Can You Toss It?

Matches are flammable (duh), so make sure you soak them in water for five minutes before tossing in the trash.

Don't pour grease down the sink! It can damage your pipes. Instead, pour the grease in a can, let it harden then toss in the trash.

You can throw away empty aerosol cans, but take full ones to a hazardous waste collection site because of the harmful chemicals inside.

Don't just pour bleach down the sink. The chemicals in bleach can react with other substances in your pipes and can also damage them. Make sure you dilute generously with water first.

Recycle electronics at an electronics store even if they don't work. They contain chemicals that can poison the water surrounding the landfill, so don't just toss them in the trash.

Oil-based stains and paints are considered hazardous waste. Take them to a hazardous waste collection site. As far as oil-stained rags (or latex paint cans), let them dry completely on a nonflammable surface (like metal) away from any buildings. Once completely dry, toss in the trash.

You can throw away regular batteries, but recycle rechargeable batteries at your local home improvement store since they're considered hazardous material.

Donate Christmas lights that still work, but you can safely toss them in the trash if they don't work.

You can throw incandescent bulbs in the trash, but recycle CFL bulbs at your local home improvement store since they contain mercury.