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Almost every house or shed contains everyday products made from materials or substances that have the potential to be harmful to human health or the environment if they are not managed in accordance with the directions provided with the product. They are products used in cleaning, home improvements, car maintenance, lawn and garden care, hobbies and a variety of other tasks.

Because of the dangers they can pose these products require special awareness, handling, storage and disposal. In order to protect health and environment every consumer should know how to properly use, store and dispose of household hazardous products.

Products are considered hazardous if they have one or more of the following properties;

• Flammable/combustible: can be easily set on fire
• Explosive/reactive: can detonate or explode through exposure to heat, sudden shock, pressure or incompatible substances.
• Corrosive: Chemical action can burn or destroy living tissues or other materials when brought into contact.
• Poisons/toxic: Capable of causing injury or death through ingestion, inhalation or skin absorption.

Paints, pesticides, waste oil, cleaners, solvents, pool chemicals, degreasers and other car care products, batteries and polishes are all examples of products that could be hazardous if stored, used or disposed of improperly.

When household hazardous products are no longer usable or wanted they become household hazardous waste. Such waste if carelessly managed may result in risks to human health and the environment. It is extremely important for everyone to manage these hazardous wastes in a responsible manner to minimise the risks.

• Look for safer alternatives to hazardous products. Click here for more information on alternative products.
• Buy only what is needed to get the job done. Avoid over purchasing with the thought that it can be used later. Buying in large quantities is not a bargain if half of it has to be discarded.
• Read the label carefully. Hazardous product labels often list the principal hazards from using the product, such as “flammable”, or “avoid skin contact”. Make sure it is the product you want to buy and that you understand the instructions.
• Check to see if safety equipment is required when using this product. Make sure you have the proper equipment on hand or that you purchase it for use with the product.
• Make sure you have a safe area for storage. Away from children, foodstuff and animals.

• Read all labels before using hazardous products paying careful attention to proper use instructions and dangers.
• Twice as much does not mean improved results.
• Do not mix products unless instructed by label directions. Mixing products can cause explosive or poisonous chemical reactions.
• During use keep hazardous products out of reach of small children.
• Do not eat, drink or smoke while using hazardous products. Traces of hazardous chemicals can be carried from hand to mouth. Smoking can start a fire if the product is flammable.
• Use products in a well-ventilated area to avoid inhaling fumes. Try to keep the lids closed as much as possible while working with hazardous products to minimise the fumes.
• Use appropriate personal protective equipment specified for the task.

• Keep products out of reach of children and animals. Store all hazardous products away from food items, in locked cabinets, or in cabinets with childproof latches.
• Make sure all lids and caps are tightly sealed.
• Make sure all products are clearly labelled.
• Leave products in their original containers. Never put hazardous products into food or beverage containers.
• Keep products away from sources of heat, spark, flame or ignition sources, lights, switches and motors. This is particularly important with flammable products and aerosol cans.
• Never store rags contaminated with flammable solvents (such as wood stain and paint remover) because they can spontaneously start on fire. Follow the directions on the label. If there are no directions allow the solvent to volatilise by hanging the contaminate rags outside away from your home and sources of sparks.

In most cases the best thing to do with a left over product is to use it all according to the label instructions or find someone else who can use it. However banned or restricted pesticides, old medicines, and products whose safety instructions are no longer readable should not be use or shared.

If the product cannot be reused then it must be stored safely until you can;

• participate in a household hazardous waste collection in your area, or
• take your unwanted chemicals to the Zero Waste SA Household Hazardous Waste Depot. The depot is located at the corner of Magazine Road and Henschke Street Dry Creek and is open to householders on the first Tuesday of every month between 9am and 12 noon.

For more information on the Dry Creek Depot contact Zero Waste SA on (+61 8) 8204 1947

If household hazardous wastes are improperly disposed they may cause damage to the environment and human health.

The disposal of hazardous wastes into the sewer could;

• Damage the structure of the sewerage system
• Harm people working on the sewers
• Interfere with the proper workings of the sewage treatment works
• Affect the quality of the discharge from the sewage treatment works and so damage the environment.

South Australia sets stringent requirements to control the discharge of wastes to sewer. Many household chemicals such as motor oil, mineral turpentine and most other solvents, including paints, are strictly banned for disposal to sewer. The Trade Waste section of SA Water should be consulted prior to the discharge of household chemicals to sewer- telephone (08) 8207 1350.

The stormwater system drains to our waterways, lakes and oceans. It should only carry stormwater NOT wastewater or washdown water, rubbish, litter or any other contaminant that can be prevented from entering the system.

Hazardous wastes can kill the organisms which enable the septic system to function. This may cause untreated wastes to drain into the soil with the possibility of seeping into groundwater.

The waste from households is collected at the kerbside and loaded onto a truck where it is compacted immediately. Household hazardous waste discarded in the garbage may ignite or explode in the collection truck causing injury or affecting the health and safety of the collectors. In the landfill these wastes can leach into surface water and groundwater leading to contamination.

This information sheet is intended to serve as a guide for the management of household hazardous products. Because of the dangers they can pose household hazardous products, and their associated wastes, require special handling and disposal. Our health and environment are at stake, so it is important that each of us take responsibility for the products we use.

1. Ohio Environment Protection Authority (1998). A Guide to Safe Management of Household Hazardous Waste.

2. South Australian Environment Protection Authority Information Sheet (2003). Household Hazardous Waste-management and disposal.

3. University of Missouri, Household Hazardous Waste Project (1993). Waste Management Publication WM6004. Managing Household Hazardous Waste.