In the trash? Down the drain? That’s a big no. How to dispose of nail polish safely.
Did you know that you shouldn’t throw nail polish in the trash. True story. It’s considered a dangerous liquid due to the chemicals in the formula, and going in the garbage is bad news because it can leak and leach into the groundwater supply through the soil. For most places across America, their drinking water comes from the groundwater. No one wants nail lacquer in their drinking water.
Same goes for putting it down the drain. Pouring it down the sink means it will eventually make its way to a river or ocean, harming wildlife and poisoning plants. Poor fishies. Thankfully there are safe ways to dispose of polish so you don’t harm the environment.
Polish disposal is a much bigger issue for salons than it is for you or I at home, but you can do the right thing and safely discard your old and unloved polish at a Safe Disposal Event. Call your city Mayor’s office and find out when the next event is – they are often seasonal. There are also year round safe disposal options if you can’t wait.
For our New York City readers, the spring 2014 safe disposal event is Sunday May 11 at Union Square North Plaza. You’ll be able to safely dispatch your nail polish, along with your old paint, electronics, unused medications, fluorescent light bulbs, and car products. Other dates in the five boroughs include Sunday May 4 at McCarren Park in Brooklyn, Saturday May 10 at Orchard Beach Parking Lot in the Bronx, and Saturday May 17 at Midland Beach Parking Lot, Staten Island.
