A Look At 30 Things That You Should Never Throw In Your Regular Trash Can (2 of 6)

Old laptops

Thanks to the awareness on the issue of e-waste, most people now know that old laptops shouldn’t be thrown out in the garbage can. Your laptop contains a lot of small parts as well, which contain toxic and hazardous substances that can react with the environment when left in open. Instead, they need to go to the proper recycling facility, where the parts are separated and then safely disposed of. Or, if your laptop is still in a working condition, you can go for an exchange deal, wherein you get a new laptop at a discounted rate by giving your old laptop. A win-win for both!

Lighter fluid

Lighter fluid either contains butane or naphtha, both of which are highly flammable liquids. It is quite important not to throw away lighter fluid out in the trash bin, obviously. If you have lighter fluid that needs to be thrown away, simply drive off to the nearest hazardous waste collection facility and give it to them, who then dispose of the liquid in the safest manner to avoid any damage to the environment, or living beings.

Tablets and smartphones

Companies are churning out more and more smartphones and tablets every day, thanks to the ever increasing list of consumers. But often most people don’t know the best way to discard their old smartphones or tablets. Your handheld devices, just like computers, contain toxic elements and simply cannot be thrown away in a regular dustbin. The best way is to surrender them at the nearest hazardous waste recycling facility, where they will be broken down into small parts and recycled for free. Or, if your smartphone is still working, you can trade in for some cash or exchange deal for a new one.

Knives

It often happens that we buy a new set of knives and are in no longer need of the old ones. In such a scenario, do not throw away your knives in the trash can! They can be harmful for humans or even animals who might get in contact with them. Instead, sell it to your nearest scrape dealer or if you have a neighborhood thrift store or a kitchen that needs donations, you can give your unwanted knives to them. If none of these options are available to you, you can throw away your knives in the trash can, but only after packing them properly to make sure no one gets hurt while handling the trash.

Unused Medications

We often end up having unused medications that we need to dispose of. However, throwing away medications in the trash bin isn’t the best way to take care of medical waste. Medicines contain a lot of compounds that can not only contaminate the water supply or environment, but also end up in the wrong hands. It is, therefore, crucial to dispose these medicines only during the DEA drug-take-back events, or drug disposal facilities set up by your town authorities. This ensures that the drugs are not a threat to anyone, and are disposed of in a safe manner.