As summertime comes to a close, you may find yourself with a surplus of fertilizers and pesticides needed for the warmer months we have just left behind. As with any household hazardous waste items, it is important to pay attention to the products you buy, how long they last and if they are recyclable.
One type of fertilizer that is more eco-friendly and available to consumers is fertilizer that does not contain pesticides. These organic products only contain plant nutrients and do not need a specific method of disposal. Fertilizers with pesticides can be potent to the environment if not disposed correctly.
Fertilizers with pesticides are often labeled as “pre-emergent,” “weed preventer,” “insect control” or “disease control.” The fertilizer itself is not recyclable, but the container is. The best way to discover the proper way of recycling is to find a local HHW facility near you and ask about their regulations. Many facilities suggest throwing out fertilizer by itself in a container and cleaning out the container before recycling it.
This also brings up the question of when it is a good time to throw away your fertilizer. Some fertilizers have an expiration date on their container, but not all. The best way is to pay attention to whether the fertilizer is working or not.
Many of these same rules apply to all pesticides in general. Although you should not reuse any empty containers that once contained pesticides, a good way to make the most efficient use of the product is to give away an extra pesticides you have to friends or neighbors who need it. Pesticides should never been thrown away into sinks, toilets or any kind of sewer system, as they can pollute waterways.
If possible, it is best to look for organic alternatives to HHW items, but you can still protect the environment by looking up and following these steps to recycle products. As summertime comes to a close, you may find yourself with a surplus of fertilizers and pesticides needed for the warmer months we have just left behind. As with any household hazardous waste items, it is important to pay attention to the products you buy, how long they last and if they are recyclable.
One type of fertilizer that is more eco-friendly and available to consumers is fertilizer that does not contain pesticides. These organic products only contain plant nutrients and do not need a specific method of disposal. Fertilizers with pesticides can be potent to the environment if not disposed correctly.
Fertilizers with pesticides are often labeled as “pre-emergent,” “weed preventer,” “insect control” or “disease control.” The fertilizer itself is not recyclable, but the container is. The best way to discover the proper way of recycling is to find a local HHW facility near you and ask about their regulations. Many facilities suggest throwing out fertilizer by itself in a container and cleaning out the container before recycling it.
This also brings up the question of when it is a good time to throw away your fertilizer. Some fertilizers have an expiration date on their container, but not all. The best way is to pay attention to whether the fertilizer is working or not.
Many of these same rules apply to all pesticides in general. Although you should not reuse any empty containers that once contained pesticides, a good way to make the most efficient use of the product is to give away an extra pesticides you have to friends or neighbors who need it. Pesticides should never been thrown away into sinks, toilets or any kind of sewer system, as they can pollute waterways.
If possible, it is best to look for organic alternatives to HHW items, but you can still protect the environment by looking up and following these steps to recycle products. 