Throwing your old TV into the bin seems to be the most reasonable choice. But it is actually dangerous for the environment and health.
The following is a list of seven toxic wastes - ranging from paint to used light bulbs - which according to the Live Science website analysis you should not throw into the trash.
These ingredients if not handled properly can leave traces of toxins and even radioactive traces in the surrounding environment.
7 Motor Vehicle Oil
In almost all states in the US, removing vehicle oil into a water channel or burying it in the ground is illegal. Removing oil into a toilet or toilet can interfere with the water recycling process.
From sewers, motor vehicle oil can pollute rivers or seas which in effect disrupt life in water. "One gallon (3.78 liters) of oil can pollute 1 million gallons (3.78 million liters) of clean water," said Jennifer Berry from Earth911.com, a site that is a source of information on recycling and disposal sites in the US.
The only right - and legal - way to get rid of motor vehicle oil is to place it in a clean plastic bottle, close it tightly and take it to a location that is willing to accept your used oil, such as to a local recycling site, workshop or motorcycle accessory shop .
Important to remember: do not mix your used oil with anything - including paint, gasoline, tiner etc. - because it will complicate the recycling process.
6 Electronic devices
Ranging from old TVs, DVD players, video cassette players (VCRs), tapes, CD players, used cellphones, alarm clocks, video cameras, desktop computers, laptops, printers, video game consoles, iPods - how much electronic waste (e-waste ) What should you keep in this warehouse?
Electronic waste in general contains heavy metals such as cadmium and tin. You are not allowed to dispose of the waste in the trash.
Although the amount of electronic waste is only 1-4% of all local waste, electronic waste is responsible for "70% of metal waste, including 40% of lead waste in the soil".
The safest way to dispose of electronic waste is to donate it back or bring it to a recycling center. There are several electronics stores that are willing to exchange your old products with new products (trade-in).
In the US, recycling mobile phones is not only environmentally friendly but can also bring in money. Companies like YouRenew.com, Gazelle.com and Flipswap.com are willing to pay for your old electronic items.
5 Cat
Oil-based paints, putty, varnishes, to liquid paint removers classified as household hazardous waste (HHW) because they contain chemicals that threaten humans, animals and even the environment.
Hazardous household waste should not be disposed of in a trash or into a water channel. Unused paints should be donated to schools, drama groups or non-profit institutions such as Habitat for Humanity. Bring the remaining oil-based paint to the nearest hazardous household waste collection facility.
Water-based paint (latex) is not classified as hazardous waste. The way to get rid of it is also easier. Open the paint can and dry it. You can also throw the can into the trash.
4 Battery
Batteries vary in type, also how to discharge them. But throwing the battery in the trash is not the right way.
Rechargeable batteries (including nickel cadmium batteries, nickel metal hydride, small lead acid batteries and lithium ion batteries) must be taken to a recycling center. Some shops in the US such as Ikea, Walmart, Staples and Radio Shack have supported this program.
Alkaline batteries and zinc carbon batteries must be delivered to hazardous waste management (HHW) centers. A clock battery containing silver (silver oxide) oxide can be recycled at the watch shop and jewelry store. You can also take it to a hazardous waste management center.
The same treatment must also be applied to portable electronic equipment batteries (PDAs, cameras and car alarms). Zinc-water batteries used in hearing aids must also be submitted to hazardous waste management centers.
Motor vehicle batteries contain toxic and corrosive chemicals that are very harmful to the environment. Throwing this type of battery into the trash can is illegal. Bring your old battery to the store where you bought the battery because they are required to recycle the battery.
3 lights
Fluorescent lamps (better known as TL lamps) are common or compact, far more environmentally friendly than traditional light bulbs. But when the TL lamp breaks, this lamp releases harmful chemicals, namely mercury (about 5 milligrams). Make sure you bring a used fluorescent lamp to a hazardous waste management center.
2 Smoke detector
First, identify your type of smoke detector. Ionization chamber smoke detectors (ICSD) use small amounts of ionized radiation to detect smoke.
Because it contains radioactive material, this detector is categorized as a hazardous material by the Fire Protection Agency. You must treat the waste very carefully.
After removing the battery from the smoke detector - read point # 3 for recycling the battery - send the smoke detector back to the manufacturer.
The supplier's address can be found on warranty paper or the user manual. Make sure you send it by land post, not airmail, because sending radioactive material by air is illegal.
If the manufacturer refuses, take your smoke detector to a hazardous waste management center in the neighborhood. Photoelectric smoke detectors that use photo and light sensors to detect smoke do not contain radioactive material and can be taken to ordinary electronic recycling centers (see point # 5).
Combined smoke detectors - which use ionization and photoelectric systems - contain small amounts of radioactive material and must be treated the same as ICSD.
1 Mercury thermometer
Today there are still many families that use mercury thermometers even though electronic thermometers are available on the market. The thermometer contains an average of 500 milligrams of mercury if it breaks, it will be harmful to health.
Mercury is a neurotoxin (nerve damage) that is dangerous especially for pregnant women and children because it can damage the development of the nervous system of children and babies who are still in the womb.
Some states in the US such as New York, California and Connecticut have banned the sale of these thermometers. You should bring this thermometer to a hazardous waste treatment center.
In some areas, you can even exchange your mercury thermometer with an electronic thermometer.