Many of the household waste we are used to are classified as hazardous. Why shouldn't they be thrown into the general trash can, and where should they be put
Modern household waste is a ticking time bomb for our eco-system. Harmless "T-shirt bags", disposable diapers and pads, cans and glass bottles decompose in nature for 100 to 500 years. That is why there is so much talk now about the right attitude towards garbage. After all, more than half of what we throw in the trash can be recycled and reused. Even if you have not yet come to sorting waste, remember the types of waste that cannot be thrown into the general container. They cause the greatest harm to nature, and most often are subject to specific disposal.
Plastic bags
Clean polyethylene bags can be returned as plastic / istockphoto.com
Disposable "T-shirts" and garbage bags have become so common in our everyday life that we often do not even think about whether they can be thrown into the trash can. In fact, it is one of the most important "polluters" of nature - primarily due to its incredible amount.
What to do about it:
If possible, avoid using trash bags and minimize the use of plastic bags. They can be successfully replaced with reusable shopping bags made of fabric or sturdy mesh. If it doesn't work, put all the used polyethylene in a separate place, and then throw it into plastic containers, which are now installed in almost all cities of the country.
Mercury thermometers
Mercury thermometers must be disposed of / istockphoto.com
Despite the fact that many have now switched to electronic thermometers or forked out to buy non-contact thermometers, mercury thermometers are still the leaders in pharmacy sales. They are affordable and there are observations that show body temperature more accurately than their modern counterparts. If you also actively use them, then you should know - throw spoiled mercury thermometer prohibited. One such device contains up to 500 mg of mercury - a substance that belongs to especially hazardous household waste.
What to do about it:
Whole mercury thermometers can be disposed of in hazardous waste containers: they are bright orange in color and have several compartments for the type of waste. In Kiev, their location can be found on the website kks.kiev.ua. It is strictly forbidden to throw broken thermometers into such a container. They need to be handed over to a specialized center for the disposal of hazardous waste (in Kiev, you can take them to st. Vyshgorodskaya, 21/1)
Energy-saving lamps
Energy saving lamps contain mercury / istockphoto.com
Modern energy saving lamps are fluorescent and LED. LEDs are considered safe and recyclable (this should be indicated on the light bulb box). But luminescent ones contain toxic substances (mercury and phosphorus), therefore, like mercury thermometers, they are classified as hazardous waste.
What to do about it:
We are looking for containers for hazardous waste on the site kks.kiev.ua or in our city, we take the lamp there and throw it into a special compartment "for compact energy-saving lamps". Or we put it in one place and take it to the hazardous waste disposal center in an organized manner
Batteries
Used batteries are accepted in many supermarkets / istockphoto.com
This irreplaceable attribute of modern technology is used in incredible quantities. According to statistics, one Ukrainian family on average spends up to 20 different types of batteries per year. If the family has children, the number of batteries doubles, or even triples - they are needed for almost all interactive toys. Used batteries most often end up in the trash can and end up in a landfill. Meanwhile, they contain a lot toxic trace elements, which, when they enter the ground and water, pollute them for many kilometers around
What to do about it:
Replace disposable batteries with rechargeable rechargeable batteries. Dispose of batteries and accumulators that have already been used in the special compartment of hazardous waste containers. By the way, batteries are accepted by many large supermarkets, and then they themselves transfer them for recycling. For example, they can be returned in ATB and Silpo supermarkets, as well as in Watsons, COMFY and Vodafon stores.
Medicines
Medicines must not be thrown in the trash or flushed down the toilet / istockphoto.com
We also throw expired medicines into the trash, absolutely not thinking about their future fate. But they contain dangerous chemicals that can pollute soil and groundwater as much as batteries. Therefore, it is strictly forbidden to flush the tablets down the toilet. Also, they, along with syringes and drugs in ampoules, cannot be thrown into the trash can.
What to do about it:
Review your home medicine cabinet periodically and collect all expired and unused medications in a separate box. In Kiev, they can be handed over to the company "Environmental Investments" at st. Upper shaft, 4-A. By the way, in addition to medicines, this organization is engaged in the disposal of batteries and light bulbs containing mercury, accepts various plastics and aerosol cans. You can also take old tires from cars and decommissioned electronics and household appliances here.
Disposable diapers
Diapers decompose for over 250 years / istockphoto.com
Disposable diapers, nappies and panty liners have long become a familiar hygiene item for us. A modern woman and mother cannot imagine life without these convenient and irreplaceable things. At the same time, few people know that they are practically not amenable to processing due to their complex multicomponent composition. And they decompose for a very long time: on average, from 250 to 500 years.
What to do about it:
Throwing them into the general trash is highly undesirable. It is good to have a separate box or container for this type of waste and periodically take them to waste sorting stations that offer thermal recycling (incineration of waste that cannot be processing). True, you will have to pay for this separately. For example, at the station "Ukraine without smittya" burning a large package of 120 liters costs 100 UAH.
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How long does it take for food waste, diapers and other waste to decompose?
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