Aerosol Sprays: Aerosol sprays can contribute to solid waste problems. Aerosol that are full or partially full are classified as household hazardous waste. Empty spray cans may be placed out with your regular garbage. Air fresheners: Ventilate or leave an open box of baking soda in refrigerator and closets. Leave a dish of vinegar in the room to remove cooking odours etc. Health, beauty and cleaning products: Look for non-aerosol or refillable pump sprays instead.

Appliances: Avoid gimmicks. Only buy an appliance if you really need it. Buy a good quality appliance that will last for many years. Repair appliances whenever possible. Check the yellow pages for appliance repair shops. Read and understand all instructions before operating an appliance or item of equipment. 35% to 40% of all appliances that fail to function as intended do so because of mishandling, misuse, or incompetence of the user. A further 10% of small electronic appliances end up irreparable as a result of neglect or omission to renew back-up batteries in a timely and preplanned manner. As a result of this, these items arrive in the dump many years ahead of time. If you no longer need an appliance that is in good working order, give it or sell it to someone who can use it. A garage sale, a notice posted at your grocery store or a classified ad in the newspaper will help you find a buyer. You can donate used appliances, that are in good working condition, to a charitable organization. If an appliance cannot be repaired you may be able to recycle it. Large appliances are made from valuable natural resources that should not be wasted. Some appliances such as refrigerators and air conditioners contain coolants that contribute to the destruction of the ozone layer and should not be disposed of in landfill sites.

Art supplies: Before you settle down to create your masterpiece, first find out what materials are in your paints, inks and glues. Many art and craft materials contain toxic ingredients, such as lead, copper sulphate and mercury. Look for less toxic alternatives. Surplus stocks may be donated to theater groups.

Batteries: Buy solar-powered items available at most outlets or environmentally-friendly stores. Use AC/DC adapter instead of batteries whenever possible. Use rechargeable batteries to save money and our environment. One charger can charge many different sizes of batteries.

Vehicle Exhaust Emissions: Refrain from the use of the diesel engine which is a major source of pollution on the roads of T&T. The diesel is less efficient than the conventional engine and an attempt to address this deficiency could result in the use of excessively rich mixture settings, with the consequent increase in atmospheric pollution.

Vehicle Engine Oil Consumption: Engine oil consumption should be carefully monitored to ensure that no more than 1.5 litres of oil replenishment is required between scheduled oil changes. Quantities greater than this could indicate an external oil leak or excessive engine wear. Excessive wear would result in bluish smoke emissions from the exhaust pipe during high power or acceleration.

Car Batteries: Contain lead and sulphuric acid. They should not end up in landfill sites. Battery manufacturers can recycle the lead, sulphuric acid and plastic casing. When you buy a new battery deal with an organization that accepts the old battery for recycling or proper disposal action.

Used Books: Borrow books from a public library or from friends. Buy used books. Many used book stores buy old books providing they are in good condition. Charitable organisations will make use of or resell used books. Hospitals, senior citizens' homes, community centres and libraries often accept old books. Call your local library or school library (elementary, secondary, college and university) to see if they need your used text books.   Solid Waste Management Recycle large quantities of books that are of the same size and that are delivered to them. They will pick up large quantities of office waste paper by arrangement. small amounts must be dropped off.

Cardboard: What is corrugated cardboard? It's the kind with a rippled inner layer. It is usually used for large appliances, furniture and stereo boxes. Industries, restaurants and stores produce large quantities of corrugated cardboard. Corrugated cardboard can easily be recycled to make new cardboard. By recycling our own corrugated cardboard, we can reduce our need to import this material. Ironically, thousands of tons of cardboard needlessly go to landfill sites every year. By recycling corrugated cardboard, we could conserve landfill space. Waste Disposal Ltd. Has embarked on a collection and recycling campaign. They will be sending a truck in your area to collect cardboard boxes and newspapers for recycling. Put newspapers in a cardboard box, tie with string, and place for collection at the designated place on the designated days in your area. (Tel 625-6746/5546/7 FAX 625-6747)

Christmas Trees: Reduce Decorate a large house plant or a special tree outside. A small potted tree can be used indoors over the holiday season and then planted in the garden afterwards. Reuse Artificial trees are made of non-renewable natural resources and will ultimately end up requiring disposal but if well cared for, they may be used for many years.

Cleaning Products: Keeping a clean home and clothes should not be done at the expense of the environment. Many commercial cleaners are caustic and corrosive and may cause severe eye and skin damage. Some cleaners are poisonous. Always read labels carefully.       Never mix chlorine bleach with ammonia, acids or toilet bowl cleaners. Toxic fumes are produced.   Refrain from using muriatic (hydrochloric) acid as a cleaning fluid for toilet bowls. This material is extremely dangerous and has no place in the home.         Switch to safer, non-toxic alternatives for cleaning homes and clothes where possible. Products that are gentler on the environment are now available in many grocery stores.   Alternatives All-purpose abrasive cleaner: Combine 2 parts borax and 1 part baking soda or washing soda. Store in a container with holes punched on top to create a shaker and label it accordingly. Sprinkle on surface and scrub with a damp cloth. All-purpose liquid cleaner: Stir to melt 15 ml. soap flakes, 30 ml. borax and 5 ml. lime juice or vinegar in 1 litre of hot water. Make a stronger solution for tougher cleaning jobs. Apply to surface. Rinse. Laundry soap: Mix together 250 ml. soap flakes, 125 ml. washing soda, 125 ml. borax. Store in a properly labelled container. Measure 125 ml. of soap mixture and add to water in your washing machine before adding clothes. Use your regular wash setting and rinse in cold water. Adding vinegar to your rinse cycle will help to remove any soap residue and soften clothes.

Clothing: Buy good quality clothing that will last. When styles change, try to alter the piece of clothing rather than discard it. Clothing you no longer need or use can be sold or donated to a charitable organisation. When donating clothing : Clothing should be clean and in good condition. Items that go together, such as shoes and socks, should be tied or pinned together.

Commercial Waste: Reducing the amount of waste your company throws out can actually save money and also help the environment. Recycle all paper items such as envelopes, writing paper, computer paper boxes and newspapers. When printing or copying use both sides of the paper where possible. Keep a check on all other recycling projects which may be started and try to support these.

Diapers: Disposable diapers account for about 3% of all solid waste. It is estimated that a baby uses approximately 9000 disposable diapers, by the time he or she is toilet trained. The plastic lining is made from a non-renewable resource. The absorbent layer is made of wood pulp from trees that have taken years to grow. It is estimated that 1412 trees are required to manufacture 1 million disposable diapers.       In T&T the extensive use of these diapers is of particular concern to the environmentalist and health conscious individuals because of the dirty and insensitive manner in which the disposal takes place - in streams, rivers, drains, beaches, parks, roadways and even on our public transport vehicles.         Cotton diapers can be used over and over again. They are made from cotton - a crop that is grown every year. When they finally end up in the landfill, cotton diapers decompose in much less time than do disposables. Cotton diapers with velcro tabs are also convenient to use. Reintroduction of the cotton diaper could also have a positive effect on population control. Because it is not possible to recycle your used disposable diapers, please take time to deposit the contents of disposable diapers in a toilet before throwing them out. Landfill sites are not designed to accept human excrement and the pathogens it can carry. When excrement goes into the toilet, it ends up in the sewerage treatment plant where it can be properly treated.  Each 'loaded' disposable diaper contains a delectable meal for the many stray dogs around this country. The shredded remains strewn about our pavements, gutters and roadways need no further emphasis.

Disposable Products: It is almost impossible to go through the day without using disposable products and packaging. Every day we bury valuable resources, that had a useful life of only a few minutes, in our landfill sites. First examine your buying habits. Do you buy good quality long lasting products? Do you look for alternatives to throwaway items? Do you prefer items in returnable, recyclable or minimal packaging? Do you really need a disposable bag, straw, napkin or cutlery? Use reusable before disposable. It's simple. At work, only use reusable coffee mugs, napkins and cutlery. Bring your own mug to the workplace if possible.

Egg Cartons: Most egg cartons available today are made of molded pulp and are recyclable. Cartons made of polystyrene plastic should be avoided. Many groups such as farmers markets, food banks and day care centres, often accept egg cartons.

Electronics: Many electronic items such as computers, radios and stereos, can be repaired and donated to a needy organization, school or individual.

Food: On average we throw away 20% of the food we buy. This is not necessarily bad food or plate scrapings, but food that never even reaches our plates. Use food when it is fresh. Buy only what you can use. Most food wastes can be composted. It is unfortunate that many food products, in particular canned foods, are not always available in small or smaller containers. As a result of this much of the foodstuff imported into this country ends up in landfills. Because of marketing strategies we sometimes are forced to buy larger quantities than required.       The saying 'never go into the supermarket when you are hungry' holds true and can save you dollars.

Food and Yard Waste: Food waste, such as food and vegetable peelings, egg shells, coffee grounds and yard waste, are not garbage. All are a natural and renewal resource. In fact, a large proportion of your household waste is made up of food waste. If and where possible, compost it and turn it into a nutrient-rich soil conditioner for your lawn, garden and house plants. Whether you're a master gardener or someone who pokes away at the lawn, you can reap the benefits of composting at home. (see appendix 1)       An opportunity exists in this country for an entrepreneur to manufacture composting bins for this purpose.

Furniture: Instead of purchasing new furniture, try to refinish or recover your existing furniture. Many charitable organisations can make good use of furniture you no longer need. Most organisations want items in good condition only, but some may repair furniture.

Glass: In order to reduce the amount of glass you dispose of in your home, purchase long-lasting halogen fluorescent and compact fluorescent bulbs. Purchase soft drinks in glass returnable bottles rather than the plastic variety. It is recommended that a mandatory deposit charge be placed on all plastic soft drink bottles in order to encourage the return to a redemption centre. The following materials CANNOT be recycled because they have different chemical compositions than the glass used to make bottles and jars: Chinaware (e.g. plates, bowls, figurines), earthenware, porcelain (e.g. electrical insulators, sinks, toilet bowls etc), clay pots, Pyrex, drinking glasses, mirrors, light bulbs, window glass and crystal.

Grass Clippings: There are benefits to keeping your grass clippings close to home. Grass clippings contain nitrogen which should be reused on your lawn. Don't spend unnecessary time raking and bagging grass clippings. Leave them on the lawn where they belong. Only cut lawn when it is dry -- this prevents clumping of the clippings. Don't let your grass get too tall before cutting. Don't cut too short. Clippings less than 1 inch long can easily fall through the grass to the soil below to nurture your lawn. Make sure the lawnmower blade is sharp enough to produce finer clippings. If you get a new mower, get one that mulches the grass.

Home Renovation Materials: Before you build or renovate plan sizes to match dimensions of materials available. Check measurements before cutting materials. Buy nails, screws, etc. only in quantities required to do the job. Construction and demolition rubble should be placed in designated landfill area. Landfill area should be designated and planned prior to the commencement of construction.

Leaves: Leaves can be composted or used as a mulch around trees and shrubs in your garden. They hold in moisture, smother weeds, and eventually decompose adding organic material to the soil. (see appendix 1)

Paper and Plastic Bags: Instead of using paper bags for lunches, why not use a lunch box or reusable cloth bag? To eliminate as much waste as possible from your lunch, use storage containers for food and a thermal container for your beverages. To help reduce the cost and excess waste associated with brown paper bags, try to reuse the same bag as much as possible. Then, you're not only saving money but helping to save a valuable natural resource.

Magazines: Read your favourite magazine at a library or make use of the 'WEB' . Share magazines with friends. Donate magazines to hospitals, senior citizens' homes and schools or even to your local doctor's office.

Metal: At present there no mechanisms in place in T&T for the salvaging or recycling of metal cans. There are, however, many scrap metal dealers in the country who recycle steel, copper, and aluminium scrap metal parts. If you are getting rid of large quantities of metal you should contact local scrap metal dealers.

Medical Waste Systems: Needles that are incorrectly disposed of may harm sanitation workers and even animals. Depots have been setup at numerous drugstores to safely collect needles and lancets. Proper plastic collection containers are available. These provide a safe means of storing needles in the home and on the way to the depot.

Motor Oil and Other Auto Products: Most automotive products contain hazardous chemicals. In addition to the additives normally found in motor oils, used oil may have picked up lead and other toxic metals as it traveled through the motor. Oil is a non-renewable resource that can be recycled. Recycled motor oil is as good as new. It is cleaned, filtered and new additives are introduced. In Trinidad a system of collection is being introduced by NP through which used lubricating oil is collected at certain service stations around the island and sent to Petrotrin at Point-a Pierre for recycling. At this stage the full details of the organization are not known. As more information is received you will be informed accordingly. For the moment ensure that your engine oil is changed by a recognized firm. Avoid the wayside mechanic. Used motor oil contains toxic impurities such as lead and cadmium and must never be deposited down the drain or in storm sewers. A small amount of oil can contaminate a large amount of water.       Radiator anti-freeze/coolant is poisonous. Pets or humans accidentally drinking coolant could be killed.

Paints and Solvents: Oil-based paints and paint thinners contain solvents that are flammable and evaporate quickly (therefore you breathe the fumes). Many paints contain heavy metals such as cadmium. Old paints contain lead. Latex paints still contain some toxic substances, but don't require solvent thinners. Buy only as much as you need to do the job. When possible, use up paints completely or share with friends. Small quantities of the same type of paint may be nixed together and used on non-priority jobs.

Papers: To maximize the use of fine paper whether in the home or office, make certain that paper is never discarded or sent for recycling until both sides of each sheet are used. Use the back of used envelopes for shopping lists. Purchase recycled paper products as often as possible.  Don't throw out computer paper, letterhead, photocopy paper, or bond stock - you're throwing out a valuable resource. Fine paper, as these types of paper are called, can be recycled.

Newspapers: House to house newspaper collection has recently been introduced in selected areas as a pilot project. Waste Disposal Limited has also recently introduced paper collection from many companies dealing in large quantities of paper. The Company also collects cardboard boxes for recycling.  Waste Disposal Limited. Tel: 625-6746/5546/7. Fax: 625-6747

Pesticides and Herbicides: Pesticides and Herbicides are poisonous and can cause damage to your skin, eyes and internal organs if improperly used. They could end up in the soil and drinking water when overused or disposed of improperly. Always follow instructions and don't allow run-off after application. (Refer to the section on dangerous chemicals in App.2) Pesticides and herbicides are often used because the soil itself is unhealthy. Chemical fertilizers and poisons kill the micro-organisms that keep things in check. Feed your soil with compost or manure for healthy plants.   Alternatives Flea rinse for pets: Add 125 mL. of fresh or dried rosemary to one litre of boiling water. Steep 20 minutes, strain and cool. Pour evenly over your pet and let fur air-dry to retain the herb residue. House plant insecticide: Wash leaves with a mild soapy water and rinse. Water plants with water in which you have been soaking onion trimmings. Plant a garlic bud in your pot with plants to deter aphids. Roach Killer: Seal cracks around cupboards and shelves. Set out a dish of equal parts baking soda and plaster of paris.

Plastics: There are benefits to using plastics, but we need to use them wisely. Plastics are made from petroleum, a non-renewable resource. They take many years to break down in landfill sites. If incinerated, hazardous chemicals may be produced. Get into the habit of bringing a bag with you when you go shopping. If you don't need a plastic bag, then don't take one. Buy high quality plastic products that don't break easily. Save your plastic containers and bags and use them again and again. They make great lunch and storage containers. Plastic trays and pots which were used to plant and grow flowers can be reused. When you are finished with these items, clean them and return them to the nursery where they were purchased

Sanitary Napkins: Disposable sanitary napkins have become a major waste management problem. They create an environmental problem. They should not be disposed of in the toilet. In addition to the waste associated with the sanitary product themselves, they also contribute to excessive packaging waste. Select a brand with the least amount of packaging.

Sports Equipment: There are several ways you can breathe new life into your used sports equipment. Have old equipment repaired if possible. You can then donate it to a non-profit group or private club.

Tyres: Old tyres take up permanent space in landfill areas People discard approximately one tyre per year. The use of tyres can be reduced by taking better care of them during their working life. Make sure that your tyre pressures are checked regularly to ensure that they wear evenly and so extend the life. Make sure that your automobile wheel alignment is checked regularly be a recognized dealer. Change tyres when the depth of tread reaches 1/10 of an inch. This will allow tyre to be reused after re-treading.

Toys and Games: When your child has grown out of his or her toys, donate them to the orphanage or day care centre. Toys to be donated should be clean and undamaged.

Other useful and novel suggestions for dealing with your trash and other household items which have reached the end of their useful life may be obtained on the web at the following URL: http://www.geocities.com/RainForest/5002/index.html or a copy may be obtained on request from the author.