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Household Hazardous Waste Disposal

Did you know that the average household generates 20 pounds of hazardous waste each year from household cleaners and chemicals?

Most of us have some old household products taking up space in a cabinet. And you probably throw the containers away without giving them a second thought. Think again. They might be out of the house, but that doesn't mean they won't come back to haunt you.

Chemicals found in items like weed killers, paint thinners and furniture polish taint the water supply, pollute the environment and are hazardous to humans, fish and wildlife. Besides, many toxic substances can't be rendered harmless by ordinary disposal and sewage treatment methods. That's why there’s a Household Hazardous Waste Collection Drop Off Center located at 7030 Culebra operated by City of San Antonio Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Program.

The Center is open on Fridays from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information, please call 311 or 210-207-6400.

So instead of trashing everything or pouring it all down the drain (which is highly illegal by the way), store unwanted products in a safe place until the next Hazardous Waste Collection Day.

What you put down storm drains could eventually re-enter the water cycle. That's not a pretty thought. Common household chemicals require special handling. Pour smart.

	H2O Tips Buy products that are labeled "non-toxic" and purchase only the amount you need. Use and store cleaners, solvents and paints according to label directions. Never mix discarded household products together. Keep them in their original container. Take unwanted hazardous materials to a local collection center. Use kitty litter to absorb spills on paved surfaces. Rinse latex paint brushes in the sink. Filter and reuse paint thinner and brush cleaners. Replace rat and mouse poison with live traps.

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