Several potentially hazardous materials could be lurking in your home or job site. There are a lot of questions regarding safety and proper handling when thinking about these items and substances. When beginning a project, you may be asking yourself several questions regarding hazardous waste:

a) Is this material considered hazardous waste?

or

b) Where do I safely get rid of this hazardous waste material?

The answer isn’t always straightforward when dealing with waste removal alone. By utilizing a dumpster rental with Pack Mule, we can help you take out the guesswork. In this post, we will answer both of the above questions. By explaining the different categories of hazardous waste and how to properly dispose of it, you will be prepared to take on your latest residential or commercial project!

Please keep in mind to ensure that you are following all local regulations. Check with us beforehand to determine what materials can be disposed of in your dumpster rental. This will help you dispose of your waste responsibly and legally and avoid fines or penalties for improper disposal. If, after reading this, you still have more questions, don’t hesitate to give us a call at (937) 500-1369, and we will be more than happy to answer all of your questions!

Below are different categories of hazardous waste. These categories are important because when you better understand what you’re dealing with, you can have peace of mind knowing it has been disposed of safely and properly!

Categories of Hazardous Waste 

● Flammable Hazardous Waste 

● Corrosive Hazardous Waste

● Toxic Hazardous Waste

● Reactive Hazardous Waste

Flammable Hazardous Waste

Ignitable trash and waste can easily worsen or start a fire when improperly disposed of. 

Below are a few examples of flammable hazardous waste commonly found in the home and how to properly dispose of them.

● Nail Polish Remover (Acetone)- Dispose of small amounts of acetone by soaking them in cotton balls and keeping the cotton balls in a sealed bag separate from the original container.

● Old Matches- Old matches should be soaked in water for several minutes before being discarded.

● Automobile Fuels and Oils- These substances are highly flammable and should be taken to a hazardous waste collection center or a business hosting a drop-off event. Ensure all caps and spouts on containers are tightly sealed when preparing for transport.

Corrosive Hazardous Waste

Corrosive materials are either highly acidic or basic. Corrosive waste can cause damage to the skin and can also erode metal in bins and dumpsters. Below are a few examples of corrosive hazardous waste often found in the home and how to properly dispose of them.

● Chlorine Bleach- If you have 5 Gallons or under to dispose of, they can be safely flushed down the toilet provided no other chemicals are being flushed as well.

● Oven Cleaner- Oven cleaners should be taken to a hazardous waste collection center. Never pour these materials down the drain.

● Automotive Batteries With Lead- You can recycle car batteries containing lead-acid cells at certain auto dealers and metal recycling facilities.

● Rust Removers- If you can’t use the rest of the product or give it to someone else, it should be taken to your local hazardous waste collection center.

Toxic Hazardous Waste

Toxic Hazardous waste can cause serious bodily harm. It is extremely important to properly handle toxic, hazardous waste, and below are a few examples often found in the home and how to properly dispose of them.

● Prescription Medications- You can usually turn them in to your pharmacy or local law enforcement agency for expired and unused medications, where they will be disposed of properly and safely.

● Needles (Biohazardous)- Check with your doctor or pharmacy for exchange programs. Always use a sharps container to store/dispose of needles.

● Compact Fluorescent Bulbs- CFLs contain mercury which can leak into the environment and cause damage to flora/fauna. Check with certain retailers for mail-in programs to exchange/recycle CFLs.

Reactive Hazardous Waste

Reactive hazardous waste can explode under pressure or certain temperatures and cause damage to your home or, worse, bodily harm to you or someone else. Below are a few examples of toxic, hazardous waste often found in the home and how to properly dispose of them.

● Aerosol Canisters- Try to use what’s left in the canister. Drop it off at your local hazard waste collection center if you have no further use.

● Fertilizers- Any unused fertilizer can be offered to a neighbor or taken to a drop-off waste collection center.

● Unused Ammunition- A local gun range may accept any unused ammunition you may have and local police departments (call ahead to schedule an appointment). You can also search for ammunition recycling centers here.

Alternative Ways to Dispose of Hazardous Materials

You can use several community resources to dispose of certain hazardous materials that cannot go into a dumpster rental.

Curbside Waste Pick-Up- Check with your local environmental agency to see if they offer curbside pick-ups for certain materials.

Permanent Waste Collection Facility- Some waste collection facilities offer an exchange program where dropping off certain items can be recycled and reused by other residents of your community.

Community Collection Days- Check with your community’s local government website to see if there are any community collection days for waste materials on the calendar.

Small/Local Business Collection Sites- You may find certain businesses briefly turning their location into a drop-off site for products relevant to their business/ services, like a body shop offering drop-off services for partially used motor oil canisters or used tires.

Ohio Recycling Centers- You can also search the Ohio EPA’s website for a local recycling center near you.

As a local and veteran-owned business, Pack Mule Dumpsters knows the value of excellent service at an affordable rate. Customer satisfaction is our highest priority, and we pride ourselves on being able to provide that for you. Ready to get started? Then Book Online with us now, and we will gladly assist you with whatever your dumpster needs!