Hazardous Waste/Electronics
Household Hazardous Waste
Generally speaking, hazardous waste consists of discarded solid or liquid materials, or containers holding gases, which may harm human beings or the environment unless given special handling and treatment. They may be flammable, corrosive, explosive or toxic – and because of these dangerous characteristics, they should not be disposed of in normal garbage, landfills or sewers.
How necessary is it to be concerned with home safety?
Householders who take the time to investigate the complex nature of home and garden chemicals invariably develop a new respect for some familiar products. Such ordinary household items as cleaning fluids, solvents and paints, automotive supplies, and garden-care materials contain substances which, if not used and disposed of safely, can cause injury to living things or damage to the environment. Some chemcials found in consumer products may contribute to allergic reactions, headaches, burns, nausea, coughs and dizziness. Others are associated with more serious effects such as liver or kidney damage, cancer, or birth defects.
Why we must take action?
Many common household products contain hazardous chemicals similar to those found in industrial waste yet some consumers, ofter unaware of the danger, continue to use and dispose of them in potentially unsafe ways. Once released into the environment, these chemicals may pose a serious threat to living organisms. Small quantities of hazardous substances can accumulate over time to reach dangerous levels and contaminate the air, water, or soil.
What are the risks to children?
Children are at special risk from the potentially-hazardous drugs and chemicals found around the home. There are warnings that neglected or unsecured medicines are the most common cause of poisoning in children, followed by house plants and familiar household products. Every month, there are some 500 drug poisonings in children under five with medicines being the most common cause. To prevent possible tragedy, you are urged to search out the old, unused and outdated medications in your home and take them to your local pharmacy. It's advisable too, to check every room in your house for potential poisons. Know which products are poisonous and know where they are. Any products no longer being used should be disposed of properly.
Common Products Include:
Aerosol cans (with contents)
Adhesives
Antifreeze coolants
Batteries (household/car)
Bleach
Butane cartridge
Car care products
Chemicals
Cleaning products
Compact fluorescent light bulbs
Diesel fuel
Driveway sealant
Ethanol
Fertilizers
Flea powder
Floor polish/wax
Fluorescent light bulbs
Gasoline
Glue
Herbicides
Insecticides
Kerosene
Lighters (with contents)
Mercury (thermometers)
Motor oils and filters
Nail polish/remover
Oven cleaner
Paint and thinners
Pesticides
Pool chemicals
Propane cylinders
Propane tanks
Stains and varnishes
Not Accepted
X Explosives
X Radioactive Waste
Electronics
The Municipality of the District of Guysborough has a curbside collection for approved electronics. Phase II begins February 1, 2009. The Guysborough Waste Management Facility is also a drop off center for electronics.
APPROVED PRODUCTS LIST:
1. Desktop Computers
Desktop Servers
Computers with Integrated Displays
2. Computer Peripherals
Keyboards
Mice
Cables
3. Laptop Computers
Tablet Computers
4. Desktop Printers
Scanners
Photo Printers
Label/Card Printers
Desktop Printer Combinations
5. Electronics Components
6. Monitors
CRT Monitors
LCD Monitors
Plasma Monitors
7. Televisions
Combination TV/Computer Displays
Closed Circuit Displays
8. Personal Audio/Video Systems
Portable Devices including docking speakers
Portable Stereos/tape Players/Radios
Personal CD Players
Portable Audio Recorders/Portable Tape/Radio Players
Headphones
MP3 Players
Solid State Voice Recorders
Digital Recorders
Digital Cameras
Video Cameras/Camcorders
Note: Does not include gaming systems
9. Vehicle Audio/Video Systems (Aftermarket)
Car Stereo Amplifiers/Equalizers/speakers and in-dash CD Players
10. Home Theatre in a Box (HTB) Systems
Pre-packaged Speaker/Amplifier Systems used to create Home Theatre experience
11. Home Audio/Video Systems
VCRs and DVD Players
Mini/Mid/Full Size Package Systems
Single/Multi CD Players
Clock Radios
Digital Cable Equipment
Satellite Cable Equipment
Speakers (Home Speakers, Home Theatre Speakers, Multi-Media Speakers)
Amplifiers
Receivers
Data Projectors and similar Audio/Video Systems
12. Non-Cellular Telephones
Wire Telephones
Cordless Telephones
Telephone Answering Machines