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Local governments may sponsor basic household hazardous waste collection programs. These programs may be single-day or continuous events that provide for the safe collection, identification, sorting, storage, and disposal or reuse of household hazardous waste. Such programs may be operated by the local government or administered under a contract with a waste management firm. The materials collected during a household hazardous waste collection program may be recycled (e.g., used oil), used as a waste fuel (e.g., solvents) or disposed of properly at hazardous waste facilities.
Common Household Hazardous Wastes
Oil-based paint and varnish, paint and varnish remover, pesticides, insecticides, herbicides, motor oil, brake fluid, fuels, anti-freeze, oven cleaners, drain cleaners, bleach, solvents, pool chemicals, mothballs, dye, nail polish, photo chemicals, toilet cleaners, fertilizer, metal polish, floor cleaners, wood strippers, muriatic acid, creosote, sealants, and both household and automotive batteries.
Under the regulations that implement RCRA, hazardous waste generated by households is exempt from federal hazardous waste regulations. Nevertheless, these wastes can and do pose an environmental and health risk when they are improperly managed. These products may contain substances that are toxic to humans or other organisms, which can be released when they are poured down the sink, sewer, onto the ground, or when they are landfilled or incinerated. Thus, many state and local governments have established household hazardous waste collection, storage and disposal programs.
Under federal regulation, the collection, transportation, storage, treatment, and disposal of household hazardous waste is exempt from the regulations applicable to commercial hazardous waste. In addition, resource recovery facilities that manage municipal solid waste are not subject to hazardous waste regulations (with the exception of ash that exhibits a hazardous characteristic, such as toxicity) if they meet specified conditions.
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