LunaseeStudios / Shutterstock.com dcwcreations / Shutterstock.com Cleaning Products Hazardous Waste LunaseeStudios / Shutterstock.com dcwcreations / Shutterstock.com Cleaning fluids and other toxic materials are Household Hazardous Waste, or “HHW.” They can threaten the health of humans, animals and our environment. Please do not place HHW in any cart, pour down drains, or dump on the ground. Perry Correll / digitalreflections / Shutterstock.com Solids Go in the Trash Solid household cleaning products go in the trash: pads, sheets, pastes, crystals, disks, sticks and towelettes. Don’t flush any of these items down the drain. Never Flush Wipes Down Drain Wipes are a “solid” because they are sheets, so never flush them down the drain. Wipes do not break down as they move onto the water treatment plant, and will end up clogging their screens. Find out more. Dispose of Empties Empty cleaning product bottles are often recycled but not always. Find out what to do with empty containers. Ways to Reduce Purchase Natural Cleaners Consider switching to more eco-friendly cleaners. Chemical cleaners can expose your household to a variety of harmful ingredients and VOCs. They can also introduce more chemicals into the environment when they are washed down the drain. Check out the EWG’s Guide to Healthy Cleaning or follow these easy recipes from Real Simple to make your own natural cleaners. Use Up Products Avoid throwing away partially full bottles; try to use up the cleaning product completely before disposing of it. This increases the lifespan of these products, reduces waste and saves money.
