​Cut to 2016.
The electronic and home appliances’ industry made a whooping 98.78 billion U.S. dollars in sales. Why is this fact important? It’s because home appliances make up the bulk of waste discarded every year by Americans.

​In recycling terms, home appliances are also known as white goods. These include all your big household appliances such as refrigerators, washing machines, television sets, computers, air conditioners, etc.

​The reason they are referred to as white goods is because historically, these appliances were coated with white enamel paint. Now, however, they come in all different kinds of colors and finishes and also pose an ever-growing threat to the environment.
Your newly minted appliances though may not be as harmful as your old ones. Thanks to the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s laws and regulations, a lot of the newer appliances are built to be environmentally-friendly. 

​Some old appliances and their various dials and switches contain large amounts of mercury. Not only is this a highly toxic substance for human beings directly, but mercury is also an environmental pollutant. It can bioaccumulate –organisms on top of the food chain have a higher concentration of the chemical than the smaller organisms they consume that contained even traces of mercury.
​

​Some of the even older versions of modern appliances used to be lined with asbestos. At that point in time, asbestos was cheap and science hadn’t discovered how hazardous it actually was. Asbestos is a dangerous carcinogen (cancer-causing substance) and as such its use is now properly regulated.

​Refrigerants or coolants found in air conditioners, refrigerators and freezers are dangerous greenhouse gases. They contain Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) and Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) which when released into the atmosphere lead directly to the destruction of the ozone layer. 

​Rather than letting these old appliances clutter your household, you can choose to recycle them. Or simply let your local waste disposal companies handle it for you.
How is that achieved?
 Waste disposal companies in Phoenix get rid of your old appliances in a safe and responsible manner. They visit your place to collect these out-of-order white goods and take them where they can be properly dismantled. 

Do you know that your house is potentially filled with a large amount of hazardous waste?
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, 1.6 million tons of household hazardous waste is generated by Americans every year, with an average house having as much as 100 pounds of hazardous waste.
In view of this fact, there are high chances that your house also has a lot of hazardous waste materials lying in your basement, garage, and storage closets.

What is Household Hazardous Waste?​
The EPA defines household hazardous waste as products or items that are toxic, corrosive, reactive, flammable, combustible, or explosive

Common Household Hazardous Items
The hazardous items that are found in almost every home include:

• Batteries
• Aerosols
• Paints, oil, and varnish
• Automotive products
• Thermometers, thermostats, mirrors, or any other items that contain mercury
• Household cleaners and pesticides
• Lawn fertilizers

Improper Disposal of Hazardous Waste Is Dangerous
Have you been making the mistake of throwing your household hazardous waste with your regular trash? If yes, then you are not only damaging the environment, but also increasing health risks for yourself as well as others.
While you are not legally entitled to separate hazardous items from your regular trash, you can do yourself and others a huge favor by handing over these potentially dangerous items to recycle centers or to a professional junk removal company.  
This is because the toxic chemicals found in these items can pollute the soil and air. When poured down the drains (like many people do with leftover cleaners), they can contaminate sanitary systems and septic tanks, which can then pose health risks to sanitation workers.
One of the major reasons for improper disposal of hazardous waste is that its dangers do not immediately become obvious. But, we need to understand that they cause lasting damage to our environment and pose serious risks to not only humans, but to all living beings.

What You Can Do To Reduce The Effects Of Household Hazardous Waste
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, there are two ways to deal with the dangers household hazardous wastes pose:

• To reduce their usage and opt for healthier and safer alternatives
• To dispose them off properly

For proper disposal, make sure to not throw them in your regular trash. Always hand over the hazardous waste items to a reliable junk removal service because they not only have the equipment to recycle, but also know the right disposal methods for different types of junk.
To get the best Junk Removal Service in Phoenix, AZ, at the best rates, call Happy Junk Removal.
Summary
Household hazardous wastes pose serious environmental concerns and risks to all living beings. The Environmental Protection Agency recommends reducing their usage and properly disposing off the hazardous waste items to mitigate the risks.