Just because you need to throw something away, doesn’t mean you can put it in your garbage can. There are many household products that are actually considered hazardous waste, and can be very dangerous if they get mixed in with the regular waste stream.

When Rumpke picks up garbage from your neighborhood, an average of 500 houses worth of trash is compacted into the back of the truck. If there are even small amounts of hazardous material, they can cause dangerous implications for our drivers, employees and the environment.

Here are some tips to keep your garbage as safe as possible:

1. Check the label – A lot of household cleaning supplies contain dangerous chemicals. If the container is labeled with “Danger” or “Poison”, this is an indication of hazardous waste, and cannot go into your garbage can or recycling bin.

2. Review your service guidelines – Rumpke mails guidelines to all new customers, as well as quarterly service reminders on the back of invoices. These guidelines include a list of materials that cannot be thrown away, including batteries, tires, liquids and combustible materials. For more information, review Rumpke’s guidelines.

3. Research local options – Most local solid waste districts offer days where residents can dispose of household hazardous waste at no cost. Commonly accepted items include:

• Paint thinner
• Lawn and pool chemicals
• Batteries
• Florescent light bulbs
• Gasoline and oil
• Insecticides

Remember, not all garbage belongs in the trash can. In order to keep our employees as well as the environment safe, please think before you throw!

About the author: Darby Fledderjohn is the corporate communications intern