The easiest and most common thing to do when something is no longer useful is to throw it away, and then most of us just forget that the object even existed. But your garbage undergoes a whole cycle that not many people know about (dividing, recycling, etc). However, not all objects can be “thrown away” just like that. Some of the most common things we use every day, like batteries or cosmetics, are tremendously toxic and can actually have a big environmental impact if not treated properly. Some others, like hair or food scraps, can be reused without necessarily having to be treated by experts.

In both cases, it’s important for people to know what to do with their trash and raise awareness about the fact that an object isn’t just gone once you put it in the bin. That’s why Bright Side made a list of household waste that deserves special attention.

1. Lighters

Lighters contain gases that are used to generate fire by means of a friction mechanism that causes sparks. It’s already a particularly dangerous object to have, let alone to store. It can’t just be kept in just any place, especially if this place is subject to high temperatures. On top of that, the gas inside all lighters is harmful to the environment, so it cannot be disposed of in the same way as any other waste.

It’s because of all those reasons that they can’t be thrown into a landfill. In theory, you shouldn’t even throw them into containers for recyclable products. It’s best to consult with an NGO or to look for places specifically meant to handle this type of waste. And once you got rid of your disposable lighter, you might want to consider getting a rechargeable one to reduce the impact your activities have on the environment.

2. Cosmetics

Many paints that are or were commonly sold in the market contain materials like lead, which is harmful to the environment. That’s why it’s important to avoid disposing of containers that still contain traces of these types of chemicals in regular waste bins. The best thing to do is to send them to organizations dedicated to the treatment of toxic waste. That and, of course, to opt for the use of natural pigments that do not have a great impact on the environment whenever that’s possible.

4. Hair

Filters are the perfect way of purifying water supplied to households and to finally get rid of bottled water altogether. But after a lot of use, filters no longer retain harmful substances, which means they must be replaced immediately, but also that you have to make sure to discard them in a special way. Fortunately, many companies take in used filters so that you can exchange them for new ones and avoid environmental pollution.

7. Coffee pods

The problem with coffee capsules, depending on the materials used to make them, is that they are not easily recyclable. For instance, in the UK authorities do not collect them due to the mix of materials, concerns over size in relation to sorting equipment, and contamination from coffee grounds. Some companies offer the possibility of collecting/dropping used capsules at their stores, while others choose to make them with compostable materials. In any case, you can also choose to make crafts with them and give them a use that is different from their main purpose. You could choose to use a reusable coffee pod.

8. Batteries

Some batteries can contain mercury and manganese, which are toxic and harmful to both your health and the environment. That’s why, if they wear out due to constant use, you should take them to special battery banks that are made for discarding these types of goods. Also, always make sure your batteries are safe to handle. Broken batteries can be unsafe and could cause mercury poisoning.

In any case, if you want to reduce your consumption of alkaline and common batteries, a good solution could be to buy rechargeable batteries. Many of these actually come in the same size and format as traditional batteries, so you can place them in your electronic devices without any problem. You can easily recharge them too by just connecting to your regular electrical outlet when they start to run out of power after a while.

9. Sprays

Computers, radios, or any electronic device or appliance could contain internal components that can be reused to a greater or lesser extent, depending on how much they’ve worn out. However, once the whole device has stopped working, you should dispose of it at a collection facility to ensure that it is treated properly and does not end up polluting the environment. As a consumer, you can also play a part by buying from brands that don’t practice planned obsolescence and that support repairing and refurbishing old devices.

Do you have waste at home that you cannot just dispose of like everything else? What measures do you take to treat them properly and avoid any environmental or health problems?