KATHY’S HOME & GARDEN TIPS – HAZARDOUS HOUSEHOLD WASTE
Our good friend and Home Inspector Extraordinaire, Ryan Foley, had a very interesting article in his August newsletter. Check out the full article at http://www.spyglassinspections.net/. Most of us don't realize that many of the items we use every day can be detrimental to the environment if disposed of improperly. I'm in no way an environmentalist zealot, but any time we can keep our environment cleaner is O.K. with me.
About 3 billion dry cell batteries are used every year to power toys and many other electronic devises. They contain heavy metals which are dangerous if they get into the ground water. Many cleaners used around the house can pose problems also. Try to use environmentally friendly cleaners such as CLR. I've talked before on the many cleaning properties of vinegar and baking soda. Nearly any cleaning chore can be taken care of with these products. Regular soap used for hand washing is very close to being as effective as anti-bacterial soap and not as harmful to ground water.
I've been guilty of this in the past - flushing old and out-dated medicine down the toilet. DON'T!! Prescription drug traces are showing up in the ground water in many urban areas. Contact your pharmacy, they may have a program or be able to send you to a place that will properly dispose of old medicines.
Many local chain stores like Target, Radio Shack, Best Buy, and Home Improvement accept CFL bulbs and old electronics for recycling. Do not throw CFL bulbs in the trash, they contain mercury. You may as well drop off your old electronics which often contain lead.
In Chicago call city information at 311. They will tell you where and when you can safely dispose of HHW (hazardous household waste). Outside the city of Chicago, call your village hall.
KATHLEEN WEAVER-ZECH & DEAN'S TEAM CHICAGO
