| Arsenic - (As) |
A poisonous element. Arsenic is used in bug killers, weed killers, and treated wood. |
| Asthma |
A chronic respiratory disease, often triggered by allergies. People with asthma have sudden attacks. The attacks cause difficulty breathing, chest pain, and coughing. |
| Benzene - (C6H6) |
A colorless, flammable, liquid. Benzene is a hydrocarbon made from petroleum products (gasoline) and used to make chemical products, including DDT, detergents, bug killers, and motor fuels. |
| Cadmium - (Cd) |
A soft, white, metallic element used in paint, batteries, and in rust proofing. Can be poisonous to humans. |
| Carbon Monoxide - (CO) |
A colorless, odorless, poisonous gas formed by the incomplete burning of materials containing carbon. CO binds to hemoglobin in the blood stream and prevents oxygen (O2) from getting to the brain. |
| Carcinogens |
Something that may cause the disease of cancer to form. |
| Combustible |
Something that can be set on fire or something that burns easily. |
| Composting |
A mixture of decaying plant matter placed into a bin. The bin can contain leaves, food scraps or garden waste. After a short time, the compost may be used to provide nutrients to plants in a garden. |
| Chlorine - (Cl) |
An irritating, greenish-yellow gas. Used to purify water, disinfect, and a bleach paper to make it white. |
| Chromium - (Cr) |
A gray metallic element that does not tarnish and corrode. It is used to make stainless steel, and as a color in glass. Can be harmful to humans if breathed in. |
| Dioxin and Furans |
Hydrocarbons that can cause cancer in humans. Found in weed killers and petroleum products. |
| Hemoglobin |
Transports oxygen throughout the human body. |
| Hydrocarbon |
A compound, such as benzene, that contains only the elements carbon (C) and hydrogen (H). These compounds can make people very ill. |
| Lead - (Pb) |
A soft metallic element used in ceramics, car batteries, bullets, and paints. Eating lead can harm children, by causing neurological problems and can cause death. |
| Neurological |
The study of the nervous system, including the brain and nerves. |
| Particulate Matter |
Small particles or liquid droplets suspended in the air. Considered a pollutant. May cause people to cough if breathed in. |
| Recycle |
Physically or chemically changing an item into a new item for reuse. Example: recycling soda cans. |
| Reduce |
Using less to save natural resources, and produce less waste. Example: buying in bulk. |
| Respiratory/Respiratory System |
A system of organs used in breathing. Consists of the lungs, nose, mouth and throat. |
| Reuse |
Finding another use, or another person to use an item without throwing it out. Example: Giving clothes you have grown out of to a friend |
| Vermicomposting |
Composting with worms. Worms are kept in a bin with shredded paper or other bedding. You feed them kitchen waste. They digest the waste and bedding then excrete nutrient-rich castings. After a few months, the castings combined with the well-decomposed bedding, become vermicompost -- one of the richest soil improvements around. Use it in your garden! |
| Zinc - (Zn) |
A white, metallic element. It is used to form brass, bronze, and nickel silver, for electric fuses, roofing, gutters, and various household objects. |
| #1 & #2 plastics |
Look for a triangle on the bottom of the plastic container. Inside that triangle there should be a number. #1 and #2 plastics are required to be recycled in Wisconsin. #1 PETE bottles and jugs which contained beverages, juice, shampoo, mouthwash, salad dressing, or water, etc. #2 HDPE opaque and colored bottles and jugs which contained water, milk, juice, laundry detergent, bleach, shampoo, or fabric softener. |
| #3 through #7 plastics |
Look for a triangle on the bottom of the plastic container. Inside that triangle there should be a number. #3 through #7 plastics are not required to be recycled in Wisconsin, but should be if such recycling is available in your area. If recycling of #3 through #7 plastics is not available in your area, you may send these items to the landfill. #3 PVC pipes and shrink-wrap. #4 LDPE dry cleaning bags and produce bags. #5 PP drinking straws. #6 PS styrofoam cups, peanuts, and to go containers. #7 OTHER, food containers. |
