14 Items Now BANNED From Throwing in the Garbage in Utah

Maybe you're starting to go through some of your stuff after our long, hot summer that we've had here in Utah. Maybe you developed a bit of a hoarding problem. Hey! No judgement here. If you've gone through the sheds or the garages and decided it's time to clean up a little, I'm proud of you! But before you go throwing all this stuff in your dumpster, you should know that A LOT of these everyday items can be TOTALLY ILLEGAL to throw away in the state of Utah. Before getting a fat ticket, check out this list!

14 EVERYDAY ITEMS THAT ARE ILLEGAL TO THROW AWAY IN UTAH:

Mercury Thermometers:

Mercury is highly toxic and can contaminate air, water, and soil. If mercury thermometers break in the trash, they can release mercury vapors that are harmful to humans and animals.

Household Batteries:

Batteries contain harmful chemicals such as cadmium, lead, and lithium. If disposed of improperly, they can leach toxins into the soil and groundwater, posing environmental and health risks.

Antifreeze:

Antifreeze contains ethylene glycol, which is toxic to humans and animals. Improper disposal can result in soil and water contamination, harming wildlife and ecosystems.

Car Batteries:

Car batteries are full of sulfuric acid and lead, which are highly toxic. If dumped in a landfill, they can corrode and leak these substances into the ground, polluting the environment.

Prescription Drugs:

Throwing away prescription drugs can lead to contamination of water supplies if they enter the landfill or sewage system. Additionally, drugs that are improperly discarded can be misused or abused by others.

Fireworks:

Fireworks contain explosive materials and chemicals that are dangerous when thrown away improperly. They pose a fire hazard, and their leftover chemicals can be harmful to the environment.

Electronics:

Electronics often contain hazardous materials like lead, mercury, and cadmium, which can leak into the environment when they degrade in landfills. Recycling them prevents these toxins from polluting soil and water.

Fluorescent Light Bulbs:

These bulbs contain small amounts of mercury, which can be harmful to human health and the environment if they break in a landfill. Special disposal is required to prevent mercury contamination.

Gasoline:

Gasoline is highly flammable and can cause fires or explosions if disposed of improperly. Additionally, it can contaminate groundwater if it leaks from a landfill.

Motor Oil:

Used motor oil contains hazardous chemicals and heavy metals. It is harmful to both soil and water if improperly disposed of and can disrupt ecosystems and harm wildlife.

Lawn Chemicals:

Lawn chemicals like pesticides and herbicides can be toxic to wildlife and plants. When disposed of improperly, they can contaminate water supplies and harm ecosystems.

Asbestos:

Asbestos is a known carcinogen and can cause severe respiratory problems. Disposing of asbestos in regular trash risks releasing its fibers into the air, where they can be inhaled.

Tires:

Tires can damage landfill liners, leading to leakage of contaminants into the soil. They also take up a lot of space in landfills and are highly flammable, making them a fire hazard.

Paint:

Many paints contain toxic chemicals like lead or volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which can contaminate air, water, and soil if not disposed of properly.

In Utah, these items must be taken to specialized facilities or recycling centers that can handle their proper disposal safely and legally.

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