Knowing where to take "stuff" when cleaning out your house can prevent environmental harm, safety issues, or unnecessary waste. Follow the link to learn how to reduce your impact by disposing of materials correctly…
It’s that time of year when we like to declutter. However, improper disposal of our stuff can mean harmful trash and substances end up where we don’t want it: the lakes we swim and fish in, the parks we play in, our drinking water, etc. Consider the following when doing your spring cleaning this year:
- Know what can't go into the trash. These Items Need to Stay Out of the Trash
- Can someone else use it? Many items, such as books and clothes, can be donated for further use with potential tax credits as a bonus. Garage sales are another option. Household Goods Donation
- Know what can go into your recycle bin. Items placed in the recycling bin that aren’t accepted by your hauler can end up directing a portion of your recycling to the land fill. What Can Go Into Your Bin
- Many substances and materials, such as household cleaners and car batteries, are considered household hazardous wastes and can still be recycled but needed to be dropped off at special locations. Household Hazardous Waste
- Do not dump old medications down the drain. Sewage treatment plants do not remove them, so they end up in the Mississippi River where they can harm wildlife, contaminate the fish we eat, or end up in someone’s drinking water. Drop off locations are located throughout the County. Medicine Disposal
- Yard waste needs to stay out of the trash. It can be composted or taken away by your trash hauler in special bins or compostable bags. There are several drop off locations throughout the county. Compost Sites
- Never dump substances down the stormdrain in your street or backyard. Stormdrains lead directly to the neighborhood pond or lake.
More in depth information can be found on the Dakota Valley Recycling website.