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Hazardous products contain chemical compounds that poison, corrode, explode or ignite when handled improperly. Many products found in your home are potentially hazardous, especially if they are not handled correctly. The Douglas-Sarpy-Omaha Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) facility, known as Under the Sink, opened on June 1, 2005 and provides the community a solution to dispose of all hazardous materials safely.

All hazardous products pose a threat to health, safety, and the environment. Disregarded hazardous waste pollutes the drinking water, harms children and pets, and contaminate the soil, land, and air. Common examples are leftover adhesives, lawn chemicals, paint thinners, leftover/old gas, wood and metal cleaners, pool cleaners, oven cleaners, rat poisons, or lighter fluids. Sometimes these products do not contain a “hazardous” warning on the packaging, but are still toxic, flammable, corrosive, or reactive; which are all characteristics of hazardous waste.

The average U.S. household generates more than 20 pounds of hazardous waste per year. Sometimes the waste is poured down the drain or into a storm sewer, ends up in a landfill, or is stored in the garage or basement.

The danger of poor disposal methods may not be obvious immediately, but certain types of HHW have the potential to cause physical injury to sanitation workers, contaminate septic tanks or wastewater treatment systems, and pollute rivers, lakes and streams.

The purpose of Under the Sink is to consolidate and provide short term storage until materials are picked up for recycling or taken to other waste facilities. Under the Sink is a licensed facility to dispose and recycle HHW materials environmentally. This process is free of charge.

To prepare for disposal, keep each item in its original container. If it is not in its original container, label each item. Do not mix any materials and make sure all materials are secured tightly. The facility, located at 4001 S. 120^th St. in Omaha, is open Wednesday through Friday from 9 am to 4:45 pm, and Saturday by appointment.

For more information, call (402) 444-7465 or visit underthesink.org.