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These Common Household Items Are Too Dangerous for Your Trash Can

We’ve all been guilty of tossing things in the trash without thinking twice. It’s convenient, easy, and the quickest way to declutter. But, according to the experts, some things simply don’t belong there and can cause more harm than you might realize.

Many household products, for example, contain toxic chemicals, and others are packed with valuable materials. Simply throwing them away can be wasteful or even dangerous. Rules on what you can or can’t toss in the trash vary depending on where you live, so it’s always a good idea to check in with your local waste disposal services.

Here are some items you should never toss in the regular garbage and why.

1. Asbestos

Professional asbestos removal on a roof by a worker wearing a protective suit.
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

You probably know that asbestos is bad news, but don’t think you can just toss it in the trash. It’s not something to play around with. When asbestos fibers leak into the air, they can cause severe respiratory diseases, including cancer.

If you’ve ever heard of mesothelioma, you know the risks. What’s worse is that these fibers can remain in the air for long periods, making them even more dangerous to people and animals in the surrounding area. Instead, hire asbestos abatement professionals who can minimize the risks.

2. Car Batteries

a car mechanic installs a battery in a car.
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

When your car battery dies, don’t leave it in your garage or, worse, toss it in the trash. Car batteries are loaded with lead, acid, and other hazardous materials that, if they leak into the ground, can cause severe soil and water contamination.

The good news? Most retailers will take your old battery or offer a steep discount when you buy a new one.

3. Tires

Tires on a Car
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

You think your old tire is just rubber and won’t do much harm, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Tires are sturdy and built to last, and that’s exactly why they don’t belong in a landfill. When they sit in landfills, they trap gases that can cause them to “rise up” to the surface.

If they catch fire (and they can), they burn uncontrollably, releasing thick, toxic smoke that can take days or even weeks to extinguish. It’s an environmental disaster in the making and surprisingly common in landfills. Instead, contact your local waste removal company and ask what their process is. You can even take them to a tire dealer that will dispose of them for a fee. 

4. Aerosol Cans

A can of WD-40 setting near a car engine.
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Even when they seem empty, aerosol cans can still hold pressure. If they’re crushed or exposed to heat, they can still explode. And even beyond the explosion risk, they contain VOCs (volatile organic compounds) that can contribute to air pollution when they leak into the atmosphere.

You don’t want your empty can of hairspray from your big hair days turning into a mini rocket launcher, do you? It’s better (and safer) to take them to a waste facility or a recycling program that accepts metal containers.

5. Motor Oil

An oil change occurring in a motor vehicle, close-up view.
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

If you change your own motor oil, don’t dump the used stuff. Used motor oil doesn’t disappear once it’s thrown away. It seeps into the ground, contaminating soil and water with toxic chemicals like hydrocarbons, lead, and cadmium.

These pollutants can destroy entire ecosystems and take decades to clean up, which is terrible for the environment and also illegal in many states. Why? Because one gallon of motor oil can pollute a million gallons of water. Instead, take your used oil to a parts store or a recycling center.

6. Mercury Thermometers

Stock Photo ID: 1645244353. Thermometer in front of open fridge / refrigerator filled with food in kitchen.
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

You found an old mercury thermometer while cleaning out the medicine cabinet, and you’re thinking of just throwing it away with the expired cough syrup. But if that glass thermometer breaks in the trash, you’ve got a whole new problem.

Mercury doesn’t break down, so once it’s in the environment, it stays there for generations, contaminating water and soil for years. Even a tiny amount of mercury can cause severe damage to ecosystems and health if not properly contained. You can contact your waste removal service to find out when their next hazardous waste collection date is and hold onto it in the meantime, safely out of the reach of children and pets. 

7. Fireworks

Celebratory cake with fireworks on a cart in a restaurant.
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Fireworks are all fun and games until it’s time to clean up. Even after the show’s over, these explosives can be dangerous. Tossing them in the trash is asking for trouble, as they can still explode if they ignite and can cause accidents. One spark in the wrong place, and you’ve got a literal dumpster fire on your hands. 

If you’re stuck with old fireworks you don’t plan on using, consider donating them to a local event. It’s a win-win: You don’t have to worry about disposing of them, and there’s always someone who loves a good show. 

8. Needles

Doctor in a laboratory holding a syringe with a liquid vaccine.
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Needles belong in a sharps container, not in the trash, where they can pose a risk to sanitation workers. They can also poke through plastic bags or containers, and since they aren’t the easiest thing to spot, they can cause injuries to anyone who comes into contact with them.

Even the smallest mistake can lead to big health risks, not to mention the hefty fines you could face for violating disposal laws. Whether from medical treatment or your cat’s insulin shots, needles and sharps should never be thrown in the trash. Instead, contact your local town or county government to dispose of them. 

9. Gasoline

Woman refueling car at self service gas station.
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Obviously, gasoline is flammable, and throwing it in the trash is… not smart. Even a tiny amount can ignite if exposed to heat or a spark; the consequences could be explosive, literally!

Most hazardous waste facilities will accept gasoline; some even offer drop-off services. If you’ve got a bit of old gas lying around, let the pros handle it.

10. Compact Discs (CDs)

Open CD player on a table.
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

If you’re considering tossing that old stack of CDs collecting dust and taking up space, skip the trash. These discs are made from a combination of plastic and aluminum and take centuries to decompose. Remember: every CD in the trash today is one more piece of plastic polluting the planet for future generations.

Instead, look into e-waste recycling programs. Some places even offer small rewards for bringing in old CDs. 

11. Plastic Bottles

Image Credit: Shutterstock.

We all know plastic bottles are everywhere, and they’ll stick around for a long, long time if you throw them in the trash. Plastic can take up to 1,000 years to break down, contributing to the growing plastic pollution problem in oceans and landfills.

Recycling plastic bottles is the obvious solution, but here’s a bonus: in some places, you can return plastic bottles for cash. Yep, bottle redemption programs give you a few cents per bottle. So, not only are you keeping the oceans clean, but you’re also making a little extra money. And hey, every cent counts, right?

12. Old Clothing

Close up woman using her smartphone to find places where to donate her clothes.
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

That ratty old t-shirt with more holes than fabric? Yeah, it’s time to say goodbye. But before you throw it in the trash, think again. Textile waste is a growing problem, and clothing takes years to decompose. Instead of adding to the pile, why not donate gently used clothes?

Many thrift stores and charities will happily take your old items, or you could recycle the worn-out fabrics. Some, like t-shirts, even make great cleaning rags, and they’re washable.

13. Old Cell Phones

Old Phones and PDA in a drawer.
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Many of us have an old cell phone laying around that hasn’t seen the light of day in years. But before you chuck it in the trash, remember that cell phones are packed with valuable metals like titanium, silver, and copper. Some of them don’t melt even at the highest temperatures.

Throwing them out is like throwing money away, and it also contributes to e-waste. Given how many people upgrade their phones every couple of years, this adds up to a huge problem. Instead, check to see if your phone provider offers trade-in programs. Who knows? You might leave the store with credit or discounts for your next upgrade.

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