Think pool chemicals, used motor oil and fingernail polish remover are harmless? Think again.
They're all household hazardous wastes (HHW), and the name indicates the danger they pose. But as dangerous as these materials are, it's the improper disposal of them that causes the most harm.
It's never okay to pour HHWs down the drain, on the ground or into storm sewers, flush them down the toilet or put them out with the trash. Why? We're glad you asked.
Think of where that motor oil goes when you dump it in the storm sewer. Storm water is washed directly into lakes, rivers and oceans - untreated. Annually, more oil is dumped into water systems than was spilled by the Exxon Valdez.
And what about tossing an aerosol can of spray paint out in the trash? Not only is the paint flammable, so is the aerosol can it comes in. If you were a sanitation worker, wouldn't you hope there weren't any similar cans cooking in the hot July sun in the back of your truck?
See where we're going with this? It's about nature. It's about health. It's about safety. For all of Kansas.
