Why Some Household Items Should Never Go in the Trash

Not Everything Belongs in the Garbage Can

When you are cleaning out a garage, shed, kitchen, or storage room, it can be tempting to put everything you no longer want into the same trash pile. But some common household items require a little more care. Batteries, chemicals, paint products, fuel, fluorescent bulbs, electronics, and other materials can contain substances that may be flammable, corrosive, reactive, or toxic. When they are thrown away incorrectly, they can create hazards for people, waste collection crews, disposal facilities, and the environment. Knowing what requires special handling can make your next cleanout much safer. 

Batteries Can Create a Fire Hazard

Rechargeable batteries are easy to overlook because they are found in so many everyday items. Phones, laptops, cordless tools, toys, cameras, lawn equipment, and countless other devices may contain rechargeable batteries. Some batteries, particularly lithium-ion batteries, can catch fire or explode if they are damaged, crushed, improperly stored, or disposed of incorrectly. Florida’s Department of Environmental Protection specifically warns that batteries can become a hidden household hazard when mishandled. That makes it important to separate batteries from ordinary household junk and find an appropriate recycling or disposal option.

Paint and Chemicals Need Special Attention

That half-empty can of paint sitting in your garage may not look dangerous, but many household products contain chemicals that should not simply be tossed into regular garbage. Examples can include: 

  • Oil-based paints 
  • Paint thinner and solvents 
  • Pesticides 
  • Herbicides 
  • Pool chemicals 
  • Household cleaners 
  • Automotive fluids 
  • Gasoline and fuel 
  • Certain fertilizers 

 

Household hazardous waste can have characteristics such as flammability, corrosiveness, toxicity, or chemical reactivity. Improper disposal can also allow hazardous materials to enter the environment or potentially contaminate groundwater. 

Never Mix Leftover Chemicals Together

If you are cleaning out a garage or utility room, you may find several containers with only small amounts of product remaining. Do not combine them simply to save space. Different chemicals can react when mixed together. For example, some pool chemicals contain oxidizers that can react dangerously with combustible materials. Corrosive products such as certain drain cleaners, acids, and rust removers can also cause serious injuries if handled improperly. When possible, keep products in their original containers with their labels intact until you determine the proper disposal method.

Fluorescent Bulbs Should Be Recycled

Fluorescent lamps and some older types of lighting contain small quantities of mercury. That means they should not be treated the same way as ordinary household trash. Florida DEP recommends recycling fluorescent bulbs so mercury can be properly managed instead of entering landfills or the environment. Household hazardous waste facilities throughout Florida may accept these bulbs for recycling. If a fluorescent bulb breaks, avoid treating the pieces like ordinary broken glass and follow appropriate cleanup and disposal guidance. 

Electronics Can Contain More Than Plastic and Metal

Old televisions, monitors, computers, and other electronics often contain valuable recyclable materials. They may also contain substances such as lead or mercury depending on the device. Recycling electronics allows materials such as copper, steel, and glass to be recovered while reducing the chance that potentially harmful materials are released into the environment. That old television sitting in the garage may therefore require different handling than an old table or cardboard box. 

Propane Tanks and Pressurized Containers Require Caution

Propane tanks, compressed gas cylinders, aerosol containers, and other pressurized items can create serious problems when improperly handled. Even a container that appears empty may still contain pressure or residual material. Never puncture, crush, burn, or attempt to dismantle an unidentified or pressurized container yourself. DASA Lotta Junk lists propane tanks as items that may be accepted with special handling, while unidentified or certain pressurized containers may not be accepted at all. The safest option is always to ask before including one in your junk removal pile.

What About Old Paint?

Paint can be confusing because the answer depends on the type and condition. DASA Lotta Junk may accept dried latex or oil-based paint, while liquid paint and other hazardous materials can require different disposal methods. If you are unsure what you have, do not pour it onto the ground, down a storm drain, or into another container. Ask DASA Lotta Junk first.

Florida Has Household Hazardous Waste Programs

You do not have to figure everything out on your own. Every Florida county has a Household Hazardous Waste program designed to help residents properly recycle or dispose of materials such as batteries, paint, cleaners, pesticides, fluorescent bulbs, and other hazardous household products. Your local county program can help determine where specific materials should go. 

When in Doubt, Don't Throw It Out

One of the easiest rules to remember during a cleanout is this: 

If you are not sure what something contains, do not automatically put it in the trash. Set it aside and identify it first. DASA Lotta Junk removes a wide variety of household items, furniture, appliances, electronics, outdoor items, and renovation debris, but some materials require special handling or cannot be transported by a junk removal company. If you have questionable items mixed into a larger cleanout, just ask. DASA Lotta Junk can help you determine what we can haul away, what requires special handling, and what may need to go through your local hazardous waste program. 

Contact DASA Lotta Junk today for a free estimate and let’s get it gone!