Household Waste That Requires Special Disposal

Are you throwing away things you shouldn’t? Most waste is suitable for tossing in the bin or dumpster without a second thought. Paper, metal, plastic, and glass can be rounded up and thrown in the trash or recycling bin. However, some things aren’t suitable for the kitchen garbage. Here are a few types of household waste that requires special disposal.

Medical Waste

Medical waste comes in different forms, and it can be dangerous due to sharpness, infectiousness, or toxicity. Hospitals get rid of medical waste in specific ways, like using incinerators. Homeowners, however, must dispose of old medication and healthcare tools in other ways.

Never flush expired or unused medication down the toilet or pour it down the drain. Instead, look for local facilities that accept and destroy old meds. Likewise, collect implements like disposable syringes in bright red “sharps” containers before throwing them away.

Electronic Waste

If you can plug it in or install batteries, it’s electronic and contains toxic elements. Laptops, smartphones, tablets, computers, and many household appliances contain small to large amounts of lead, mercury, cadmium, and other toxic substances. If they end up in a landfill, they can break down and release these elements into the ecosystem. Check to see if your town offers an E-recycling program. They’ll collect and safely process your E-waste.

Paint

When you finish a painting project, you may find yourself with a can or two of leftover paint. Consider keeping it for future touch-ups. If there’s not enough paint to justify keeping the entire can, you’ll need to dispose of it properly: For latex paint, add kitty litter to the remainder and let it absorb the excess before throwing it away. For oil-based paints, find out if your community offers to collect and dispose of paint. Another possibility is donating it to a charity that builds homes.

Batteries

Batteries are another type of household waste that requires special disposal. Batteries contain chemicals that can leach into the ground and do a lot of harm to the area’s flora and fauna. Collect old batteries in a non-conductive container. Then, look for a local battery recycling center. If you can’t find a nearby facility, check online for programs that collect and recycle batteries. Car batteries are the easiest to get rid of since many auto shops collect and recycle them at no charge.