How to Dispose of Dangerous Items

Recycling is a good thing, but throwing away dangerous items (or trying to), such as batteries, light bulbs, and sharp items, can be just as hazardous as throwing them in the trash.

Here are some tips for disposing of dangerous items:

1. Contact your local solid waste authority, environmental protection agency, or household hazardous waste center. These agencies can guide you in how to dispose or recycle dangerous things.

2. Car batteries should be returned to the place where you purchased the car or the car battery.

3. Compact fluorescent lights, or CFLs, have mercury in them and need special treatment in recycling. Drop them off at a local participating retailer.

4. Sharps, or used needles and syringes, should never be tossed into your recycling bin. Take or mail them to an agency that specializes in the recycling of sharps. Make sure they are sealed into a hard plastic or metal container before shipment.

5. Unused medication, whether prescription or over-the-counter, should be returned to the pharmacy where it was purchased for proper disposal.

6. Pesticides should not be dumped into the garbage or down the drain, and containers partially filled with pesticide should not be put into your recycling bin. Check with your local authorities or the pesticide manufacturer for recycling advice.

7. You may be able to donate your used paint to your local second-hand store, such as Habitat for Humanity. If you can’t use the leftover paint, dry it out thoroughly and throw out the dried paint. Then recycle the paint cans by finding creative uses for them or contact your local household hazardous waste center for specifications in your area.

8. Car oil can be donated to various places that will recycle it. Check with your mechanic or whomever changes your oil. If you change it yourself, check with your local oil changing facility (such as JiffyLube or Valveline) to see if they will recycle it.

9. Aerosol cans such as hairspray or shaving cream should be empty before recycling. Most recycling centers can handle aerosol cans as long as they are empty, but call them first to find out for sure.

10. Other car chemicals, such as antifreeze, brake fluid, wax, and so forth will need to be disposed of responsibly. Check with your local waste management authorities or local garages and mechanics for information.

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