Help Customers Dispose Of Their “Mystery Shelf” With Interactive Map

FAIRFAX, Va. — Whether from a clogged drain, ant issues in the kitchen or a patch of crabgrass in the yard, customers tend to accumulate bottles of expired, half-used do-it-yourself products and homemade remedies on a mystery shelf in their basement, garage or shed.

It is well known within the industry that this household hazardous waste (HHW) cannot be poured down a drain or thrown away in the weekly trash; doing so can contaminate water and soil while also creating potential landfill buildup and pollution. However, many homeowners are just beginning to fully realize this disposal issue and have only recently begun to seek information on proper HHW disposal in an effort to be more environmentally sensitive.

To meet this growing need of the industry’s consumer base, the Professional Pest Management Alliance (PPMA) has developed an interactive household hazardous waste (HHW) disposal map for www.pestworld.org. By clicking on the state in which they live (or simply using the drop-down menu), homeowners can find the correct department within their state that addresses HHW as well as a departmental Web site URL and direct phone number for the state office. Eventually, this web site will allow homeowners to ascertain county level information regarding HHW Disposal.

Each April, the industry honors National Pest Management and PPMA provides new tools and marketing ideas for individual pest control companies to use in their consumer outreach. According to PPMA Executive Director Missy Henriksen, PPMA’s consumer research has shown homeowner’s appreciation of proactive pest professionals. “Often pest control operators bump into this shelf while conducting an inspection or performing a treatment. Now, they can now proactively recommend a centralized database of proper disposal methods to their customers.”

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the average American home can accumulate as much as 100 pounds of HHW in the basement, garage, shed and storage closets. The HHW disposal map on www.pestworld.org also provides a comprehensive list of HHW items that need to be specially disposed of by homeowners including: air fresheners, batteries, drain opener, oven cleaner, insecticides and flea collars.

“This new online resource allows NPMA members to continue and reinforce PPMA’s consumer mission of branding the industry as ‘protectors of public health and property,” Henriksen said.

To view PPMA’s newly developed consumer Web resource on Household Hazardous Waste Disposal, visit: http://www.pestworld.com/For-Consumers/Household-Hazardous-Waste-HHW-Disposal-Map.