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Doing Away With Mr. Yuck
The Newberg Graphic, May 2006
When the sun starts to shine on dirty windows and the mud turns to dust, its time to find non-toxic ways to clean the house. Not only are greener cleaners safer for your family and the environment, they can often be much cheaper. For instance, a box of baking soda can be used for scouring countertops, unclogging drains, or as a deodorizer. Hydrogen Peroxide can be used as a disinfectant in kitchens and bathrooms. White distilled vinegar removes soap scum, grease, and mineral deposits. Find recipes for non-toxic cleaners on the Metro website www.metro-region.org. Search the site using the key words "green cleaners".
If you don’t want to make your own household cleaners, look for non-toxic options on store shelves. When choosing any cleaning product, be sure to read the label. If it says "hazardous to humans and animals", it’s toxic. Danger, warning, caution, and poison are signal words required by the FDA to warn consumers of the toxicity of a product. Read the ingredient list, look for products that use plant-derived, non-petroleum based ingredients. These non-toxic cleaners are readily available and can be used to tackle even the toughest jobs.
What to do with toxic cleaners you found under the sink or in the garage? The best option is to use them safely until they are gone, and then replace them with non-toxic alternatives. If you have things you can’t use, bring them to Yamhill County’s Household Hazardous Waste event in May. This collection event accepts anything labeled as toxic, flammable, corrosive, reactive, infectious, or radioactive that can threaten personal health and safety. Things to look for in the garage include old gasoline, antifreeze, paint thinner, and latex or oil based paints and stains. Common hazardous wastes found in the home include oven cleaners; drain cleaners, mothballs, mercury thermometers, floor wax, and furniture polish. Don’t forget to bring the old weed killers, pool and spa chemicals, pesticides and fertilizers that may be collecting dust. The Hazardous Waste Event is held in McMinnville on May 20th from 8 am to 4 pm at the WOW Recovery Zone, 2200 NE Orchard Ave and in Newberg on May 21st from 10 am to 4 pm at the Newberg Transfer Station on 2904 S Wynooski Rd. If you have questions regarding the event, please call Yamhill County Solid Waste at 503-434-7445.
By Martha Hovis, Recycling Coordinator
Newberg Garbage and Recycling
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