Pollution Prevention

                       
                                                  April 2026 Conservation Connection                          
                                                                Pollution Prevention
                                                      Travis Luncan, Urban Technician
 
 
Pollution Prevention begins at home. Prior to the start of mowing season is a great time to review household chemical safe use and disposal. In this article we will look at proper handling of gasoline and engine oil.  It’s important to know how to safely handle and dispose of household hazardous chemicals to protect yourself and the environment.
 
Fuel and motor oil should be handled as household hazardous waste. These chemicals can pose a personal exposure risk or cause contamination of water resources from improper disposal. The place to start is with pollution prevention. Here are some things to consider with gasoline and other fuels.
 
Shelf-Life :          Gas will not keep forever so only buy what you need in the immediate future. At the end of the season be sure to use all gasoline or add the appropriate fuel stabilizer.

​Flammability:      Do not store fuel inside your home, keep fuel away from potential ignition sources. Gasoline has a flashpoint of -49°F, meaning it is very easy to ignite, even at low temperatures. 

Proper Container:      Not all plastics are made the same. Some will break down from contact with fuels. Only use an approved no spill or safety gas can with a secure lid and stable pour spout. Safety cans are a good storage option since they help prevent spills and have an internal flame prevention device. Get used to the operation of the safety can and relieve any pressure in the can prior to dispensing.

​Labelling:           Label cans properly to avoid any mix-ups. An example would be: 

Storage Conditions:     Store in a well-ventilated space. Temperature extremes or freezing can speed up how quickly gas goes bad. Keep gas cans out of heavy traffic areas. Also keep out of reach of children.

Disposal:           Minimize the amount you keep on hand to reduce disposal. Fuel stabilizer helps to keep gasoline from going bad.
For lists of liquid hazardous waste collectors, check the Warren County Solid Waste Management District website:
              https://www.warrencountyohio.gov/SolidWaste/ 
or call (513) 695-2980 for specific questions

​Spill Cleanup:       Safety First! Wear safety goggles and gloves. Open windows to add ventilation if spill occurred indoors. Soak up spill with absorbent pads or kitty litter. Allow sorbent to dry completely then dispose of by double bagging in plastic garbage bag.