Guam EPA categorizes household products that are flammable, reactive, explosive, corrosive, or toxic as household hazardous waste. Products generated by residents in their homes such as paints, solvents, cleaners, oils, batteries, pesticides, fluorescent bulbs, and fuels can contain hazardous ingredients that require special care when disposed of.
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Safe Management of Household Hazardous Waste
To avoid the potential risks associated with household hazardous wastes, people must always monitor the use, storage, and disposal of products with potentially hazardous substances in their homes. Improper disposal of HHW can include pouring them down the drain, on the ground, into storm sewers, or, in some cases, putting them out with the regular trash. Improper disposal of these wastes can pollute the environment and threaten human health. Certain types of HHW can cause physical injury to sanitation workers, contaminating septic tanks or wastewater treatment systems if poured down drains or toilets. If left around the house, they can also present hazards to children and pets.
Some quick tips for the safe handling of household hazardous wastes include:
- Follow instructions for use and storage on product labels carefully to prevent accidents at home.
- Be sure to read product labels for disposal directions to reduce the risk of products exploding, igniting, leaking, mixing with other chemicals, or posing other hazards on the way to a disposal facility.
- Never store hazardous products in food containers; keep them in original containers, and never remove labels.
- When leftovers remain, never mix HHW with other products. Incompatible products might react, ignite, or explode, and contaminated HHW might become unrecyclable.
- Remember, even empty containers of HHW can pose hazards because of the remaining residual chemicals, so handle them carefully.
- Dispose of your HHW at the GSWA Household Hazardous Waste Transfer Station.
Tips for Reducing HHW in Your Home
Avoid buying products with hazardous ingredients. Look for eco-friendly options or make your household products. Shop for environmentally friendly, natural products, or search online for simple recipes to create your own.
Using an HHW collection facility to dispose of household hazardous waste safely is best. Such facilities have the expertise, equipment, and knowledge to safely and responsibly dispose of hazardous waste. However, recycling, donating, or using up the product might be better alternatives in some cases.
Below are some ideas to get you started. Additional information is available from EPA’s Safer Choice program.
| Hazardous Waste Source Reduction around the Home | |
|---|---|
| Drain Cleaner | Use a plunger or plumber’s snake. |
| Glass Cleaner | Mix one tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice in one quart of water. Spray on and use newspaper to dry. |
| Furniture Polish | Mix one teaspoon of lemon juice in one pint of mineral or vegetable oil and wipe furniture. |
| Rug Deodorizer | Liberally sprinkle carpets with baking soda. Wait at least 15 minutes and vacuum. Repeat if necessary. |
| Silver Polish | Boil two to three inches of water in a shallow pan with one teaspoon of salt, one teaspoon of baking soda and a sheet of aluminum foil. Totally submerge silver and boil for two to three more minutes. Wipe away tarnish and repeat if necessary. |
| Mothballs | Use cedar chips, lavender flowers, rosemary, mints or white peppercorns. |
Regulating Household Hazardous Waste
The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) regulates hazardous wastes that are ignitable, reactive, corrosive, or toxic under Subtitle C. However, Congress has created an exception for household waste. Title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations Part 261.4 states that wastes generated by regular household activities such as routine house and yard maintenance, are not considered hazardous waste. Specifically, wastes covered by the household hazardous waste exclusion must satisfy two criteria:
- The waste generated by individuals on the premises of a temporary or permanent residence and
- The waste stream must be composed primarily of materials from waste generated by consumers in their homes.
Guam EPA interprets this exclusion as household-like areas, such as bunkhouses, ranger stations, crew quarters, campgrounds, picnic grounds, and day-use recreation areas.
Household hazardous waste is regulated as solid waste under RCRA Subtitle D at the state and local levels.
Transporting Household Hazardous Waste
Follow these steps to safely prepare your items for transportation:
1. Pack household hazardous wastes in a cardboard box so that it does not spill during transport. Be prepared to leave your containers and boxes.
2. Put like chemicals together. Separate unlike chemicals.
3. Label materials that are not in their original containers.
4. Make sure containers are not leaking and lids are tightly sealed.
5. Put your box of household hazardous waste in the trunk of your car, away from passengers during transport. Remove all other items from the trunk.
6. At the collection site, trained personnel will ask you to remain in your car while they remove the household hazardous waste from your trunk.
Customers are limited to 15 gallons or 100 pounds of household hazardous waste items per day.