The handling and disposal of Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) has become quite a problem over the past couple decades. Items that used to be thrown into the trash, poured down the drain, or dumped in the grass have been proven to pose a health threat when disposed of improperly.
Products that are considered HHW are safe when used according to the manufacturer’s instructions, but become hazardous when they are thrown away in a manner that may leach chemicals into the soil or groundwater. Some examples of common HHW include oil-based paints, cleaners, used oils, batteries, household cleaners, fuel, pesticides or other items that contain potentially hazardous ingredients.
“Food and beverage packaging and containers are among the top 5 most littered items found on beaches and coastlines.”
Some of these packages and containers can be recycled but are not. Others are made of materials that are not widely accepted by recycling facilities. One such product is Capri Sun and similar drink pouches.
What’s the cost of convenience? The term “cost” can cover a wide range of ways that something impacts something else. It can be monetary, which is the most obvious, but money may be the least detrimental in terms of “cost”.
In a world filled with convenience stores, items, food and a host of other things directed at saving time and keeping people moving in their busy lives, some important things are being left to fall by wayside.
“Glitter seems like harmless fun, but its environmental impact has led some scientists to call for it to be banned.”
Most people “don’t hate the shimmery stuff as a matter of taste or even because of the way it permanently embeds itself on all possible surfaces, infiltrating your life and affecting your sanity.
Environmental scientists point out that banning glitter is an important step in protecting the future of the world’s oceans and aquatic life.”
Birthday parties, sporting events, and weddings have one major thing in common. They are all excellent venues to let off an enormous amount of helium-filled balloons.
While beautiful and sometimes impressive, it is also illegal in many states and constitutes littering. Many cities and states have laws banning the release of helium-filled balloons including, “California, Connecticut, Florida, Tennessee and Virginia. Cities that have laws include Ocean City, Maryland; Louisville, Kentucky; Huntsville, Alabama; San Francisco, California; Nantucket, Massachusetts, and Baltimore, Maryland.”
It may seem, on the surface, that litter helps wildlife rather than being harmful. Some food litter can help feed animals or give them a place to seek shelter from heat or rain. To the contrary, litter and landfill waste is actually more harmful than beneficial to animals and wildlife.
The handling and disposal of Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) has become quite a problem over the past couple decades. Items that used to be thrown into the trash, poured down the drain, or dumped in the grass have been proven to pose a health threat when disposed of improperly. 
