Can You Toss It?

Don't know what items you can safely toss in the trash? We'll tell you which items to toss and which ones require a couple extra steps for your safety and to help our environment.

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Photo By: Cassidy Garcia

Matches

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

Bacon Grease

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.

Aerosol Cans

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

Bleach

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.

Phones and Other Electronics

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 Rags

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.

Batteries

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

Christmas Lights

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

Light Bulbs

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

Printer Ink Cartridges

Printer ink cartridges will sit in the landfill for thousands of years. Help save the planet by recycling it at your local office supply store.

Can You Toss It?

Related To:

Matches

Bacon Grease

Aerosol Cans

Bleach

Phones and Other Electronics

Oil-Based Stains and Rags

Batteries

Christmas Lights

Light Bulbs

Printer Ink Cartridges

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