In the modern-day, far more of us have hazardous materials in our life without realizing it. This can range from any of the four major classes of hazardous materials: explosives, gases, flammable liquids, and flammable solids.
The most common we deal with in our daily lives is lithium-ion batteries, which are in everything from smart devices to computers and very volatile if not well cared for.
Research the Laws in Your Area
Every state and city may have its own ordinances on where and how you can dispose of hazardous materials. What we’ll discuss here is generally an incredibly safe way to do it, but if you’re still unsure, you must double-check that you’re not breaking any laws or rules.
Read the Labels Thoroughly
Many products, like Lithium-ion batteries, often have thorough instructions on their labels. This gives you a chance to check in with what they need before you ever use them.
Of course, these labels can wear off with time and use, but you must double-check them before doing anything else. This will tell you if they have special needs and often will be the first sign that something is hazardous.
Find a Drop Off Location
Many major cities have a drop-off location where you can get rid of these products safely. Look into them to ensure that they don’t charge any fees and that you can clearly understand what they need of you.
If getting to a donation center is too complicated because of your schedule or where you live: you can always mail e-waste recycling to some locations if you look up their requirements for you to do so.
Donate to Some Organizations
There are some organizations online that will accept your hazardous material, depending on the type of it. Some hazardous materials can’t be mailed, including flammable items like matches, aerosols, glues, and tobacco products.
This ensures they don’t catch fire or cause legal issues while being shipped, but other hazardous materials can be! The USPS has some clear rules about what can and can’t legally be shipped, so it’s a good idea to listen to what they have to say!
Safety Warning
When disposing of hazardous materials, it’s vital that you don’t mix these products, and you don’t try to ship anything that’s currently leaking.
Certain hazardous materials can react horribly, resulting in fires, hazards, and personal injury. Avoid mixing them or sending them together, and instead, keep them as separated as possible.
You can keep things separated by shipping separately and storing them individually as well. This may take up more space than you’d like, but it’s worth it to ensure that you’re as safe as possible.
Hazardous Materials May Be Things You Haven’t Considered
Hazardous materials can be things you’ve never considered! This includes perfumes and aftershaves because of how flammable they are. Fuel is considered hazmat, but so are phones and tablets because of their batteries. If you’re unsure whether something is safe: research and then go back to it!
