Hazardous wastes include products that can be discussed as harmful to people and the environment because of chemicals and specific substances they contain. As a result, these wastes need to be disposed of while following certain measures and guidelines. The reason is that the substances contained in these items, which cannot be discarded following regular measures, are poisonous, and they contribute to environmental pollution (Hinga et al., 2005). The purpose of this discussion is to identify household items that should be disposed of as hazardous wastes, to describe approaches to discarding these products adopted in the community, and to analyze the community’s efforts regarding the organization of hazardous waste collection days.
Typical household hazardous wastes which can be found in a house of any person include the following items: Compact Fluorescent Light (CFL) bulbs, aerosol cans, glue, motor oil, antifreeze, gasoline, batteries, non-working cell phones, thermometers with mercury, medications, and household cleaners and laundry products, including oven cleaners and fabric softeners. Thus, these items can be categorized as chemical cleaners, automotive products, and electronic items among other types (Hinga et al., 2005). These items should be put in a list of products that cannot be discarded with other trash, and they should be disposed of as hazardous wastes (Hinga et al., 2005). In this list, there are no items related to garden products and pesticides because they are not used by the family on a regular basis, and currently, there are no such products included in a home inventory.
In Middletown, Ohio, household hazardous wastes are usually disposed of with the help of Rumpke, Inc., the company specializing in recycling and disposing of trash and different types of wastes. All community members sort and prepare hazardous items to discard and then follow Rumpke’s instructions regarding their disposal while using weekly services of transporting hazardous wastes. Community members choose to bring those hazardous wastes which can be discarded independently to the company’s location or use the transportation services available on Thursdays during the summer and autumn months. The disposal of household hazardous wastes during the winter and spring months is organized according to the additional schedule approved by the company’s leaders and the City Hall in Middletown.
Household hazardous waste collection days are organized in many communities in Ohio. These events are not held in Middletown as monthly ones because of the authorities’ efforts to guarantee the ongoing collection of hazardous wastes. This approach can be discussed as most effective to guarantee the protection of environments and sustainability in the community (Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute, 2017; McDonough, 2005). Thus, hazardous wastes are disposed of by Rumpke’s specialists each Thursday, and other trash is collected weekly according to the schedule developed for all households in Middletown. Those items which are classified as hazardous wastes are disposed of at Rumpke’s special facilities. Certain types of trash are recycled at recycling facilities in different states, and other trash is buried at landfill sites located in Ohio.
Efficient disposal of household hazardous wastes is important to protect the health of community members and contribute to environmental protection. The analysis of the situation in Middletown, Ohio, demonstrates that the community’s authorities have paid much attention to addressing the problem of discarding specific wastes. As a result, household hazardous waste collection days are regularly organized in the city.
References
Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute. (2017). Past events 2016. Web.
Hinga, K. R., Batchelor, A., Ahmed, M. T., Osibanjo, O., Lewis, N., & Pilson, M. (2005). Waste processing and detoxification. Web.
McDonough, W. (2005). Cradle to cradle design [Video file]. Web.