Hazardous waste may be dangerous to health or the environment because of its chemical or some other property. If a package has an orange square-shaped warning symbol, the product is considered hazardous waste. However, the warning symbol is not used on all products such as thermometers containing mercury. Never mix hazardous waste with other wastes.
Municipalities arrange for the collection of hazardous waste from households. Your municipal waste management authority can provide information about the locations and service hours.
• Keep different types of hazardous waste separate.
• Do not release hazardous waste to the nature.
• It is prohibited to dilute hazardous wastes or mix them with other substances or other types of waste.
• Carefully study the instructions for handling the products.
• To prevent the generation of waste, only purchase the quantity that you need.
• Try to replace a product with a less harmful one (for example, water-dilutable instead of solvent-dilutable paint).
• Store the product according to the instructions in order to prevent deterioration.
• The sales package is usually suitable for use as product packaging also after the product has become hazardous waste. Write “waste” on the packaging to identify it.
• If you move a substance that is considered hazardous waste out of its sales package, mark the new package with information about the contents.
• Never use food packages to store hazardous wastes.
• Do not store hazardous wastes for excessively long periods as they cause fire and health hazards.
Hazardous waste includes
• Waste containing mercury: fluorescent tubes, energy-saving bulbs, mercury thermometers.
• Paints, varnishes, glues and solvents: turpentine, thinner, acetone, nail polish and nail polish remover.
• Oily waste: engine and transmission oils, oil filters, oil-filled shock absorbers, cleaning cotton.
• Automotive lead, acid and dry batteries.
• Batteries: batteries used in small equipment.
• Mobile phone batteries.
• Printer ink and toner cartridges.
• Brake, radiator and clutch fluids.
• Aerosol products such as hair spray cans.
• Acids and alkalis such as strong cleaning agents.
• Pesticides: plant protectants and other pesticides.
• Refrigerators and freezers.
• Impregnated wood and impregnating agents.
• Waste from electric and electronic equipment such as IT waste, monitors and televisions.
• Equipment containing hazardous waste, such as a rechargeable electric toothbrush or electronic thermometer.
Take hazardous waste to a pharmacy or hazardous waste collection point:
• Broken mercury thermometers separately, well-packaged.
• Needles and syringes separately packed in a way that prevents injury when handling.
• Expired and excess medicines: products containing iodine (such as Betadine) separately packed (medicines can also be sorted by the pharmacy).
Contact the police about the following:
• Explosives such as ammunition, expired distress rockets, as well as any fireworks that have been found or are broken.