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Safe Alternatives to Hazardous Wastes
| Instead of: | Try This! |
|---|---|
| Flea collars | Add garlic tablets, vitamin B or brewer's yeast to pets diet. (Consult your veterinarian). |
| Ant poison | Place red chili powder, paprika, dried peppermint leaves at entry points to deter entry. |
| Fertilizers | Use unfinished compost, mulch. |
| Insecticides | Inside - spray plants with mixture of 1/2 capful dish detergent and 500 ml of water, rinse when insects are dead repeat every 2 weeks. Outside - introduce predators like ladybugs and preying mantis, companion planting. |
| Slug / snail poison | Saucer of beer or brewer's yeast in garden. |
| Air fresheners | Boil cinnamon and cloves in water, place out an open box of baking soda. |
| Swimming pool chemicals | Ozone or ultra-violet light systems. |
| Abrasive cleaners | Rub area with lemon sipped in borax, rinse and dry. |
| Ammonia-based cleaners | Mix vinegar, salt and water for surface ares. Baking soda and water for bathroom tiles. |
| Drain declogger | 1 - 2 handfuls of baking soda, half cup of vinegar, allow to set for 1 hour, run water. |
| Floor and furniture polish | Mix 1:2 parts lemon juice to olive oil or vegetable oil. |
| Silver polish | Soak in boiling water with baking soda, salt and a piece of aluminum foil. |
| Window cleaner | Mix 2 tablespoons of vinegar in 1 litre of water in an empty spray bottle. |
Info used with permission from the Toronto Region Conservation Authority (TRCA)
Safety Tips
Here are some guidelines for safety when using household hazardous wastes:
- Do not buy more than you need to do the job.
- Keep various products separated.
- Do not mix hazardous wastes.
- Store in safe, well ventilated place away from children, pets and sources of heat.
- Make sure containers are not broken and are securely capped or sealed.
- Keep bleaches and ammonia away from acids.
- When pesticides, bleaches and ammonia etc. are all used up, rinse container three or four times, and deliver the rinsed containers to the Camrose Regional Sanitary Landfill. Disperse the rinsings on your area of application.
- Keep unused paints, pesticides, bleaches, ammonia, etc. until the annual Household Hazardous Waste Round-up, or give to neighbours to use up.
- Do not use chemical containers for other purposes.
- Do not burn, crush or puncture aerosol cans.
- Deliver waste oil to a service station that participates in an oil recycling program, or to a household hazardous waste depot.
Info adapted with permission from the Toronto Region Conservation Authority (TRCA)