How To Properly Dispose Of 4 Common Items In Your Home
When you are disposing of trash in the home, the majority of items will either go in your garbage can or the recycling bin. However, you might have some items at home that should not be thrown away in the regular trash, since they can be dangerous for the local dump. Here are some tips for disposing of these common types of items in the household.
Hazardous Chemicals
It helps to first know which items are considered toxic, since hazardous waste should not be thrown away. You should consult a local hazardous waste pick-up company to dispose of them for you. Some of these items include fertilizer and insecticides, arsenic, acetone, boric acid, and formaldehyde. You might also have other items in your home for home projects or landscaping such as hydrochloric acid, fluorescent tubes, kerosene, lead, or mercury items. Harsh solvents and paint strippers should also be disposed of through a hazardous waste pickup service.
Electronics
You will undoubtedly end up with some electronics or appliances that you no longer need and want to throw away. They might be old and outdated or no longer working. While it is tempting to toss an old cell phone in the trash can, this is not safe for the environment. All electronics should be disposed of by recycling them. However, your local waste pickup service might not want electronics put in the recycling bin. Instead, you should consult the local waste management company to ask if they pick up electronics you want recycled. If not, there are often special recycling centers where you can bring electronics, or you can contact local electronics stores to see if they offer pickup or delivery options.
Prescription Medications
If you have prescription medications at home that are expired or you no longer have a use for them, do not simply throw them in the trash or try to put them down your drain. In both cases, they can be dangerous for the environment due to their contents. Instead, contact local medical centers, hospitals, and pharmacies to ask if you can bring them in. These medical businesses often provide an easy way to bring your old medications so they can dispose of them through their own medical waste program. Some medical waste pickup services might also be available. For more information contact a local company like TransChem Environmental.
Automotive Supplies
When you are completing basic auto repairs and maintenance, you will often end up with some supplies and liquids. Make sure you do not simply throw these in the trash. Some items need special care such as your old car battery, which can be brought to a local auto supply store. Other items that you should dispose of safely include motor oil, antifreeze, gasoline, and oil filters. Auto supply stores and mechanics often provide their own waste disposal services for these types of items.
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