As a home organizer I often get asked which items can be safely tossed in the trash. Most everyday items can be considered normal household waste. However, it’s important to know which common household items can’t be disposed of in the regular trash, whether due to specific regulations or just concerns about environmental impact.
Here are five items that most likely will need an extra disposal step. Want more help recycling?Earth 911is a good resource to help you search for a hazardous waste center near you.Hereis an example of my community’s hazardous waste events. Google your own town’s guidelines and local facilities.
Medical Waste (including needles and prescription medications)
Flushing medications down the toilet or drain can introduce harmful chemicals into water systems. Here is a link to the FDA’s guide on how to safely dispose of medical waste. You can utilize the government’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day or your community’s drop off kiosk. Some pharmacies even have on-site boxes.
Paint
It depends on the type of paint and its consistency. Hardened paint can be disposed of in the trash. However wet oil based paints are considered flammable and toxic to humans and the environment. Don’t pour it down the drain or put it in your trash can. Most towns have a municipal paint collection program. But if you can’t wait, the following organization offers hazardous waste services to the public for a fee, New England Disposal Technologies (NEDT).
If you can’t donate latex paint to a local organization, most can be thrown away safely if dry or hardened with cat litter, sand, sawdust or paint hardener. You can throw away empty aerosol cans, but full ones must be taken to a hazardous waste collection site.
Phones and Other Electronics
In most places it is illegal to throw away computers and other electronics. Computers, smartphones, old televisions, and tablets, often contain hazardous toxins that can seep into the soil and water, posing a serious environmental threat. Drop them off or schedule pickup through your local electronic waste recycling center. You can also drop them off at participating retailers like Best Buy or Staples. Just make sure you wipe your data clean first!
Light Bulbs
Recycling light bulbs gives their components a new life, instead of adding them to a landfill where they will sit for years. Your local waste collection agency will be able to tell you recycling options available. In addition, many hardware stores and big box retailers, like Home Depot and Lowes, also take them back for proper recycling.
Batteries
Most batteries should not go in a waste or recycling bin. Instead drop them off in a hazardous waste collection location, since some contain toxic substances which can contaminate soil and groundwater when they break down. Other batteries, like lithium-ion, are highly flammable and are especially dangerous when sent to landfills. Here is a good breakdown from the EPA as to which you need to be extra careful tossing and a resource that finds options in your community.