If you are relocating locally, you may have local trash and recycling pickup. If you only have a few items, you can set them out at the curbside for pickup. But if you have more, you may need a company that helps to take your garbage to the local landfill. Most landfills have special areas for household items, recycling, breakables, and electronics.
Expired medicine
Expired medicines are not recyclable, so it is important to properly dispose of them. There are several drug take-back programs offered through pharmacies, government agencies, and community groups that will dispose of your unwanted medications safely and responsibly. Alternatively, you can pour your unwanted medications into a plastic bag and seal it tightly. You can also add materials to the bag that make the medication less appealing to those who want to use it.
Expired medicines are classified as hazardous pharmaceutical waste because they may contain corrosive, toxic, or reactive components. While it used to be acceptable to flush old drugs down the toilet, studies show that this method is not completely safe. In fact, many substances from medications are ending up in waterways, including cardiac medications, hormones, and antibiotics. Those compounds are difficult for water treatment facilities to remove before they reach the environment, so throwing them away is a big risk.
Expired chemistry sets
If you have expired chemistry sets in your laboratory, you should know what to do with them. Many manufacturers will print an expiration date on the chemicals. The best way to avoid wasting chemicals is to dispose of them before they go bad. Even if you do not plan on using the chemistry sets for long, you should still dispose of them because expired chemicals can pose a health and safety risk.
Hazardous materials
Many household products are hazardous and need to be disposed of properly. For example, paints, cleaners, batteries, and pesticides can all be considered HHW by the EPA. Fortunately, many communities now have collection programs to help residents get rid of HHW safely.
To dispose of hazardous waste safely, you have to follow federal and state laws. First, you must obtain a permit under RCRA. RCRA also requires generators to meet strict requirements for handling, managing, and tracking hazardous waste. The EPA is the federal agency responsible for establishing the regulations, but states have their own rules.
Once you have an appointment, you can take your household hazardous waste to an approved transfer facility. Make sure you bring your identification and a recent bill showing your name and address.
Using a junk removal service
When using a dumpster service, you should be sure to inquire about how the company disposes of the items it collects. A good company will make sure to recycle or donate some of the items, or take them to an environmentally friendly facility. Whether these dumpsters rental are available in your area is up to you, but it is always better to choose a company that practices environmental stewardship.
Before hiring a junk removal service, you should get a quote. It is best to ask about the pricing upfront, as well as availability, and how much junk you have. A good service should have no problem providing you with a quote that includes an estimate, but you should still ask about the services.