I so seldom have to get rid of hazardous waste that when it comes time to do it, I forget where to go and what to do and what is even considered Household Hazardous Waste (HHW). 

If you're like me, here's the run down. 

Paints, pesticides, propane tanks, batteries, syringes, used motor oil and many cleaning products are just some examples of household hazardous wastes.  Anything with a 'toxic', 'poisonous' or 'corrosive' symbol on it is also HHW.  These items contain toxic ingredients and should be used and disposed of with caution. Do not place out for regular garbage pick-up. Never pour motor oil, paints or solvents down your drain or into sewers.

FYI The Home Depot now has a nation-wide paint-can, battery and CFL bulb recovery program.  Just bring these items in and leave them at the drop off area.

You know those compact fluorescent bulbs (and tubes) you use to conserve energy, they are also to be disposed of at these HHW areas.  Although they aren't 'legally' considered a HHW, they do contain small amounts of mercury and other heavy metals and therefore shouldn't be thrown in the trash.  The city of Toronto sends them to a recycler in Kitchener where the materials are seperated and reused.

Most municipalities have a handfull of HHW days organized throughout the year.  Call your municipal office or surf their website to find out when the next one is.

In Toronto, here are your options for disposing of your HHW:

Ever wonder why the three Rs are listed the way they are?  Is it because it's the order that rolls of the tongue best? No a little more thought (or strong coincidence) went into it, the three Rs are listed from best positive environmental impact to least. Recycling is great, but we should all reduce and reuse first... here's why.

Reduce: The most environmentally friendly product is the one you didn't buy.  We need to start exercising conservation more and stop buying things we don't actually need. (Also See: 'Energy Efficiency vs. Conservation' & 'Stuff!')

Reuse: Sometimes you need to buy things, granted. But try to at least make it something you'll have for awhile. It seems like everything is replaceable now -- disposable floor sweepers, mops, toilet cleaners, face-cloths, and diapers. While they are convenient, look at how saving a few minutes harms our planet. Nobody's time is worth that much.  If we're serious about cleaning up the planet let's all pick up a good old, reliable, reusable broom. (And say NO to Swiffer!)

Recycle: It's last on the list for a reason! Recycling beats the heck out of sending things to a landfill but it's still big business and an industry that creates waste, uses clean water and consumes fossil-fuels and electricity. Lugging all that old plastic and metal around and then making it into new plastic and metal sends tons of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere every day.

The three Rs are a great tool to teach anybody how to live greener.  But from now on, let's put them to use as they were meant to be used to achieve the highest positive impact on the environment.  Reduce, Reuse & Recycle.  

Trying to reduce your paper consumption?  Here's an easy way to make a difference; and if you do your banking online you're on the right track but keep going with it!

Most of Canada's major financial institutions will stop sending you monthly account statements, summaries and other notices through the mail.  All it takes is a call placed to your banking institution to tell them you want to go paperless. 

Many utility companies, phone, cable and internet providers, credit card companies and other bill-senders will happily stop sending you paper mail; less expense for them.  All it takes is a call to find out if paperless service is offered and if it isn't, why not suggest that they start.

Think of everything that goes into making paper... even recycled paper is an industry that requires large amounts of water and energy to produce a product.  Why not eliminate the need for all this paper in the first place.  Most of us don't even look at our bank statements or bills anyway.