils V Workshop Type of Waste Disposal Cutting oil V Deck cleaners/stains V Glue (solvent based) V Glue (water based) M Paint (latex) Paint (oil based) V Paint (auto) V Paint (model) V Paint brush cleaner with solvent V Paint brush cleaner with TSP M Paint stripper V Paint stripper (lye base) V Paint thinner V Primer V Rust remover (with phosphoric acid) V Workshop, Cont. Type of Waste Disposal Turpentine V Varnish V Wood preservative V Miscellaneous Type of Waste Disposal Aerosol cans (empty) Aerosol cans (not empty) V Ammunition V Artists’ paints (acrylic) Artists’ paints (oil based) V Cat litter Cellular phones V Dry cleaning solvents V Fiberglass epoxy V Gun cleaning solvents V Lighter fluid V Mercury batteries V Moth balls V Old fire alarms V Fluorescent light bulbs V Pet care products (flea and tick repellent) Photographic chemicals V Shoe polish V Swimming pool chemicals V White-out (used for corrections) The following chart from the Water Environment Federation will show you effective ways to dispose of household waste and contribute to a sustainable clean environment. Blue waves M indicate products which can be poured down the drain with plenty of water. If you have a septic tank, additional caution should be exercised when dumping these items down the drain. In fact, because septic systems rely on healthy bacteria, there are certain chemical substances that cannot be used with them. Be sure to read the labels to determine if a product could damage septic systems. Yellow triangles indicate materials which should not be poured down the drain, but can be safely disposed of in a sanitary landfill or incinerator. Note that medicines can often be taken to a community drug take-back program or mixed with undesirable substances such as kitty litter or coffee grounds. Pills (except narcotics) can also be dissolved and mixed with regular trash. Be sure the material is properly contained before it is put out for collection or carried to the landfill. The red octagons V indicate hazardous wastes or mateials that should be saved for a community-wide collection day or given to a licensed hazardous waste contractor when left over or unused. (Even the empty containers should be taken to a licensed contractor if one is available.) Green leaves indicate material that can be recycled or reused or shared with neighbors or family members. If there is a recycling program in your area, take the materials there. If not, encourage local officials to start a recycling program. *The information contained in this chart is intended as a general guideline. Laws and regulations may vary from state to state. For more information on the safest way to dispose of these and other products, contact your area’s solid and hazardous waste department or federal or state environmental agency. Check manufacturer’s label for specific disposal guidelines. Household Waste Chart* M — Can be poured down the drain with plenty of water. — Cannot be poured down the drain, but can be safely disposed of in a sanitary landfill or incinerator. V — Hazardous wastes. — Recycle, reuse, or share.