What Items Cannot Be Disposed in the Trash?

Not everything belongs in the trash. Many common household items require special handling to protect your family, your community, and the environment.

Use this guide to learn what items are not accepted in regular garbage collection and how to dispose of them properly.

Hazardous Materials

These materials cannot safely enter the regular waste stream. Throwing them in the trash puts waste handlers at risk and can cause lasting damage to Indiana's soil, water, and air quality. Each item requires a specific disposal method outlined below.

Once a common component in insulation, floor tiles, roofing, and other building materials, asbestos is now known to be a serious health hazard. When these materials are disturbed, they release tiny airborne fibers that can cause severe lung disease when inhaled. Removal and disposal must always be carried out by a licensed abatement professional. Contact the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) or your local health department for more information.

Household chemicals such as cleaners, solvents, and degreasers can be corrosive, reactive, or toxic. Improper disposal can contaminate soil and water supplies. Do not pour chemicals down the drain or place them in your regular trash. Dispose of them through your local household hazardous waste (HHW) program or facility.

Fireworks can be placed in regular trash when disposed of properly. Completely submerge fireworks in a large bucket of water and soak until thoroughly saturated. This may take 15 minutes for small fireworks or overnight for larger ones. Then double wrap the soaked fireworks in plastic wrap or two plastic bags so they do not dry out, and place in the household trash.

Ammunition, flares, and gunpowder cannot go in the trash. Contact your local police or fire department for more information.

Materials that ignite easily, such as lighter fluid, acetone, and other solvents, are dangerous when placed in garbage trucks or landfills due to heat and compression. Dispose of these through your local household hazardous waste (HHW) program or facility.

Latex paint can be placed at the curb for pickup but only in solid form. Dry out the latex paint by putting kitty litter, sand, or shredded paper in the can. Once it is solid, please place the cans next to your trash container with the lids removed.

Oil-based paint, liquid or solid, cannot be placed at the curb for pick up. It is hazardous waste.

Local hardware or paint stores may also have a paint recycling program in place for either type of paint.

Do not place pesticides with your garbage or recycling. Pouring these chemicals down the drain will have an effectively large, negative impact on the environment.  It is extremely important to dispose of pesticides in the proper manner. The best way to dispose of pesticides is through household hazardous waste (HHW) programs or facilities.

Pool chemicals can ignite and cause a fire if not properly disposed of. Pool chemicals sanitize and balance water in swimming pools. Many are highly corrosive and reactive; the best way to dispose of them is through household hazardous waste (HHW) programs or facilities.

Radioactive materials emit radiation that poses serious health risks to waste handlers and the public. This includes certain smoke detectors, medical devices, and industrial equipment. Contact the Indiana Department of Homeland Security or your local health department for proper disposal guidance.

Toxic materials are substances that can cause serious harm to humans, animals, and the environment when improperly discarded. This includes items such as heavy metals, certain industrial products, and other poisonous compounds. Dispose of toxic materials through your local household hazardous waste (HHW) program or facility.

Automotive

From used oil to old batteries, automotive waste contains fluids, metals, and chemicals that can cause serious harm when thrown in the trash. Many of these items have convenient recycling or drop-off options available at local auto parts stores and scrap yards.

Antifreeze contains levels of dissolved heavy metals that contaminate soil and sediment. It is extremely important not to dump used antifreeze on land, in a ditch, septic system, storm drain, sanitary sewer, and/or dry-well. This causes serious problems with water quality and has a high potential for harming wildlife, humans, and pets. The sweet smell of the main component, Ethylene Glycol, attracts animals; this toxin can kill them in very small doses if ingested.

Loose or large car parts such as bumpers, exhaust systems, and body panels are not accepted in regular trash due to their size and potential for containing hazardous residues like grease, oil, or fuel. Contact your local scrap yard or auto recycler, who will often purchase or accept these materials at no charge.

Car batteries cannot be recycled in curbside recycling programs and cannot be placed in your household garbage. However, car batteries can be recycled when brought back to auto parts stores or some scrap yards.

Engines contain a variety of hazardous fluids and materials including oil, coolant, and fuel residue. They are also too large and heavy for standard trash pickup. Contact a local auto recycler or scrap yard for proper disposal or recycling options.

As a highly flammable liquid, gasoline is one of the most hazardous materials that can end up in the trash. Improper disposal can contaminate water supplies, pollute the air, and create significant fire risks. Do not place gasoline at the curb. Contact your local fire department to find out about safe disposal options in your area.

Used motor oil is a hazardous material that can contaminate soil and groundwater if improperly disposed of. Never pour motor oil down a drain or on the ground. Many auto parts stores and service stations accept used motor oil for recycling at no cost.

Whole waste tires cannot be disposed of in Indiana landfills under Indiana Code 13-20-14-1. Improperly stockpiled or illegally dumped tires can trap rainwater and become breeding grounds for disease-carrying mosquitoes, and tire fires are difficult to extinguish and emit toxic gases into the air. Businesses that sell new tires at retail must accept waste tires from consumers who purchase new tires from them on a one-for-one basis. You can find additional waste tire recycling information through IDEM’s Recycle Indiana portal or contact your local municipality about tire collection events.

aerosol cans do not go in trash

Pressurized & Combustible Containers

Never dispose of compressed gas or flammable materials in your trash, even if the container seems empty. Small amounts of remaining contents can react to heat and pressure, causing fires or explosions that put waste collection drivers and handlers at risk.

Completely empty aerosol cans may be placed in your curbside recycling. However, aerosol cans that are not completely empty are considered hazardous due to the flammable propellants they contain. A partially full can could explode under pressure or heat in a garbage truck. For cans that still contain product, dispose of them through your local household hazardous waste (HHW) program.

Drums and cylinders contain compressed gas. Properly dispose of these items by contacting your village for programs that will safely remove these products from your home.

Fire extinguishers are pressurized containers that should never go in your regular trash. Many local fire departments accept old or expired extinguishers, and some retailers that carry them offer take-back programs as well. Contact your local municipality for disposal options available in your area.

Never place propane tanks in your garbage. Not only does it tremendously damage the environment, but it poses an extreme safety hazard to your disposal company drivers. There are several locations who offer trade-in and/or disposal programs including most Walgreens and Ace Hardware locations.

light bulbs and batteries not to be disposed of

Batteries & Bulbs

Not all batteries and bulbs can go in the trash. Many contain materials that are harmful to the environment when they end up in landfills or waterways. Local hardware and electronics stores often offer easy drop-off recycling options for these items.

These are your typical household batteries found in items like toys or flashlights. Alkaline batteries no longer are made with mercury and therefore are not considered hazardous. These batteries are allowed in your regular trash containers for disposal in the landfills. However, they should not be placed in your curbside recycle cart. To recycle alkaline batteries, drop them at your local electronic or hardware store.

Lithium batteries, rechargeable, or button batteries, should not be placed with your regular garbage or recycling. They will ignite and cause fires when crushed. Check with your local electronics or hardware store for battery recycling programs.

Throwing CFL or other fluorescent bulbs in a dumpster or landfill causes them to break, releasing materials that can be harmful to the environment. All parts of a fluorescent bulb are recyclable, making proper disposal both responsible and resourceful. Although bulb recycling falls outside of Trash Kans’ current recycling program, many local home improvement stores offer recycling drop-off programs for these items.

medicine and pill and syringe that do not go in the trash

Medical Waste

Medical waste generated at home cannot be mixed in with your regular household trash. Items like sharps, syringes, and lancets pose a serious injury and infection risk to waste handlers when placed in a standard garbage container, making proper disposal essential.

Biomedical waste includes items such as needles, syringes, lancets, and other sharps used for medical purposes at home. These items pose a serious injury and infection risk to waste handlers when placed in regular trash. Never place loose sharps in your garbage. Place them in an approved sharps container and contact your local health department or pharmacy for a drop-off or mail-back disposal program.

Many people don’t realize that medications are biologically active chemicals that can be harmful when thrown away or flushed down the drain. Improper disposal can contaminate local water supplies and create accidental exposure risks for children and pets. Look for a household medication take-back program in your area for safe and responsible disposal.

items with lithium batteries

Lithium Batteries

Never place lithium batteries, rechargeable batteries, button batteries, or devices that contain rechargable batteries in your trash or recycling cart. These batteries are prone to igniting when crushed, posing a significant fire risk to waste handlers and equipment. Most local electronics and hardware stores offer battery recycling drop-off programs.

Bulk Item Disposal

Have something too big for the trash cart? Trash Kans provides a special Bulk Item Pickup for large household items that cannot be placed in your curbside container. Give us a call at 765-447-9000 to get started.

Bulk Items Include: Mattresses and Box Springs, Furniture, Carpet, Pool Liners, Pool Tables, Hot Tubs, Basketball Hoop, Appliances, Washers/Dryers, Water Heaters, Dishwashers, and Stoves

We do not collect items with freon / refrigerant, including refrigerators and freezers.

bulk items for pickup