Household hazardous wastes: options for management

Household hazardous waste (HHW) disposal contributes significantly to the cost of HHW collection programs. In addition, disposal of HHW can contribute to the toxicity of leachate from landfill, heavy metals in ash from waste incinerators, and heavy metals and toxic organic compounds in composted material and sewage sludge. Other options such as product substitution, waste minimization, reuse, or recycling should be considered to help reduce …