PSA - Toxic and Hazardous Waste Water Pollution

Toxic and Hazardous Waste 

A Water Pollution Public Service Announcement

Hazardous waste:

Don't drink poisonous water! Hazardous or toxic waste eventually ends up in our water.  By taking simple steps in recycling toxics and proper disposal methods we can reduce pollution and protect our water systems. Hazardou waste is 

Some examples include pesticides, automotive fluids, fluorescent light bulbs, rechargeable batteries, some household chemicals, mercury, oils, and fuel.

Consequences:
Hazardous waste gets on the ground.  It can contaminate the soil, which could also contaminate the groundwater or nearby surface water.  Many household products, fertilizers, and pesticides contain hazardous chemicals.  These can travel through the soil and contaminate groundwater.  Many consumer products can contain toxic chemicals and in many cases there are less toxic alternatives you can choose from.

Less toxic chemicals are better for your health and safer around your home and family. More toxic chemicals can irritate skin, cause breathing problems, and poison children and pets.

How you can prevent water pollution:
Read and follow signs to conserve or save water, post more signs around your neighborhood, take your toxic wastes to the county dump station, or you could join an earth day volunteer project to help clean up your local area.

The county dump has a hazardous waste disposal program that identifies toxic waste and how to dispose of it. 

Make up signs to post around your community with a message that reminds residents that storm drains dump directly into their local water source, make a poster about ways to save water at home like turning off the water when you're brushing your teeth or only running the dishwasher when you have a full load.

People can choose safer products.  Look for products that have an EPA Safer Choice logo, used to indicate the products that meet US EPA safer product standards.  Products with this label use the safest ingredients, and are just as effective as other similar products.  Products to choose from that can be less toxic include, all-purpose cleaners, bathroom cleaners, degreasers, soaps, and laundry detergents.

What's A Solution:

My solution is to post signs around our local towns and community areas.  Simple reminders will show and tell people of possible  water pollution problems.  Signs telling people how to dispose and recycle waste will reduce pollution in our soils and water systems.  Many signs are available telling people how to conserve water, help not waste water, and stop water pollution.

What I want to do is to share available information about the county's waste program to let people know how to handle toxics and household waste.  I can also make up informative posters out of cardboard or sign poster material.  I would use markers, glue, stickers, and tape to decorate and create colorful information boards. With help communities can learn how to manage solid and hazardous waste.  They can also choose to use less toxic chemicals in the products we use.  By learning proper disposal methods for the everyday household products and using more green practices we can protect our valuable water resources. 

Here is an example of the Jefferson County Solid Waste household hazardous waste disposal flyer.  127862_HHW facility_WEB (wordpress.com)

Sources:

Source Water Protection (SWP). Easy Things You Can Do To Protect Drinking Water Source.
https://www.epa.gov/sourcewaterprotection/easy-things-you-can-do
Cleveland Clinic.  Household Chemical Products and Their Health Risk.
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health
Washington State Department of Ecology.  Publications and Forms. Wastes and Toxics.
https://ecology.wa.gov
Jefferson County, WA – Solid Waste Program
https://jeffersoncountysolidwaste.com/
Jefferson County Solid Waste. Hazardous Waste Flyer.
https://solidwaste.files.wordpress.com/2020/04/2020-hhw-facility-flyer.pdf

By Charli T