THIS IS A TRUE PUBLIC SERVICE! Nobody wants to break the law out of ignorance.

If you live in Alabama, you should know about this...OR these items you are prohibited from throwing in the trash.

95.3 The Bear logo
Get our free mobile app

Who knew that what we throw in the trashcan could get us in trouble? The thought has never crossed my mind.

I had no clue that these things were ILLEGAL to toss in the trash in Alabama.

I'm betting many of you didn't know these things are ILLEGAL to throw away in Alabama.

So, if you decide to do some deep cleaning, be careful not to throw these FIVE things away:

Photo by Aoumeur Abderrahmen on Unsplash
Photo by Aoumeur Abderrahmen on Unsplash
loading...

HOUSEHOLD BATTERIES

Here are the main battery types:

  • Alkaline Batteries – safe to throw away, but preferable to recycle in Alabama.
  • Lithium Batteries – safe to throw away, but preferable to recycle in Alabama.
  • Button Batteries – these contain hazardous materials like silver oxide and mercuric oxide. Should be disposed of as household hazardous waste.
  • Nickel-cadmium and Lead-Acid Batteries – are often considered hazardous waste but may be recyclable in some locations.
  • Nickel-metal-hydride batteries – are considered safe to throw away in many states, but do contain some metals and materials considered hazardous in large quantities.  Best to recycle whenever possible.
Photo by Alexander Grey on Unsplash
Photo by Alexander Grey on Unsplash
loading...

DRUGS/PHARMACEUTICALS

You can't trash/flush unwanted or expired prescription drugs. Believe it or not, they can end up in places that we would not want them to be found inside. Including the water supply. In addition, they are a risk to all aquatic life.

Photo by John Cameron on Unsplash
Photo by John Cameron on Unsplash
loading...

ELECTRONICS

You're required to dispose of electronic devices responsibly. Now, Alabama does NOT have a program (unlike many states) to dispose of E-Waste. In these cases, again, it's all about the batteries. In most tablets/smartphones, you can not remove the battery from the device. Those batteries are the concern.

Photo by Robert Laursoo on Unsplash
Photo by Robert Laursoo on Unsplash
loading...

MOTOR OIL

For starters: It’s flammable and toxic and can't be poured down the drain. So, you can take it to your local automotive repair place or gas station, and they should take it and properly dispose of it. In addition, places such as  Auto Zone or other big automotive retailers will help take it off your hands. How'd you get it on your hands in the first place?

Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash
Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash
loading...

TIRES

They are bad and banned at the majority of landfills in the USA. According to MSN.com, car tires contain steel belts that can puncture landfills and contaminate the environment. When you get your tires changed at a shop, they should take your old ones (there may be a small fee).

LOOK: Baby names losing popularity in the 21st century

Stacker took a look at the names losing popularity in the 21st century, using data from the Social Security Administration.

Gallery Credit: Stacker

LOOK: 50 cozy towns to visit this winter

Stacker created a list of 50 cozy American towns to visit each winter. Towns were selected based on visitor opinions, ratings from nationwide publications, and tourist attractions.

Gallery Credit: Laura Ratliff

LOOK: This is where homes are selling the fastest right now

Stacker compiled a list of the metros where houses are selling the fastest, according to data from Redfin.

Gallery Credit: Stacker

More From 95.3 The Bear