Yellow triangles indicate materials which should Green leaves indicate material that can be recycled Household Waste Chart* not be poured down the drain, but can be safely or reused or shared with neighbors or family members. The following chart from the Water Environment disposed of in a sanitary landfill or incinerator. Note If there is a recycling program in your area, take the Federation will show you effective ways to dispose of that medicines can often be taken to a community materials there. If not, encourage local officials to start a household waste and contribute to a sustainable clean drug take-back program or mixed with undesirable recycling program. environment. substances such as kitty litter or coffee grounds. Pills *The information contained in this chart is Blue waves M indicate products which can be poured (except narcotics) can also be dissolved and mixed with intended as a general guideline. Laws and down the drain with plenty of water. If you have a regular trash. Be sure the material is properly contained regulations may vary from state to state. For more septic tank, additional caution should be exercised before it is put out for collection or carried to the landfill. information on the safest way to dispose of these when dumping these items down the drain. In fact, The red octagons V indicate hazardous wastes or and other products, contact your area’s solid and because septic systems rely on healthy bacteria, there mateials that should be saved for a community-wide hazardous waste department or federal or state are certain chemical substances that cannot be used collection day or given to a licensed hazardous waste environmental agency. Check manufacturer’s with them. Be sure to read the labels to determine if a contractor when left over or unused. (Even the empty label for specific disposal guidelines. product could damage septic systems. containers should be taken to a licensed contractor if one is available.)

Kitchen Type of Waste Disposal Garage Type of Waste Disposal Workshop, Cont. Type of Waste Disposal Aluminum cleaners Antifreeze V Turpentine V Ammonia-based cleaners M Automatic transmission fluid V Varnish V Bug sprays V Auto body repair products V Wood preservative V Drain cleaners V Battery acid (or battery) V Miscellaneous Type of Waste Disposal Egg shells Brake fluid V Aerosol cans (empty) Floor care products V Car wax with solvent V Aerosol cans (not empty) V Furniture polish V Diesel fuel V Ammunition V Metal polish with solvent V Fuel additives V Artists’ paints (acrylic) Window cleaner Fuel oil V Artists’ paints (oil based) V Oven cleaner (lye base) V Gasoline V Cat litter Fats, oils and grease (including oil from Kerosene V Cellular phones V turkey fryers) Metal polish with solvent V Dry cleaning solvents V Bathroom Type of Waste Disposal Motor oil V Fiberglass epoxy V Bathroom cleaners Other oils V Gun cleaning solvents V Diapers (baby wipes) Workshop Type of Waste Disposal Lighter fluid V Disinfectants Cutting oil V Mercury batteries V Toilet bowl cleaner Deck cleaners/stains V Moth balls V Tub and tile cleaners V Glue (solvent based) V Old fire alarms V Pharmaceutical products or drugs Glue (water based) Fluorescent light bulbs V (expired or used) M Paint (latex) Pet care products (flea and tick repellent) Personal care products (aftershaves, Paint (oil based) Photographic chemicals perfumes, depilatories, permanent or other V V lotions, hair relaxers, nail polish, dyes, waxes) Paint (auto) V Shoe polish V Sharps (needles for diabetics) V Paint (model) V Swimming pool chemicals V Garden Type of Waste Disposal Paint brush cleaner with solvent V White-out (used for corrections) Fertilizer V Paint brush cleaner with TSP M Fungicide V Paint stripper V M — Can be poured down the drain with plenty of water. Herbicide V Paint stripper (lye base) V — Cannot be poured down the drain, but can be Insecticide V Paint thinner V safely disposed of in a sanitary landfill or incinerator. Rat poison V Primer V V — Hazardous wastes. Weed killer V Rust remover (with phosphoric acid) V — Recycle, reuse, or share.