What Can't I Throw Out?

“Just toss it in the trash” is a term commonly used by those who aren’t quite sure where their waste goes -- and while it’s not the best thing to do, it sometimes feels like the only option. But there are a few things in your home that should under no circumstance find their way into the garbage. Because of the hazardous material found in some of these, it’s important to know exactly what you should do with them, instead of placing them in your normal trash collection.

Light bulbs

Some light bulbs are considered non-toxic, and some aren’t. For the non-toxic ones, they CAN go into the trash, but should be placed in something that can help avoid injury. When it comes to CFL and fluorescent bulbs, these should never make their way into the trash, as they’re full of dangerous chemicals. An upside to this is that some retailers offer CFL recycling, and you can bring your bulbs back and recycled free of charge. LED’s are typically recyclable, but you should check before tossing them.

E-Waste

Electronics and other types of e-waste are typically no good for the trash. Usually depending on the type of item it is, a local electronics retailer will have recycle bins for each one, and some of them offer a rebate on an item in their store if you recycle through them! This is a great way to toss something you don’t need, and upgrade to something you’ll use. Alternatively, you can also always toss the items on sites like Craigslist and eBay to see if someone might have more of a use for it than you.

Batteries

As you probably know, batteries are full of chemicals that, even when depleted, can be harmful to the environment. Instead of throwing these out, it’s important to speak with your waste management company, or check out a map to see if you have a Household Hazardous Waste facility nearby. These will help you accelerate the process and be a bit more green.

Providing homes and businesses with effective waste management is a service that City Carting & Recycling has been doing for over 35 years. If you’re interested in dumpster rental or disposal services, give us a call at (888) 413-3344 to request a free quote, or visit us on our website! For more information, tips and tricks, make sure to Like our Facebook page!