As the world trends towards a more universal view on green living and conservation of limited resources, the way we think about garbage and recycling is evolving. Some Americans no longer thoughtlessly tossing their trash into a single bin that heads straight to a dumping station or landfill.

They are waking up to the hard facts that our waterways, lands and the air we breathe are suffering from careless disposal of hazardous or toxic unwanted items. Many items, such as batteries or unfinished cleaners contaminate our soil as their containers break down and then leach into the ground water.

At Waste Master Solutions we believe it is everyone’s responsibility to make a commitment to improve our waste reduction efforts. That is why we are happy to share the following article and infographic created by Junk ITT, a Chicago based garbage and junk removal company.

How To Get Rid Of Almost Anything

by Junk ITT

Out of sight, out of mind. That’s the method too many people take when disposing of garbage and other unwanted items. Once this rubbish is set out on the curb and hauled away, many of us simply forget it, convincing ourselves that it’s someone else’s problem. Although that’s true to some degree, it doesn’t absolve us of the responsibility of knowing how to properly dispose of things we don’t want.

In the past, there was only one way to deal with things we didn’t want — we threw them in the garbage and let the garbage men take it from there. It didn’t matter what it was — food scraps, broken glass or even an old dishwasher. Everything was loaded onto the same truck and hauled to the same incinerator or landfill.

Times have changed, however, and today we’re more aware as a society about the concerns of simply dumping everything we don’t want in the same place. Wasted materials mean wasted energy and wasted resources used to manufacture new items. Hazardous materials that are improperly disposed of allow toxins to poison the environment and people. We’re more aware than ever about the importance of disposing of things properly — but that doesn’t mean the problem is solved.

It’s up to all of us to pay attention to what we’re throwing away and how best to do it. This can be difficult because although the word has spread about how to dispose of many common types of household waste, there are some areas where there still may be confusion. For example, just about everyone should know now that the best way to dispose of glass or plastic bottles is to place them in the recycling bin so the materials from which they are made can be used again. However, less people know what to do with old car tires. Tires can be recycled, but the regular recycling bin is not the place for them to go. Likewise, empty household cleanser bottles can go into the recycling bin, but should they if they’re still half full?

Knowing how to get rid of unwanted items properly is vital given how much waste the average American household generates. In many cases, the garbage can or recycling bin is the best option. However, in some cases you may need to visit a hazardous materials disposal facility or contact a junk removal service to ensure that your unwanted items don’t harm the environment or take up space in landfills. If you are unsure of how to dispose of your household waste, the accompanying guide from furniture disposal company Junk ITT can help you determine the best way to do it.

Infographic credit: Junk ITT

HELPFUL RECYCLING & SAFE DISPOSAL LINKS:

DELAWARE SOLID WASTE AUTHORITY HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE/PAPER SHREDDING

EPA: HOW DO I RECYCLE?

DELAWARE COUNTY PA SOLID WASTE AND RECYCLING

CHESTER COUNTY RECYCLING & SAFE DISPOSAL OPPORTUNITIES

MANUFACTURER COLLECTION SITES PA

BATTERY & CELLPHONE RECYCLING DROP OFF LOCATIONS

At WasteMasters Solutions, a commercial waste management company, we believe environmental stewardship is in everyone’s best interest. Want to find out more? Contact the commercial recycling solutions experts of Delaware and share on our Facebook page some of the ways your business meets or excel at commercial sustainability and minimizing waste. Waste Masters Solutions is a commercial waste solution and recycling company serving Delaware, making it our mission to increase community awareness of the importance of reducing, recycling, reusing as much as possible.