![[logo] US EPA](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090508145109im_/http://www.epa.gov/epafiles/images/logo_epaseal.gif){kind=logo}
In Your Home
The best place to start and make a difference is right in your own home. You can reduce the amount of materials you use and waste you produce, reuse products in new ways, recycle goods, and choose items and alternative methods to use less toxic chemicals.
The good news is that it's easy! Resources below will help you get started.
- At the Store
- Waste Reduction and Recycling
- Household Hazardous Waste
- Household Medical Waste
- Lawn and Garden
- Other Household Waste
- Where Can I Donate or Recycle My Old Computer and Other Electronic Products?
You will need Adobe Reader to view some of the files on this page. See EPA's PDF page to learn more.
Waste Reduction and Recycling
The Consumer's Handbook for Reducing Solid Waste
Describes how consumers can reduce their garbage by making environmentally aware decisions about products and packaging.
Moving Out, Moving In: Making Environmental Choices When You Move (PDF) (12 pp, 331K)
Suggests environmentally safe alternatives to throwing away unwanted "junk" and shows consumers how to make smart, informed decisions when purchasing new items.
Recycle: You Can Make a Ton of Difference (PDF) (3 pp, 357K)
Introduces the national recycling campaign by providing an overview of solid waste problems and recycling solutions.
Household Hazardous Waste
Be Smart (Poster) (PDF) (1 pg, 568K) en Español (PDF) (1 pg, 531K)
Lists some of the household products that contain ingredients that can harm you, your family, and the environment.
Sure your home is clean...but is it safe for your family? (PDF) (2 pp, 539K) en Español (PDF) (2 pp, 1.9MB)
Provides guidance to safeguard your family, your home, and your community from harmful products and ingredients commonly used for cleaning, carpentry, auto repair, gardening and other tasks.
Household Medical Waste
Protect Yourself, Protect Others: Safe Options for Home Needle Disposal (PDF) (2 pp, 1.2MB) Chinese Translation (PDF) (2 pp, 804K)
Describes disposal options for people who use syringes and other medical sharps at home. Contains information on six types of services available to home users: drop-off collection sites, community household hazardous waste collection centers, residential "special waste" pick-ups, syringe exchange programs, mail-back services, and home needle destruction devices.
Handle with Care: How to Throw Out Used Insulin Syringes and Lancets at Home - A Booklet for Young People with Diabetes and their Families (PDF) (8 pp, 467K)
Offers easy directions and illustrations on how to protect family members and waste handlers from injury, while keeping the environment clean and safe.
Lawn and Garden
Composting
Discusses and defines composting, what compost can be used for, and other related topics.
Greenscaping Your Lawn and Garden (PDF) (8 pp, 757K)
Shows how to reduce the environmental impacts of landscaping your lawn and property by grasscycling, mulching, and composting.
GreenScaping: The Easy Way to a Greener, Healthier Yard (PDF) (16 pp, 2.1MB)
Offers guidance for consumers on changing their landscapes to GreenScapes, saving time and money while protecting the environment.
Other Household Waste
Donate or Recycle Electronics: eCycle (PDF) (2 pp, 1.5MB)
Describes EPA's campaign to encourage the reuse and recycling of electronic products - computers, monitors, printers, televisions, cell phones, etc.
Collecting Used Oil for Recycling/Reuse: Tips for Consumers Who Change Their Own Motor Oil and Oil Filters (PDF) (8 pp, 219K) en Español
Provides step-by-step instructions for changing motor oil, recycling used oil, and changing and recycling used oil filters. Lists uses for recycled oil.
You Dump It, You Drink It - Recycle Used Motor Oil (PDF) (4 pp, 127K) en Español (PDF) (4 pp, 177K)
Provides information on the impacts of improperly disposed oil as well as guidance for proper disposal. This is a brochure for Do-It-Yourselfers and consumers.
