When we talk about doing something about hazardous waste at the local level, our focus is on the household variety. The best way to diminish amounts of HHW that need disposal is to promote the use of alternative products. A good rule of thumb is to use whatever will do the job without overdoing the job. Unlike paper bags, most products of this sort can clearly be used only once. This is especially beneficial if the new owner now doesn t need to obtain the same thing elsewhere.
Some products are obsolete because they are too dangerous.
DDT and other pesticides provide a good example. They are dangerous to release into the environment, but are also ingredients with important uses for industry. An example is old motor oil. It is commonly viewed as a waste, but can be reused as fuel or recycled by re-refining it for use as a lubricant. Industries can play a vital role in reducing hazardous substance consumption.