Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: MONDAY, March 26, 1990                   TAG: 9003242470
SECTION: EXTRA                    PAGE: E6   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Tammy Poole
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

DOS AND DON'TS FOR DISPOSING OF CHEMICALS

A: You're not alone in being confused about how to properly dispose of chemicals.

Almost all of the substances we use to clean, disinfect and protect our homes, clothing, furnishings and dishes, have been made for use in the home and are safe to dispose of through normal waste collection systems, according to The Household Products Disposal Council in Washington, D.C.

Only a very small percentage of these products, such as motor oil, old or banned pesticides, hobby chemicals or unknown products need special care in disposal.

Following are some of the council's dos and don'ts for disposing of household consumer products:

Do buy the right amount of product for the job you have to do. Read the label carefully before you purchase.

Do use up any product you buy. If you can't use all of it, give it to someone who can. Make sure that any product you give away is in its original container with the label intact and all use and disposal instructions included. For instance, give leftover paint to a local community group or donate leftover pesticides to a local garden club.

Products that go down the drain during normal use can be disposed of by pouring them down the drain with plenty of water. Dispose of each product separately, small amounts at a time. This includes sink and drain cleaners, laundry products, and detergents.

Empty all aerosol cans before disposing by spraying until no more of the product is released. Never put empty aerosol containers into an incinerator or trash compactor.

If a product's label contains a warning about avoining contact with the skin, wrap the container in newspaper before placing it in the trash

Recycle wastes if possible. Take used or contaminated motor oil, transmission fluid, kerosene and diesel fuel to an automotive service center, oil recycling station, or authorized collection site. Old car batteries can also be recycled.

Don't dispose of any materials by pouring them onto the soil or into a storm sewer.

Don't bury any containers, empty or full, in your back yard.

Don't dump chemicals in roadside dumps.

Don't use a backyard fireplace or barbecue as an incinerator.

Don't remove product labels or products from their original containers for storage or future use.

Don't refill empty containers, even with the same material, unless the label recommends it.

For questions about the proper disposal of any household wastes, call the product manufacturer, public health office, or the Household Products Disposal Council, 1201 Connecticut Ave. N.W., Suite 300, Washington, D.C. 20036. The council's number is (202) 659-5535.