Our Top 6 Household Hazardous Waste Materials
At our Household and Electronic Waste Depot, we see lots of hazardous materials. And quite often we get asked ‘what happens to the hazardous waste once you get it?’. Here are our top 6 household hazardous waste materials we receive and what happens to it after it’s landed at our depot.
1. Paint
Latex and water-based stains are generally non-toxic but may contain metallic pigments which are considered hazardous. And oil-based paints and stains are flammable and may contain VOCs (volatile organic compounds), which are quite hazardous.
All paints and coatings that we collect are transported by our contractor to Loop Recycled Products in Niagara Falls, ON where it is recycled into new paint. Loop paint is available to purchase at discounted prices compared to other high-quality paints, at Giant Tiger, for example.
For more information, visit https://www.looppaints.com/.
2. Batteries
Household batteries contain many different components, including electrical components and materials such as zinc, manganese, and potassium. And larger automotive batteries contain more hazardous materials such as acid and heavy metals.
All household batteries that we collect are shipped to Raw Materials Company (RMC) in Port Colborne, ON where they are processed. All material components of each battery are recycled.
For more information, visit https://www.rawmaterials.com/.
3. Motor Oil
Motor oil and other automotive fluid can be flammable and contain VOCs (volatile organic compounds). These can be very harmful if released into the environment. It can pollute drinking water and wells, damage wildlife and ecosystems.
Motor oil is collected by our contractor where it is cleaned and refined into lower-grade automotive fluids or disposed of in a safe manner.
4. Cooking Oil
Cooking oil should never be poured down the drain as it is difficult to remove from the wastewater treatment facilities, creating the potential of it being released into the environment untreated. This can cause damage to ecosystems.
Cooking oil is collected by Rothsay in Cambridge, ON, where it is recycled into ingredients for livestock feed, pet food, and biodiesel.
For more information, visit https://www.rothsay.ca/.
5. Propane Cylinders and Aerosol Cans
Propane cylinders and aerosol cans both contain contents under pressure. These materials have the potential to explode if the right conditions are met. And both have the potential to be very flammable.
These are collected by our contractor, where the pressure is released and the material contained inside is disposed of safely. After this, the cylinder or can then becomes recycled steel.
6. Fluorescent Light Tubes/Bulbs
Fluorescent lamps contain mercury, which is a very hazardous material. If released into the environment, mercury can be extremely toxic to ecosystem health. As well, human health, as it does not break down and can bio-accumulate.
Lamps are collected by our contractor, where the harmful chemicals are removed. As a result, the chemicals are disposed of safely and all other materials are recycled when possible.
In conclusion, we do see a plethora of other materials at our Household Hazardous & Electronic Waste Depot. If you’re wondering if your material is hazardous, check out our page on What’s Hazardous.
Thank you for recycling safely!