
Source: Missouri Household Hazardous Waste Telephone Advice
Manual, April 1994, Household Hazardous Waste Project
Some types and quantities of household hazardous products have no
proper disposal options available and must be saved for a household
hazardous waste collection. In order to protect health and environment,
safe and proper storage of household hazardous waste is vital.
A word of caution:
This management option may cause harm to human health and the environment
if the described procedures are not followed carefully!
Materials Needed
The following materials are needed if the product container is in a
rusting metal or a breakable container:
- protective gloves, such as nitrile or chemical-resistant gloves
- a large, plastic container with a tight-fitting lid
- a nonflammable absorbent, such as clay-based cat box filler.
WARNING: Using flammable material such as
nonclay cat box filler or newspapers for overpacking may lead to
spontaneous combustion (fire).
Procedures
- Protect the product's label. Store substances in their original
containers. If an item is not in its original container, clearly label
the current container with the product's name, the date, and the
words DANGER and DO NOT OPEN. If the item is an unknown substance, clearly
label the container with the current date and the words UNKNOWN SUBSTANCE,
DANGER and DO NOT OPEN.
- If the product is in a rusting metal or a breakable container,
this container should be placed within a larger, plastic container
with a tight-fining lid.
- A nonflammable absorbent, such as clay-based cat box filler, should
be packed around the product container to absorb any possible leaks.
- Clearly label the outside container with the contents and date. Write
the words DANGER and DO NOT OPEN on the outside container.
- If the product is flammable, store it away from all sources of heat,
spark, flame, or ignition. Remember these sources include water heaters,
electrical appliances, light switches, electric garage door openers, pilot
lights, engines and motors.
- Store the container out of the reach of children and animals in a
separate locked cabinet or other secure structure.