Down the drain?

Many people who care a great deal about the environment think nothing of pouring household chemicals down the drain. When was the last time you cleaned a paint brush with turpentine and washed the whole works away? Or used a caustic drain opener to unplug the kitchen sink?

The careless disposal of motor oils, paints, solvents, cleaners and other household chemicals – some of which are highly toxic and explosive – down our toilets and drains can wreak havoc on waste treatment facilities and our aquatic environments.

Many of these chemicals can kill the bacteria which break down organic matter in sewage. Without these bacteria the treatment process is severely impaired. Further, many of these chemicals are resistant to any treatment. The result: polluted lakes, streams and groundwater.

There are environmentally friendly alternatives to these chemicals that do just as good a job, although some require a little more elbow grease.

So, how do you dispose of all those chemicals you have around the house now? They should never be poured down the drain! The local landfill site is no place for them either. They can seep into surrounding rivers or groundwater, and end up back in your drinking water.

Many municipalities have set up household toxic waste depots where trained experts decide on the best way to reuse, recycle or safely dispose of the material. Call your municipal office to find out how to dispose of your household chemicals.

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