10 Common Items You Should Never Throw in the Trash

We all throw things away, but some items should never go in the trash. These things can harm the environment, damage your home, or even hurt people. They may also cause fires or leak dangerous materials. Here are 10 common items you should avoid tossing in your regular trash, and what you can do instead. 1. Electronics Old phones, TVs, laptops, and chargers contain harmful materials like lead and mercury. These can leak into soil and water when they end up in a landfill. What you can do: Take them to an electronics recycling center. Many stores also accept old electronics for recycling. 2. Batteries From small batteries to car batteries, these can leak acid or even explode if thrown in the trash. Battery acid is dangerous to people and pets. What you can do: Drop them off at a battery recycling point or your local hazardous waste center. 3. Paint and Paint Cans Paint often contains harmful chemicals. Even dried-out cans may have leftover paint inside that should not go into...