Minnesota Homeowners Need To Rethink What Goes In The Trash

If you live in Minnesota, there’s a good chance you have something in your garage, basement, or utility room that should never go in the trash.

Many homeowners simply don’t realize that some common household items are illegal to throw away! Here's what the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has to say.

DON'T PUT THAT IN THE GARBAGE

Why would it be illegal to throw certain items away in a typical garbage can that is emptied once a week by your trash pick-up service? Some items can actually cause damage to the environment. Some of the items you think are harmless can start fires or create dangerous situations for sanitation workers on the receiving end.

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USE CAUTION IN TRASH DISPOSAL

It’s easy to understand how it happens. You clean out a shelf in the garage and find a bunch of old paint cans, dead batteries, fluorescent light bulbs, or leftover chemicals from a long-forgotten project. Here are some of the worst items to consider.

LITHIUM-ION BATTERIES

One of the biggest concerns right now is lithium-ion batteries. These batteries are found in phones, laptops, rechargeable tools, e-bikes, wireless headphones, vape devices, and even greeting cards!

When damaged or crushed in garbage trucks or at processing facilities, lithium-ion batteries can spark fires. Waste facilities across the country have reported major fires caused by improperly discarded batteries, and Minnesota officials continue to warn residents about the growing problem.

OTHER STORIES: Minnesotans Should Never Put This In The Recycling Bin

REGULAR BATTERIES

Regular household batteries can also create issues, especially rechargeable batteries and car batteries. Instead of throwing them in the trash, homeowners are encouraged to bring them to recycling drop-off sites or county hazardous waste programs. I know that Batteries Plus in Sauk Rapids always takes my old batteries.

PAINT

Paint is another item that many people misunderstand. When I moved into my home in 2018, the previous owner had left about 12 gallons of half-used paint for me to get rid of, and now I know why.

While completely dried-out latex paint may sometimes be accepted in household garbage depending on local rules, oil-based paints, stains, varnishes, and paint thinners should never be tossed into regular trash. These products contain chemicals that can contaminate landfills and groundwater if not disposed of properly.

ELECTRONIC DEVICES

Electronics are another major category homeowners should pay attention to. Old televisions, computers, printers, monitors, cell phones and other electronic devices often contain hazardous materials.

Minnesota has specific recycling programs and laws related to electronic waste, especially for televisions and computer monitors. In central Minnesota we are lucky to have many county events throughout the area that are promoted a few weeks before they happen, to help people dispose of their unwanted non-disposables, and save them money in the process.

LIGHT BULBS

Fluorescent light bulbs and compact fluorescent bulbs, often called CFLs, are also restricted because they contain small amounts of mercury.

Mercury is dangerous to both people and wildlife if released into the environment. The same goes for older thermometers and thermostats that may contain mercury components.

AUTOMOTIVE PRODUCTS

Automotive products are another area homeowners should handle carefully. Used motor oil, antifreeze, transmission fluid, gasoline, and other vehicle-related chemicals should never be dumped into the garbage, onto the ground, or down storm drains.

Many auto parts stores and county programs accept used oil and automotive fluids for safe recycling or disposal.

LAWN AND GARDEN CHEMICALS

Minnesota homeowners should also be careful with lawn and garden products. Weed killers, pesticides, insect sprays, pool chemicals, and fertilizers can become environmental hazards if disposed of incorrectly. Even partially full containers can leak harmful substances into soil and water systems.

PROPANE TANKS

Some people are surprised to learn that propane tanks are also prohibited from regular trash collection. Even small camping-sized cylinders can explode or cause fires if crushed during the garbage process.

TIRES

Tires are another commonly banned item at many landfills because they create disposal and fire concerns.

APPLIANCES

Appliances like refrigerators, freezers, and air conditioners require special handling as well because they contain refrigerants such as Freon. These chemicals must be professionally removed before disposal or recycling.

MEDICAL SUPPLIES

With the rise of GLP medications, we have a lot more people using injectables than we did before. Medical sharps and needles should also never be tossed loosely into household garbage.

Homeowners who use injectable medications are encouraged to use approved sharps containers and follow local disposal guidelines.

EXPIRED MEDICATIONS

Expired medications create another challenge for families. Instead of flushing them or throwing them into the trash, many communities now offer drug take-back boxes at pharmacies or law enforcement offices.

These programs help prevent accidental poisoning, misuse, and contamination of water supplies. You can use a convenient website called myoldmeds.com to find all the locations in your area, and what they can and cannot accept.

AFFORDABLE HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE PROGRAMS IN MN

The good news for Minnesota homeowners is that most counties offer Household Hazardous Waste programs to help residents safely get rid of these items.

Many of these services are free or low-cost for county residents.

CHECK BEFORE YOU TOSS

The biggest takeaway for homeowners is simple: when in doubt, check before you throw something away. An item that seems harmless could create environmental damage, injury, or even a dangerous fire once it enters the waste system.

TAKE A FEW EXTRA MINUTES BEFORE YOU TOSS IT

As more products inside homes become rechargeable, electronic, or chemical-based, proper disposal is becoming more important than ever. Taking a few extra minutes to research where an item belongs can protect sanitation workers, prevent landfill fires, and help keep Minnesota’s lakes, rivers, and communities cleaner for everyone.