How are Cleaning Products Properly Disposed

Due to the various types of cleaning products, there are several methods for properly disposing of them. Household cleaning products that are hazardous should be properly disposed of by household hazardous waste (HHW) facilities. The process that follows exemplifies the course of HHW, specifically cleaning products, through the disposal process:

1. Trained staff members sort and categorize the materials by chemical class for proper storage. The HHW is typically classified as ignitable, corrosive, reactive or toxic. Cleaning products are categorized as corrosive or acidic alkaline.
2. A contracted hazardous waste hauler collects the waste into drums, manifests the material, and transports it to different treatment facilities based on the type of the waste. Disposal locations are chosen based on the use of environmentally protective methods. These are some of the options clients have for disposing of the hazardous waste:

Liquid Flammable Wastes

Substances such as aerosol sprays, go through a process known as fuel blending. This process is intended to mix various hazardous wastes with commercial fuels. These are used as fuel for incinerators, industrial furnaces, or most commonly, cement kilns. The waste is effectively eliminated when burned as a fuel, and significantly less toxic than fossil fuels.

Fuel blending incorporates material with a low British thermal unit (Btu) with a material with a high Btu.

Hazardous Waste Incineration

This is a common way in which household cleaning products are disposed. Incineration facilities must have a permit from the U.S. EPA to incinerate hazardous material and must comply with strict environmental controls.

The incinerator destroys the toxic organic components and reduces the volume of the waste. However, there are many problems associated with the emissions from burning the hazardous waste.

Chemical Treatment

This is a popular method for making hazardous wastes safe. Treatment methods include filtration, metal precipitation, neutralization and oxidation. Household cleaning products are treated through the process of neutralization.

Neutralization is the reaction between a base and an acid to produce a salt and water. Therefore, the acidic pH of cleaning products becomes neutral. Once neutralization has been completed, the remaining “salt water” is sent to a waste water treatment facility for further decontamination.

Many HHW facilities have a product exchange room. This is where materials that are usable can be picked up by the public to use for their own purpose. The product must be in very good shape and not in need of disposal. Find a location near you to properly dispose of cleaning products using Earth911.