Everything Households Need to Know About Solid Waste Recycling and Disposal

View from the Experts

When in Doubt, Throw It Out

Curbside recycling can be problematic. This is partly because of good intentions gone awry. If an item could possibly be recycled rather than sent to a landfill, many folks toss it into the recycling bin. Such actions often end up costing thousands of dollars or more per occurrence, and incidents are more common than you may think. For example, a University of Florida study found that 25 percent of recycled materials were contaminated. Here are some common items that are incorrectly put into recycling bins:

Even frozen food boxes are common contaminants despite being made of paperboard. The paperboard is frequently coated with plastic, which prevents the paperboard from breaking apart during normal recycling procedures.

Additionally, individual cities will have different guidelines for the types of items that can be recycled, and this creates confusion. If people move or even visit other cities, they may put incorrect items into the recycling and increase contamination.

What happens when a contaminant enters the recycling stream at a facility? It depends on the contaminant. For example, plastic bags tend to stick to shafts and axles, jamming machinery and putting workers in danger. Likewise, cords and tanglers often cause jams. Workers expend a lot of time and energy to take machinery apart and put it back together. Contaminants such as dirty diapers and syringes potentially endanger workers’ health and must be taken out (more wasted time). If a load has too many contaminants, nothing gets recycled. Instead, the load is simply sent to the landfill.

Trying to recycle the wrong materials can cost thousands of dollars per mistake and result in far more items getting trashed rather than recycled. If you are in doubt about whether to recycle something, just trash it. Alternatively, you could look up your local guidelines, if feasible. The table below details common curbside recycling mistakes and what folks can do instead.

Regulations for large plastic items such as laundry baskets and children’s playsets can vary widely by community. Check your area’s guidelines.

Important: Do not put your recycling in a plastic bag unless you live in a place that has an approved program. Open paper bags are OK.

Avoid Putting Certain Items in Your Household Trash

The section above touched on common items that people try to recycle. Some, such as clothes hangers, can instead be placed in curbside trash. Meanwhile, other items such as motor oil and furniture are usually not suitable for curbside trash disposal.

Hazardous Materials

Examples of hazardous materials include brake fluid, antifreeze, rust removers, cleaning solvents, varnish, paint thinners, pesticides, lighter fluids, nail polish, nail polish remover, and furniture polish. Thermometers, barometers, light bulbs, and paint also fall under this umbrella. These materials are potentially dangerous. They may be toxic, corrosive, or flammable, which is why they’re not appropriate for curbside trash removal (or for curbside recycling).

Many localities hold drop-off events for hazardous materials. Similarly, many allow you to make an appointment to drop off your hazardous waste at certain sites/facilities. If you’re uncertain whether something is hazardous, assume that it is (err on the side of caution), or contact your municipality for clarification.

Furniture and Bulk Items (Often Including Large Yard Waste)

For large items, you might need to arrange a special pickup with your locality’s waste division. Many localities don’t do that, though, at least not for free. Your other options may include:

• Contacting a private company to haul the items away
• Asking a thrift shop to do pickup
• Shopping for new furniture at a place that takes old furniture off your hands
• Listing an item for sale online, with the new owner hauling it away
• Waiting for a bulk collection day (if applicable)
• Taking the item to the dump (check local regulations for fees and allowable items)

Electronics

Electronics are not appropriate for curbside recycling, and you shouldn’t put them out with the household trash, either. Part of the reason is that many of these items contain toxic substances such as mercury and lead. Consider donating working electronics to nonprofit groups. Just remember to delete your personal information where applicable to prevent any sort of identity theft from happening. If you are disposing of e-waste, contact your locality and ask where to drop the waste off.

Remember Expired and Unneeded Medications

Medications, especially prescription medications, over-the-counter pills, and dietary supplements, don’t always get disposed of properly. The Food and Drug Administration urges the use of a take-back site, program, or location.

If that option isn’t available, some medications are OK to flush down the sink or toilet. That’s because just one dose of them could be extremely harmful or fatal for someone else, and the impact on the environment is most likely negligible. Proper disposal keeps children, other adults in the household, and pets safe.

Put medication in the trash if a drop-off location is not available and flushing is not recommended. In these cases, mix the medication with dirt, cat litter, or something unappetizing (don’t crush capsules or tablets). Put the mixture in a plastic bag, and seal the bag. Place the bag into the trash. Scratch out the information on prescription labels, and dispose of these containers as well.

To dispose of needles and sharps: Put them in a disposal container specifically for needles and sharps right after you use them. Keep this container in a safe place inaccessible to children and pets.

When the container is about three-fourths full, follow your community’s guidelines for disposal. In many places, you can drop the containers off at hazardous waste collection locations, medical offices, pharmacies, police stations, and fire stations. Many communities let you put the lids on disposal containers, seal them with duct tape, and add a “DO NOT RECYCLE,” label. You can then add the container to your household trash.

Dispose of Yard Trimmings and Smaller Yard Waste

In many localities, yard waste gets its own container like recyclables and trash do. If this applies to your area, certain “yard” items may still be off-limits in the yard waste bin.

Fibrous plants such as bamboo have the potential to jam the equipment that makes mulch, which is why you should trash these plants. Meanwhile, some localities such as King County (Washington) allow food scraps and pizza delivery boxes in yard waste bins.

Dos and Don’ts for Composting

Many households and community groups use compost to fertilize gardens and farms. Whether you have your own compost pile or donate to one, you generally should avoid composting these items:

These items are good to compost:

Household Recycling and Solid Waste Disposal

People usually have good intentions with the items they try to recycle. We want to do right by the environment, but we don’t realize the risks posed by a greasy pizza box or a tangle of Christmas lights. When in doubt, throw an item out, and take special disposal measures with hazardous waste, medications, furniture, and a few other items.

Additional Resources

• Earth911: Recycling Guide for Vehicles, Glass, Plastic, Household Waste, Electronics, and More
• Family Handyman: Don’t Toss These Things, Repurpose Them Instead
• EPA: Facts and Figures about Materials, Waste, and Recycling

Here’s a look at FAQs that waste disposal and recycling groups get. Do note that these questions and answers are broadly applicable. It is possible that a few communities do things differently.

Frequently Asked Questions