Here are 6 Macon household items that are dangerous to throw out on trash day

With Macon’s recent history of illegal dumping and trash pickup issues, here are some non-disposable items to know about and the risks they pose to the environment, sanitation workers, or even yourself.

Items like batteries, paint, electronics, or sharp objects are generally acknowledged as items that are not safe to dispose of normally. Here are a few more items that require special disposal instructions that you may not have known about.

Fuels, Oils, Chemicals and Cleaners

After a long day of cleaning, your first thought may be to throw away your empty bottles of cleaning supplies to wrap up. This becomes a problem when handling corrosive items like detergents, drain cleaners, toilet cleaners or chlorine-based bleaches.

The same goes for gasoline canisters, propane and motor oil, which are not only corrosive under certain conditions but can be highly flammable. When dealing with such items, you are encouraged to dispose of them at the nearest hazardous materials collection facility instead.

Nearby Hazardous Waste Collection facilities: HWH Environmental, Clean Management Environmental, and other Georgia household hazardous waste sites

Needles and Razor Blades

No surprise here. Getting rid of sharp objects in the trash can lead to cuts or puncture wounds when personally handling a loose trash bag, and for unaware waste collectors as they pick up the trash.

Objects falling in this category include razor blades used for DIY jobs, some shaving razors, and needles for medication such as insulin. The best way to dispose of them is by using puncture-proof/plastic containers or going to the nearest biohazards and sharps disposal location.

Prescription Medicine

Any unused or expired prescription drugs should not be disposed of normally because of their risk to the soil and water supply. At garbage dumps, the medicine may seep into the ground and cause damage to the surrounding area and populous.

To dispose of prescription medicines, look out for annual drug take-back events near you or just follow the FDA’s guide on proper drug disposal.

Fireworks

With the Fourth of July approaching in just over a month, know the risks that come with fireworks—even after firing them. To properly dispose of fireworks, you can place them in the garbage, unlike most entries on this list. However, it is highly recommended to soak them in water for around 24 hours before throwing them away to significantly reduce the chance of any unwanted combustion.

Ink

For those who work from home or who have home offices, the ink used in pens and printers is toxic and should not be thrown in the garbage. Cartridges may also burst and stain any equipment, surface or person who comes in contact with them.

It’s safest to dispose of ink and ink cartridges at recycling centers or retailers with drop-off locations.

Tires

It might seem like an obscure pick for our final entry, but a staggering 280 million Americans throw away worn-out tires despite 48 of the 50 states having laws against doing so.

Most tire stores will recycle old tires for free if you are purchasing new ones. You can also check Earth 911 for the nearest recycling station to deposit a used tire. Recycled tires are often used for resourceful architecture like playground flooring, turf or asphalt.