Toxic Waste Cause Harm to Environment

By Amy Nutt

When most people hear the term 'toxic waste,' they tend to think about large corporations and even construction sites where large amounts of it are being dumped every day. The truth is toxic waste is anything that could be dangerous for living creatures. This includes things around the average home from mouse traps to cosmetics and most cleaning supplies. If people aren't careful about how to dispose of them, they could cause severe harm to the environment as well as themselves.

The biggest problem with most toxic waste, even the stuff that just sits around in the house, is that it can't be dealt with like other materials. Toxic materials should never be poured down the drain, flushed down a toilet, dumped outside, or thrown in the trash. Most things that contain these toxins will give specific instructions somewhere on the label on how to safely dispose of them. Local dumpsites will also have knowledgeable people who are able to inform people of how to get rid of the hazardous waste. Some landfills will also accept this waste for an extra charge.

Recycling is another option for people who need to get rid of toxic materials. As an example, ash is actually a toxin if it is in extremely large quantities. It can harm the environment when it is just tossed outside. Instead of someone throwing their ashes out they can actually reuse them as an ingredient for making things like candles and soap. Other toxic materials can be reused in a similar fashion such as plastic bottles or tires. They can be used for art projects and even useful items such as flower pots or playground materials.

People who share with their neighbors also have a handle on dealing with toxic waste. Many times people want to dispose of things because they won't use it anymore but rather than dump it there is the option of giving it away. Paint, cleaners, and other around the house items can be given away to other people who will use them. That means that there will be less of it to throw away. When people only need a product for a one time occasion, it would be better for them to ask a neighbor to borrow it than buy a whole container of something. Saving products for a later date is another way to reduce the amount of toxic waste that occurs.

Of course the best way to toxic waste management is to completely prevent it. Just about every household item that is toxic has a 'green' product that has little to no toxins in it. For cleaning drains, people can actually use vinegar and baking soda as a safe method for unclogging and cleaning dirty drains. Stores also sell non-toxic products and will label all of their products that do contain serious chemicals. The safe products will be in the same area as the chemical filled ones and will only be higher in price by a very small percentage. Online websites also offer alternatives to using hazardous materials.

About the Author:

0 comments:

Guides Complete