Three Items You Should Never Throw in the Trash
Hey, we get it. Throwing away things is the easy option! It’s quick, requires no thought, and you barely have to worry about it once it’s in the bin (unless it’s your job to take out the trash). Many of us already have recycling bins in our houses for items like single use plastic, paper, and glass. Some even have composters in the backyard or fancy composting machines in the kitchen. But there are some items you should never put in the trash, period. There are some everyday items that you may barely think about throwing away which contain high amounts of chemicals that are super dangerous for the health of the environment and people who end up near them. Here are three of these items and how you can be sure to safely dispose of them.
The Culprit: Batteries
The Crime: It’s amazing how something as small and common as a battery can have such a large effect on the environment. However, batteries are considered hazardous waste by the state of California. The way batteries are designed makes them very efficient sources of portable energy, but also makes them a huge fire risk when brought to regular trash disposal facilities. When batteries are crushed (as much of the trash brought to dumps is), the components of the battery separate and have a very serious likelihood of catching fire or even exploding, often having devastating consequences. Not only that, but batteries contain a variety of toxic chemicals with fun names like lithium, cadmium, sulfuric acid, and lead. When disposed of improperly, these chemicals can leak into the soil and groundwater, poisoning the water we could really use.
The Solution: Luckily for you, recycling batteries is easy! No, don’t put them in your recycling bin, because that will not only pose a health and safety threat but will also cause the rest of your trash to not be eligible for recycling. Instead, collect your batteries and drop them off at your local hazardous waste center. Don’t know where or what that is? Use Earth 911 to find recycling centers near you!
(Sources: San Jose Recycles)
The Culprit: Paints
The Crime: No, that little plastic tube of glittery paint in your craft drawer isn’t going to cause any huge problems for the environment (although you may want to recycle it when empty). We’re talking about large amounts of paint you would use to paint your house or room. These cans of paint can be separated into two main categories: latex paint and oil paint, both of which have their own problems. Latex paint, when disposed of improperly and exposed to bodies of water, can be a major threat to aquatic organisms. Oil paints, on the other hand, can be even worse. Not only do they contain harmful chemicals that can damage the ozone layer, the vapors from oil-based paints can induce allergies and nausea.
The Solution: Oil paints are accepted at most hazardous waste facilities, while latex paints are not. In order to safely dispose of latex paints you should mix the can of paint with sawdust, dirt, or shredded paper. Wait until the paint completely thickens and add more thickener if necessary, then dispose of it in your regular trash can.
(Sources: GreenCitizen, CA DTSC, Santa Barbara Resource Recovery & Waste Management Division)
The Culprit: Chemical/Liquid Fertilizer (Lawn Fertilizer)
The Crime: Liquid fertilizer is just bad. Don’t use it. Really. While the chemicals in fertilizer might encourage growth in your lawn, they can kill any aquatic organisms they may be exposed to. Lots of liquid fertilizer ends up as runoff, polluting our waterways and oceans, and contaminating water supplies we may drink from. As such, liquid fertilizers pose a huge threat to both the environment and public health. Not only that, but a lot of the fertilizer that ends up on our lawns is broken down by microbes in the soil. This process releases strong greenhouse gasses such as nitrous oxide, contributing to global warming and climate change. Your turf may look a little greener, but think about the cost.
The Solution: You should always bring chemical fertilizers to a hazardous waste center, similar to the last two items. However, there are a range of products you can use instead of chemical fertilizer to use make your lawn look just as nice. Consider this list from the Chloride Free Foundation.
(Sources: Recycle Nation, MIT)
