It’s Illegal in AZ to Toss These 20 Common Items in the Garbage

I'm starting to feel the urge to turn out closets and start tossing out the excess stuff in the garage. Looking around, I scratch my head. How is it possible for one family to accumulate so much junk?

Lately, if I'm not sure how to dispose of an item, I find a corner in a storage shed to store it until I magically get the information I need. As you can imagine, that information almost never comes my way - until now.

Items You Can't Throw in the Trash in Arizona

You probably already know that tossing certain items in the regular trash can be a big no-no. Some things are bad to toss out, but things are illegal because they can harm the environment. Here's what you should do instead.

Old Batteries

Your remote control is dead, and it's time to switch out those double AAs. What do you do with the old batteries?

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These little powerhouses contain heavy metals like lead and mercury, which can contaminate soil and water if not disposed of properly. Don't toss them in the trash—take them to a recycling center or a designated drop-off location.

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Old Paint

Alright, fine. How about that leftover paint from that home improvement project you finished five years ago? You're never going to use the leftovers to touch up the walls like you thought you would, but you can't hang onto it any longer.

What do you do with those old cans sitting around in the garage? You probably know paint is full of harmful chemicals, and they can leach into the environment. Find out if your community has a hazardous waste collection event or dedicated location where you can safely dispose of paint.

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Call your local dump - they may have a process for collecting and disposing of paint and solvents.

Old Electronics

Here are three more items that are illegal to throw away, but most people don't realize: electronics (like old phones and computers), motor oil, and pesticides. These items contain hazardous materials, and some components can leach into the water table if they're not disposed of correctly.

Here's the complete list of twenty items you can't just toss in the trash in Arizona. When in doubt, check out what OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) has to say about an item and make a decision from there.

[Maricopa County | AZDEQ | Local First AZ ]