For many companies in the United States and abroad, being kind to the environment, better known as being “green” or “eco-friendly,” has become standard business practice. Not only is this practice beneficial for the environment, it can also be an effective business marketing tool. Educating people on the proper way to dispose of hazardous household materials is one way that companies can greatly benefit their local communities. Although many dangerous household items are improperly disposed of every day in Fairbanks, the office of XYZ Corporation should provide an education-based disposal program and a convenient drop point for residents who live in Fairbanks because the community needs to be informed of the proper way to dispose of hazardous household items, these materials need to be segregated, and transporting these items to the landfill will help keep Fairbanks a safe place to live.
It may not be widely known that many products used for cleaning, carpentry, auto repair and gardening may contain ingredients that can harm people and the environment. The average home can contain as much as 100 pounds of environmentally harmful products, such as drain and oven cleaners, paint thinners, strippers and removers, automotive oil and fuel additives, grease and rust removers, glues, bug and weed killers, and mold and mildew removers (EPA.gov). Pouring these chemicals down the drain, on the ground, or throwing them out with the trash may pollute the environment and can pose a health threat to the community.
Proper disposal of batteries, computers, and other electronic equipment is also an area of concern. Many electronics contain mercury, lead, and other harmful chemicals that can harm if they are disposed of improperly (eHow). Batteries that are thrown in the trash or left outside on the ground erode and rust, causing the dangerous battery acid inside to leak out.
Prescription medications that are thrown into the trash endanger children, pets, or others who might consume them. Also, disposing of prescription medications by flushing them down the toilet ultimately pollutes the water supply, causing people to unknowingly ingest dangerous pharmaceuticals. Sewage treatment facilities are designed to filter out natural human excrement from water systems, but not the various chemicals and pharmaceuticals that become part of the water system. This problem continues to grow as more people are using prescription medications and over-the-counter preparations (Musson, Townsend, Seaburg, Mousa, 2007, p.828-829).
Many communities have organized special collection days and have special drop-off sites for harmful household products (Dunn, 2008). XYZ Corporation can provide valuable assistance to the Fairbanks’ community in this effort. They can help educate the public on what constitutes hazardous household materials and how to safely dispose of them by providing funding for radio, television, and print advertising.
Education can also be provided on environmentally friendly alternatives to harsh chemicals. There many less harmful products available for everyday tasks. The Environmental Protection Agency on its website, EPA.gov, has the following helpful suggestions:
- Glass Cleaner: Mix 1 tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice in 1 quart of water.
- Toilet Bowl Cleaner: Use a toilet brush and baking soda or vinegar.
- Furniture Polish: Mix 1 teaspoon of lemon juice in 1 pint of vegetable oil.
- Rug Deodorizer: Sprinkler liberally with baking soda and vacuum for 15 minutes.
- Plant Spray: Wipe leaves with mild soap and water and rinse.
- Mothballs: Use cedar chips, lavender flowers, rosemary, mint, or white peppercorns.
In addition to encouraging community awareness, XYZ’s offices can serve as a convenient drop point for the residents of downtown Fairbanks. While the Fairbanks North Star Borough Landfill accepts household hazardous waste from residents free of charge, many who live in downtown Fairbanks do not own adequate transportation, inhibiting their access to the landfill. While the landfill charges fees to businesses for depositing hazardous waste materials, these fees are nominal, and within certain requirements, also free of charge (FNSB Solid Waste Division).
Everyone must be made aware of the danger that can be brought about by the improper disposal of hazardous household materials, as both a health and environmental hazard. XYZ Corporation can provide a great service to Fairbanks by making the community more aware of this problem and assisting residents in their disposal of these items. By doing so, XYZ Corporation can reap the benefits of positive publicity and neighborhood goodwill that can come from this very worthwhile endeavor.
References:
Environmental Protection Agency. (2006, October). Sure, your home is clean..but is it safe for your family? be smart about using household products! Retrieved from http://www.epa.gov/cgi-bin/epalink?logname=allsearch&referrer=sure your home is clean|1|All&target=http://www.epa.gov/wastes/conserve/materials/pubs/hhw-safe.htm
Environmental Protection Agency. (2010, October 12). Household hazardous waste. Retrieved from http://www.epa.gov/waste/conserve/materials/hhw.htm
eHow Contributor, Initials. (n.d.). How to dispose of household chemicals. Retrieved from Environmental Protection Agency, Initials. (2010, October 12). Household hazardous waste. Retrieved from http://www.ehow.com/print/how_2085744_dispose-household-chemicals.html#ixzz13RHRemrR
Musson, Stephen E., Townsend, Timothy, Seaburg, Kurt, & Mousa, John. (2007). A continuous collection system for household pharmaceutical wastes: a pilot project. Journal of the Air and Waste Management Association, 57, 828-835.
Dunn, Collin. (2008, March 12). Dispose of toxic household chemicals, safely. Retrieved from http://planetgreen.discovery.com/home-garden/dispose-toxic-household-chemicals-safely.html
Fairbanks North Star Borough, Solid Waste Division. (2010). Fy11 recycling hazardous household waste user fee schedule (july 1, 2010 through june 30, 2011) Fairbanks, AK: Retrieved from http://fnsb.us/solidwaste
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