10 Things You Should Never Throw In Your Garbage

You never know what will happen to the things you throw away. That's why we need to be careful when deciding what to throw in the trash.

Some of the items we throw away, such as medicines or electronic devices, can be a real danger to other people, animals, or the environment.

To get rid of these things, which you have nothing to do with, without actually throwing them in the trash, you can be inspired by this article!

1. Rechargeable batteries

Do not dispose of any type of battery! According to experts, batteries containing nickel, cadmium, or lead should be taken to special collection points.

However, alkaline batteries, based on manganese or carbon zinc, are not considered hazardous and can be safely disposed of in landfills.

2. Fluorescent bulbs

Never dispose of burnt or broken fluorescent bulbs. They contain mercury, which can be very dangerous when released into the environment.

Search the internet for a service provider that recycles the materials from which these light bulbs are made - such as glass or metal - and look for more light bulbs that you have collected over time.

3. Mercury thermometers

Although they are no longer used as often, many people still have classic mercury thermometers in their homes. If you no longer use them or they are broken, do not throw them in the trash, because the mercury in them is toxic.

You can take them, along with batteries or fluorescent bulbs, to a toxic waste dumpster. Even some supermarkets have special boxes in which such items are collected.

4. Old laptops and cell phones

Both contain toxic compounds such as mercury, lead, or chromium. If the devices still work, you can look for companies that buy old devices for their parts and even get money on them.

If they don't work at all, you can take them to electronics recycling centers or even contact a "recycling patrol" to pick them up from home. The same goes for various household appliances, such as a hairdryer, washing machine, or iron.

5. Expired or unused medications

If dumped, medicines can end up in the groundwater or in the hands of ignorant or malicious people, who can use them in dangerous ways.

It is best to pack expired or unused medicines in bags and take them to pharmacies, where they are incinerated.

6. Sharp objects

Whether it's old knives, needles, scissors, or shards of glass, they shouldn't be thrown in the trash. They should be placed in protective materials and sealed boxes before being taken to the trash. In the case of knives, they can also be taken to scrap metal collection centers.

7. Postal documents, invoices, various documents

Avoid throwing documents containing personal data in common rubbish bins. Your postal documents can be a valuable source of information for identity thieves.

It is best to break them as small as possible, then take them to a waste center.

8. Old clothes

Although they seem harmless, the clothes you no longer wear can pollute the environment and damage the most beautiful landscapes. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, more than 10.5 million tons of textiles end up in the fields each year without being biodegradable.

It is preferable to take clothes that you no longer wear to recycling centers, place them in specially designed containers, or send them to organizations that make clothing collections for the poor.

9. Old pans

Such objects are usually made of metal, so they are recyclable. When replacing your dishes, place them separately and take them to an iron scrap center or solid waste center.

10. Old books

Just because they're old or you don't read them doesn't mean their place is in the trash. Some of them are real works of art and deserve a chance, which you can give by taking them to organizations or antique centers, which accept such donations.

In the case of magazines or other prints that have no value, you can take them to a waste center.