July 1998

Q Do you know what happens when you forget to deface the hazard warning labels on bottles intended for the recycling bins or trash?

A Housekeeping or recycling workers naturally assume that hazardous materials are present and they do not remove the material to the intended receptacle. In the worst case, when intact labels are not detected until the material reaches the landfill or recycling center, the entire load may be rejected for fear that hazardous substances are present. The recycling crew has reported finding an increased number of bottles bearing intact labels in the Tech recycling bins. Please remember to properly deface all hazard warning labels before placing materials into the bins. Bottles should be rinsed and free of any hazardous residues as well. The same applies to bottles intended for the trash.