Various items cannot be simply thrown in the trash and must be disposed of properly according to local guidelines. Some common items that cannot be thrown away include tires, motor oil, car batteries, household batteries, electronics, thermometers, and paint. When it comes to tires, reaching out to a local auto shop or a registered scrap transporter can help in recycling old tires. For motor oil, it should be disposed of at a recycling facility or an auto center. Car batteries should not be thrown in landfills, and options include taking it to an auto shop for an exchange or bringing it to a metal recycling establishment.
Household batteries have specific disposal guidelines, with alkaline batteries able to be thrown in the trash, while button cell batteries should be brought to a battery recycler. When getting rid of electronics, consider trading in old devices for new ones or looking into electronics stores that offer recycling programs. Additionally, televisions should not be thrown in the trash due to their potentially harmful components. The process of disposing of electronics is similar to that of smartphones or tablets, and it is important to factory reset these devices before recycling them.
Thermometers containing mercury cannot be thrown in the regular trash, but those labeled “mercury-free” can be disposed of normally. For thermometers containing mercury, consider donating them to small businesses or universities or locating a hazardous waste collection facility for proper disposal. Paint is another item that requires special disposal, with latex paint needing to dry out before being thrown in the trash, and oil-based paint requiring a trip to a drop-off center for safe disposal. These items should not be thrown in the trash due to their toxic nature, and it is important to follow the correct disposal guidelines to protect the environment.
