Household Hazardous Waste
What is it? What can we do about it?
Household Hazardous waste comes in many forms, but all of them are harmful to the environment if disposed of improperly.
Your Public Library has references about Household Hazardous products and Earth Friendly Alternatives that you can use. Clean North has an environmental library where these same alternatives can be found. Call first (945-1573) and then stop by.
Sault Ste. Marie started its first Household Special Waste Depot in the fall of 2001. It's located in the Industrial Park, and it's open Fridays and Saturdays during the months of April through October. Go north on Great Northern Road, turn left at Industrial Park Crescent (directly opposite Esquire Honda). Drive all the way to the back of the industrial park, and where the road curves, that's where the depot is located.
Here is a list of some safer alternatives to the hazardous chemicals we
often use. Try some on them and you may even save money.
CAUTION: Mixing chlorine bleach with ammonia can create deadly
vapors - never do this!
| Product | Alternative |
| Air freshener | Simmer potpourri, orange peel, or cinnamon in a pot on your stove. |
| All purpose cleaners | Ammonia, white vinegar, baking soda, and water. |
| Basin, tube, and tile cleaner | Baking soda (on a wet surface) |
| Alkaline batteries | Rechargeable batteries |
| Chlorine Bleach | Hydrogen peroxide, outside drying. (Most detergents contain sun activated brighteners) |
| Chrome Cleaner | Baking Soda |
| Deodorizer (fridge & freezer) | Baking Soda |
| Dishwasher detergent | Borax and washing soda |
| Disinfectant | Borax and water |
| Drain Cleaners | Vinegar and Baking Soda |
| Fabric Softener | Hand picking or wash off with water |
| Furniture polish | Lemon oil and olive or vegetable oil |
| Glass cleaner | Vinegar and water |
| Grease cleaner | Super washing soda |
| Herbicides | Vinegar |
| Insecticides | Hand picking or wash off with water, companion planting or earth friendly tonics |
| Laundry detergents | Biodegradable or phosphate free |
| Lubricants (general household) | Petroleum jelly |
| Moth balls | Cedar chips or herb sachets |
| Oil based paints | Latex paints (water based) |
| Oven cleaners | Place a dish of ammonia in a hot oven, let stand overnight, then scrub with baking soda |
| Painted surface cleaner | Super washing soda |
| Plastic furniture cleaner | Super washing soda |