Usually, it’s reasonable to toss your refuse for trash pickup. But some household products are too dangerous to send to the landfill. Some cleaning products contain hazardous chemicals that poison the groundwater. Other items may leach heavy metals into the soil. Below are a few items you should never toss out with the rest of the garbage.

Household Items to Avoid Tossing Out

1. Lithium & Rechargeable Batteries

Rechargeable batteries contain heavy metals that can leach into groundwater and cause nickel or cobalt poisoning in humans and animals. Your cellphone battery or laptop battery commonly contain these metals. Take your device’s battery to a local hazardous waste processing facility. Also, consider using phosphate-based batteries in your devices. This alternative doesn’t contain heavy metals.

2. Oil-Based Paint

While unused latex paint can be safely dried out with kitty litter and disposed of, oil-based pigments are a different matter. Many products contain hydrocarbons, heavy metals, and other toxins. Toxic fumes can release and harm landfill workers. In high concentrations, these substances cause blurred vision, stomach aches, and respiratory problems.

3. Auto Fluids

Changing your car’s oil can be a great way to save money, but take care when disposing of unused lubricants. Engine and transmission oil is especially dangerous since it picks up cadmium, lead, and other heavy metals inside the engine. If metals get into the groundwater, automotive fluids can kill wildlife and cause heavy metal poisoning in humans. 

4. Unused Drain Cleaners

Drain cleaning compounds are incredibly corrosive. Never send a drain cleaner bottle with your usual trash pickup (unless the bottle is washed). Pour any remaining cleaner down the drain and rinse the bottle thoroughly. Once the bottles are clean, they can go out with your recyclables. 

5. Fluorescent Tubes

Although fluorescent household light bulbs are recyclable, their tubes contain high levels of mercury. Mercury should never go to the landfill. This metal is toxic to humans and may cause vision loss, nerve damage, and muscle weakness. Children are especially vulnerable to the effects of mercury poisoning. Carefully remove the burnt-out tube and take it to your local hazardous waste processing facility.

For over 15 years, X Waste Inc has provided reliable, affordable trash pickup services to homes and businesses throughout Central Illinois. In addition to regular waste removal, they also offer recycling pickup and roll-off dumpster services for businesses of every size. To request an estimate and schedule your trash pickup service, visit their website or call (309) 353-4388 today.