What Can’t You Throw Away in the Trash? | 5 Things You Shouldn’t Throw in to Your Trash Can

This article about what can’t you throw away in the trash is sponsored by 1-800-GOT-JUNK?.

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Believe it or not, there are actually many items that shouldn’t be thrown straight into the trash. Anything from your favorite shirt that is just too tattered, to even just that lightbulb you just replaced in the kitchen. Here are five items that you shouldn’t throw in your trash can.

Lightbulbs

Lightbulbs have it tough. You can’t throw them in recycling. You can’t throw them in a glass container. And you actually can’t throw them away in your typical garbage can either. Fluorescent lights are especially nasty and need to be disposed of properly. Fluorescent light bulbs. That’s because they contain harmful dust and vapor, such as mercury.

Appliances

It might help that refrigerators don’t fit in your traditional trash cans, but even that microwave that zapped its last hot pocket shouldn’t be thrown into your garbage can on garbage day. That’s because some of the parts in appliances can actually be pretty harmful to the environment. for example, freon in your broken refrigerator depletes the ozone layer. It’s so bad that the US has banned the production and importing of this harmful chemical.

Clothing

The ragged clothing you’ve been meaning to throw away might not belong in the trash can. But it might not belong at a second-hand store either. Definitely don’t use a second-hand store’s donation bin for your own personal garbage. But don’t inundate your local dump with clothing either. Especially when clothes are 100% recyclable.

Electronics

Electronics are 100% recyclable too. Similar to lightbulbs and appliances, some materials in electronics can directly harm the environment if not disposed of properly. Not only that, but many parts in most electronics from cabling to circuit boards can be re-used for some of your favorite new electronics!

Paints and Oils

Pains and oils are a big no-no when it comes to throwing them away. Not only are they harmful to the environment, but they can also be flammable. Paint especially! With paint and oils (yes, that includes kitchen grease and oils, motor oils, and even oil-based point) as well as the rest of the items on this list, there is actually a pretty simple solution…

What Can’t You Throw Away in the Trash? And What Can You Do With Those Items?

Just call 1-800-GOT-JUNK?. They’ll pick up pretty much anything and dispose of it properly. They take anything from furniture and yard waste to household appliances. In other words, everything on this list. They are absolutely worth a call if you have old junk lying around.

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