Household Hazardous Waste Alternatives

Eliminating household hazardous wastes is a prime concern of the Ecology Action Center. Proper disposal can be difficult and confusing, which is why we need to reduce the amounts we purchase and use them in the first place. The good news, however, is that there are simple alternatives to keep your house clean that are much safer than the hazardous chemicals we are purchasing now. The following are some helpful tips and substitutes we can use in our homes that will greatly reduce the amount of hazardous materials we use.

Here are some tips when purchasing household cleaners and other products:

• Always thoroughly read the labels of products you are purchasing. The least toxic substances will not have warnings, but products with potentially harmful chemicals will have warnings posted somewhere on the label.
• Buy products that do not have a scent. Odorless sprays and washers have less chemicals in them and are safer for indoor use.
• Buy only what you need.
• If you have leftover product that you wish to get rid of, see if a neighbor or friend needs some before throwing it away.

Here are some safe alternatives to household chemicals.