PUB0762

Missouri Department of Natural Resources

fact sheet

Missouri Department of Natural Resources

Director: Dru Buntin

Damaged or Unusable Household Chemicals

  • Homeowners repairing or recovering possessions from their homes may find products used to care for home and property that are damaged and unusable.
  • Products labeled with words such as POISON, DANGER, WARNING or CAUTION contain hazardous chemicals. Examples of such products are cleaning solutions, drain cleaners, pesticides, solvents, oil-based paint and fuels. These wastes, commonly referred to as “household hazardous wastes,” should be separated from other wastes before disposal if possible.
  • Use extreme caution when cleaning up household products in leaking or damaged containers. Wear rubber gloves and avoid breathing any fumes or dust. Do not work around these damaged products in confined or poorly ventilated areas.
  • The Missouri Department of Natural Resources encourages counties and municipalities to use household hazardous waste collection programs for these wastes. Use of these collection programs will ensure that wastes are disposed of in a safe and environmentally sound manner.
  • Check with your local officials and use a household hazardous waste collection program if one is available in your area. If a collection program is not available, this waste may be disposed of in a permitted sanitary landfill. For your own safety, do not burn these materials as they may produce toxic smoke. 

Nothing in this document may be used to implement any enforcement action or levy any penalty unless promulgated by rule under chapter 536 or authorized by statute.

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