30 surprising things you should never put in garbage
Learn how to throw your batteries and broken glass the responsible way.
The basket of a man is not always the treasure of another man. While some worn or foreign household items really belong to a garbage dump, others - like unused medications or pieces of technology - are more complicated toto get rid of. In order to prevent your unwanted goods from harming people or the environment, you must make sure they are eliminated in the right way. So, to help you, we compiled a list of all the things you should never, never throw in the trash, with tips on what to do with them instead. And for more things to avoid, consult these13 things you should never hit the drain.
1 Rechargeable batteries
It's pivoting to check the type of batteries you start before throwing them into your trash. According to the Forest Service of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA),Rechargeable batteries Nickel-cadmium and lead-acid must be made to special facilities. (You can find a list of convivialityRecycling facilities Here.) Otherwise, "Regular alkaline, manganese and carbon zinc batteries are not considered hazardous waste and can be eliminated with ordinary garbage", according to the USDA.
2 Fluorescent bulbs
Notalready Throw your fluorescent lightbulbs in the garbage. According toAmerican environmental protection agency (EPA), fluorescent ampoules contain mercury that, when liberated in the environment, can make serious damage.
Instead, check out Earth911 to find a service that can help you recycle your old fluorescent bulbs. When recycled correctly, the materials that these bulbs are made of spring and metal glass - can be successfully gathered (and will not make any damage in the atmosphere). And for more items that you did not know, you can find a new life, discover23 things you had no idea that you could recycle.
3 Mercury thermometers
Similarly, if your thermometer is filled with mercury, you can not just throw it to the trash. The EPA warns that you should either "wait for aDangerous waste collection day"Or bring it" to a household dangerous collection center in a cardboard box ", depending on the services of your city proposes.
4 To paint
How to properly eliminate the paint depends on what the paint is made of. Latex-based paint should be eliminated at special waste removal sites, which you can locate using Earth911. As for oil-based paints, small quantities-emphasizesmall-How to be thrown with your household trash as long as they are mixed with an absorbent material that soak them. If you are dealing with a large amount of oil-based paint, you must contact a private entrepreneur to pick up your hiding place and get rid correctly. And for more ways to do the right thing, ditch these21 bad habits for the environment.
5 Lighter fluid
Because lighter liquid is a fuel, it is considered hazardous waste. As such, any undesirable kerosene must be eliminated to aInstallation of hazardous household waste where he will not hurt other humans or to the environment.
6 Engine oil
Like liquid lighter, the engine oil is flammable and therefore a dangerous waste. In addition to carrying this fluid to a hazardous waste installation, you can also bring it to a local automotive repair shop where it will be used to use.
7 Old laptops
I hope you now know that laptops should never go to the trash, seeing as possible toxic chemicals such as mercury, lead and chrome.
However, did you know that the staples make it easy toErase with old computers, whether they work or not? If your computer is always functional, you can enjoy the company.TECH PROGRAM Translation To get rid of your computer and make money in the process. And if your laptop is totally kaput, the store also offers aElectronic recycling program No charge for you.
8 Smartphones and tablets
Like laptops, your other pocket electronics may contain toxic substances. The good news? The electronic staple program is not limited to computers. If you have a mobile phone or tablet that you no longer use, you can bring it to staples and recycle it or exchange it in cash, depending on its condition. And for more good ideas, learn these21 ways to help the environment, starting now.
9 Unused drugs
When drugs are not arranged properly, they can end up in the water supply or even bad hands. Fortunately, the administration of the application of American drugs (DEA)National Take-Back of Prescription MedicinesEvents at the national level where you can have unused and unwanted prescriptions. And if you miss this event when it happens in your area, do not worry; Most municipalities have alsoControlled substance Public disposal location which are available to the public all year round.
That said, there issome ways to get rid of your medications at home. As long as they do not have specific elimination instructions listed, theFederal drug administration (FDA) Note that you can combine medicines with something new, such as cat litter or dirt. Then place the mixture in a plastic bag and discard it.
10 Knives
Although your knife is no longer for you, for security reasons, you should not just put it in your trash. Fortunately, there are many alternatives.
An option is to donate your unwanted knives to a local soup of the kitchen orthrift shop (As long as they accept them as donations). But if you are certain that your knife is no longer good atanybodyFind a scrap recycle in your area (most metro areas have one). If it's still not an option, you can alsocarefullyThrow your knife.Taste of the house suggests youjournal, cover it in cardboard or bulwrain, secure it with adhesive tape, then place it in a box and seal it with more strip. And for more useful content delivered directly into your inbox,Sign up for our daily newsletter.
11 Broken glass in bulk
With regard to disposal, glass and knives follow the same rules. Any object like this can be physically calculated, someone must be stored in something cushion before it is put under the trash. "TOEliminate broken glass, Seal it in a box or envelop it in several log sheets and place it in your garbage, "advises the Recycling Board of British Columbia.
12 Needles
Like knives and glass, a net needle should never be thrown vaguely into the trash or recycling. Ideally, you should get a basket of hazardous materials from your doctor's office where you can place used needles, then return the tray to the doctor.
For more information on regulating your condition for needle disposal, seeSafeeedDisposal.org's Interactive map.
13 Mail
Of course, you should recycle all your mail because it is, well, recyclable. However, this is not the only reason why this particular element does not belong to the trash. Due to all the valuable information contained in the letters of credit card companies, doctors etc.security company LifeLock notes that "your mail can be a valuable target foridentity thieves. "Connect and recycle your mail - even if it's spam.
14 Laundry
Of course, the best thing to do with additional laundry detergent is to use it. However, if you become allergic to your detergent or you can not stand its smell, you must pour the remaining liquid into the drain when the water is running. This is safer for the environment than to pour it in the trash, where it was likely to see in the soil andpolluting with toxic chemicals.
15 Hot oil
Hot oil should never just be poured into your trash, because it can stay stuck there and cause a major disorder. And if you throw it in the drain immediately after cooking, it could potentially cause sewer backups and damage your pipes. Instead, make sure you wait for the cooling oil, then pour it into a container to be thrown with the rest of your garbage.
16 Matches
Once you have used a match to turn on your child's birthday candles, do not just sell it to the trash. The matches can sparkle in the Recycle Bin if they should face a rough surface. Instead, make sure you soak all unwanted matches in cold water before throwing them away.
17 Hairdressing tools
According to a future without toxicity, electrical objectscontain harmful chemicals Like lead, chrome and cadmium that, when thrown, "can escape the products and contaminate the air."
Fortunately, "Curling irons, hairdryer and other similar haircuts can berecycled for their scrap Rather than threw, "Earth Notes911". Although these devices can not be put in the Curbside edge recycling bins, they are accepted anywhere the scrap is collected. "
18 Old clothes
Do you want to know what happens to the clothes you throw? According to the EPA, a tanking 10.5 million tonnes of textilesfinished in landfillsIn the United States in 2015, and that these batteries of clothing are not biodegradable, they end up contributing to environmental pollution. Fortunately, there is a small thing called textile recycling that avoids all that. IncludingGreenmarket Clothing Collection,Green Tree Textiles, andHelp on the planet All have collection boxes where you can deposit clothes to be recycled ecologically.
19 Water heater
According to Chittenden's solid waste district in Vermont, that your spatial heater can bethrottle Depends on what type is.
If your spatial heater is mainly made of plastic and does not contain any dangerous material, it can be removed next to your housewife. If heating is mainly made of metal without any dangerous fluid, you can bring it to a scrap center to be recycled. And if heatingIsContains hazardous materials, you will need to bring it to a hazardous waste facility to support safely.
20 Flags
Technically, the good way to have a ripped flag is to burn it and bury it. In fact, there is even a US flag code that was written in 1976 which indicates that "when [a flag] is in such a condition that it is no longer an adjusted display emblem, [IT] should bedestroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning. If and when you have to get rid of a flag, consult the veterans of the foreign wars guide onAppropriate hot flag here.
21 Ink cartridges
Do yourself a favor and do not throw your old ink cartridges. If you buy your ink or toner at staples, you can thenrecycle there, too much. In fact, you will get even $ 2 for each cartridge used that you are recycling at the store! Alternatively, you can also bring your cartridge to Costco and get itrecharged with ink For a fraction of what typical cartridge costs.
22 Ancarable
Although you are technicallycan Schlep Your refrigerator or tumble dryer down for Curbside's border pickup, which wants to quote such a device on the street one day of a month in bulk items are collected when there is a great way Easier to rid it? When you are at the store, buy the replacement template for yourancient, Ask a seller if they offer deletion services. Most companies will take unwanted objects from your hands - sometimes even for free!
23 Unpackaged mattress
Although you can also leave your mattress on the sidewalk for pickup, you will want to make sure that you cover it with a plastic bag before doing it, unless you want to deal with parasites and sanctions. The city of New York, for example, warns thatMattress left outdoors without plasticAttracting bed bugs and can lead to a fine of $ 100.
Once your mattress is fully covered and ready to go to greener pastures, you can call garbage collectors in your city (as long as they offer a bulk garbage collection), and they will have it accordingly.
24 Bicycle
Although youcan Throw your old bike, you should not. As life notes, there are a lot ofRecycling programs This can put the pieces of your old two-wheeled use. And even if your bike is broken, there are national charities that would be more than happy to take your old bike of your hands. In New York, Recycle A-Cyclingrenovate old bikes and gives them to the youth of the community. And in San Francisco, revolution of the pedalUses old bikes Teach young people how to build and repair bicycles. Discover Ibike for exhaustionList of charities who accept Nationwide bicycles.
25 Used tools
Of course, you can throw these old shovels and stockings - but if you did it, it would essentially look like throwing money! First, savings stores like Goodwill and the Salvation Army are generally more than happy to take these tools with your hands and put them on their shelves, provided they are always in a somewhat decent condition. And secondly, the Earth911 notes that "scrap is one of the mostvaluable products that you can recycle. "
26 Old pots and pans
"Most pots and pots aremetal and are therefore recyclable"Note the culinary team of pots and kitchen pots from Utensware." However, most curbs' recycling programs will not accept them. "
So, what is a leader when their cookware is scratched and unusable? Bring it to the recycling installation of local scrap, of course! Just make sure to specify whether your pot or saucepan has a nonstick finish, as this must be removed before being recycled.
27 Old swing sets
If your swing game is always in a relatively good shape and you get rid of it only because your children go beyond, then plan to donate it. Parks, schools, shelters and religious organizations often need playground facilities. Give your place could be a great option. However, if your swing game is far from the point of repair, you can then take it out and bring the remains to a recycling facility for proper disposal.
28 Books
Just because you have finished with a book, it does not mean that it belongs to the trash. And even if they can be made of paper, recycling is not the best option either. Instead, consult the many organizations that are more than happy to take your old novels and put them for good use. Better global books, for example, accepts donations at the national level - and part of the benefits that the organization receives fromsell given books Go to the financing of non-profit literacy organizations.
In addition, if there is a local library in your area, it is more than likely that they also accept donations.
29 Dead plants
When most people think aboutComposting at homeThey think things like peels of vegetables and eggs. But you can actuallyCompost Things of the Garden Moreover, like dry leaves and dead plants. Unlike throwing these things in the trash, this process of recycling feeds the ecosystem while helping you get rid of all the dead plants of your home or garden.
30 Dumplings
According to EPA, people should "Avoid eliminating pesticides Whenever possible ", and do not believe it or not, the mints are actually considered as pesticides, because they contain ingredients such as naphthalene and paradichlorobenzene. When you have to have these powerful balls, the EPA recommends To do it in a household hazardous waste installation.