Out of sight, out of mind. That’s the approach 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 landfill or incinerator.

Times have changed, however, and today we’re more aware as a society about the consequences 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, fewer 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 dispose of unwanted items properly is crucial 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 garage clean out company Junk ITT can help you determine the best way to do it.

Infographic credit: Junk ITT

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