Day 21. - Hazardous Waste...Household Chemicals & Motor oil
Summary:
If you use household/garage chemical products or change your own oil, be sure to properly store and dispose of these wastes as they are recyclable.
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The easiest and preferred way to reduce household hazardous waste is not to let hazardous materials into your house. This is easier for some to do than for other more
do-it-yourselfers who engage in work like stripping paints & metals, painting, changing vehicle fluids, etc.. If you are performing your own oil changes and deal with your own tires (both car, truck, motorcycle, bicycle...including innertubes ) it is imperative that all actions end with recycling these materials.
Homes in California alone produce an estimated 140 million pounds of Household Hazardous Waste (HHW), which are products that contain corrosive, toxic, ignitable, or reactive ingredients. These products (paints, cleaners, oils, batteries, pesticides¸ etc.) contain chemicals that can pose immediate health threats to you, children and pets while being used and, if they are put into our landfills, will leach out and eventually can work their way into our groundwater.
Whether or not you change your own vehicle fluids, keep in mind not to change your motor oil too often as manufacturers usually recommend complete changes with new filters every 5,000-10,000 miles. Motor oils have been improved over the years, and over-changing your oil not only is unnecessary but causes excessive oil consumption and increases waste oil, overburdening waste recycling. Also, if you change your own oil, be sure to take it to a used motor oil facility for recycling.
Day:
Weight Loss
Sports
Equipment
Natural Energy
General Health
