What You Can Do

Washington State Department of Ecology

What can I do to keep toxics out of...

My home?

Toxic Free Tips - Information about hazardous substances in our homes, schools, work places and communities.

Recycling – Many products that contain toxic substances are recyclable. Recycling these products helps keep these substances out of our environment. Search for recycling opportunities in your neighborhood.

Compact fluorescent light bulbs - Compact fluorescent light bulbs contain mercury. They need to be recycled properly. Be careful when cleaning up broken bulbs.

Integrated Pest Management - Lean more about smart use of chemicals to control insect pests.

Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention - Very small amounts of lead can hurt your child. Find out more from the Washington Department of Health about preventing childhood lead poisoning.

My food?

Fish Advisories - Find out from the Washington Department of Health which fish are safe to eat.

The air?

Woodstove Information - Information about which wood burning devices are legal in Washington, why wood smoke is harmful to health, and how to reduce the smoke from your wood burning device.

Outdoor burning - Burning garbage is illegal in Washington, and burning vegetation is banned in some areas. Learn about composting as an alternative to burning.

Clean Cars 2009 - Learn what Washington's new clean car law means to you.

The land?

Natural Yard Care (pdf) - Learn how to avoid using toxic chemicals in your yard.

Dirt Alert! - Ecology’s soil safety program for the Tacoma Smelter Plume, protecting our children from exposure to lead and arsenic.

The water?

Car Washing - Ways to wash cars and still keep soapy water from washing into storm drains.

Clean Green Boating - Boat owners play an important role in protecting water quality while they enjoy the water and when they repair and maintain their investment.

Unwanted Medicine Return Program - Return old drugs for proper disposal so they don’t damage aquatic life and pollute drinking water.