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While fertilizers may have rescued your garden or lawn from pests and weeds, such chemicals cannot be simply tossed away into the trash after you’re finished with them. Except for certified organic fertilizers, most garden chemicals contain harmful substances. These include potassium, phosphorous and nitrogen compounds which can contaminate the sewage system, water bodies and soil.
As a result, you must ensure that fertilizer disposal is done safely and ethically.
Complications of Fertilizer Disposal
There are several complications associated with fertilizer disposal, as discussed below:
- Most chemical or biosolid fertilizers contain hazardous chemicals. If leaked into the water or soil, they pose a huge health risk to humans and animals.
- Phosphorous can encourage the growth of algae in water bodies. This may end up killing fish and destabilizing entire aquatic ecosystems. Hence, such fertilizers are rightly classified under hazardous household waste (HHW).
- Moreover, one can get penalized and face other legal consequences for not complying with the waste disposal regulations set by the state authorities.
- Also, since fertilizers contain such hazardous compounds they cannot be recycled or reused.
Recent research suggests that most of the applied fertilizers are not used by crops or the plants. Instead, they go to waste. Thus, it is imperative to educate oneself on how to dispose of fertilizers in the correct way.
How to Dispose of Fertilizers
Safe disposal of fertilizers can ensure that our planet remains habitable for future generations. So, if you have leftover or unused fertilizer, you can consider the following options.
1. Give it to Neighbors or Friends
An easy way to get rid of fertilizers is to simply give it to someone else who needs them. As long as the chemicals are not expired, your neighbors or friends can use it to beautify their lawns and backyards. You can also consider donating it or selling it online to interested parties.
2. Check the Label for Instructions
To comply with waste disposal regulations, most companies that manufacture fertilizers now include detailed instructions on their safe disposal on the packaging itself. Read the packaging carefully for directions on how to properly dispose of the substance.
3. Return it to a Garden Supply Store
If you have unused but unexpired fertilizer lying around the house, you can take it to a local garden supply shop. Or, take it to a small business and earn some store credit along the way.
4. Find a Hazardous Household Waste Disposal Facility
If the chemicals are expired or contaminated, drop it off at a hazardous waste disposal facility. Sometimes, there might be local hazardous household waste collection events organized in your neighborhood, so keep an eye out for those.
If the packaging doesn’t specify any clear instructions and there isn’t a HHW facility nearby, you should ideally contact a professional service, be it a lawn care company or a waste removal service such as Discount Dumpster on how to best proceed.
Proper Fertilizer Disposal is Important
Thus, proper disposal of fertilizers is of paramount importance. It ensures that our environment be it the local ecosystems or water supplies do not get otherwise contaminated and pose a sudden health hazard. By being conscientious about our waste production habits and committing to following all the laws and regulations when it comes to waste disposal, we can be responsible citizens and conserve the planet for the future.
Discount Dumpster Can Assist Your Disposal Efforts
A one-of-a-kind waste management company that prides itself on providing world-class service, Discount Dumpster is firmly committed to responsible waste disposal. As part of our services, we offer affordable rental containers in various sizes to suit a variety of job needs, with free pick-up and delivery, and a flexible rental period so that customers are in no hurry or pressure to fill up the dumpster.
In addition to accepting all kinds of household and construction waste, we also offer detailed guidance to customers looking to get rid of prohibited items, be it garden fertilizers or hazardous car parts. Simply call up our staff to get a no-obligation quote and get your urgent waste removal questions promptly answered!
Call Today for Responsible Waste Disposal Near You! - (888) 316-7010