When it comes to throwing things in the trash, far too many people don’t take a second look at what they’re getting rid of and the damage that it could potentially do. While throwing away most non-recyclable or biodegradable objects is relatively innocuous, some things can cause environmental damage if you don’t deal with them the right way.
To help people understand which things they should throw out and what belongs in a specialized recycling center, we’ve put together this handy guide. In it, we’ll discuss three of the most common household items that you need to recycle or have sent to the right place so that they don’t damage the ecosystem.
Televisions
TVs are one of the most common sources of E-waste in the world, and they can do plenty of damage to Earth if they aren’t recycled. However, there are other reasons why you may want to recycle a television, as it can also help reduce the strain on the world’s precious metals and other mineable resources.
Only about 15% of the gold used in electronics components gets recovered worldwide, while the rest of it is sent to landfills and incinerators. There are plenty of other elements that can be found in TVs, and most of them can be recycled and re-used in new electronics.
Refrigerators
Another household appliance that needs to be disposed of in the right way is the refrigerator. Refrigerators contain plenty of toxic chemicals that are legally required to be removed before they are recycled, and these include hazardous oils and coolants, explains Grease Cycle.
If these liquids are not disposed of properly, they can find their way into the ground and cause long-term damage. There is also plenty of steel in refrigerators that can be recycled, once again reducing the number of resources we need to keep pulling directly from the earth. Be sure to deal with your old refrigerators properly, as they can cause even more damage than E-waste like TVs.
Mattresses
Mattresses also need to be properly recycled, though there are many different types, and there are even some biodegradable mattresses now available on the market. Unfortunately, the majority of mattresses that are currently in use contain synthetic materials that can damage the environment as they begin to break down.
These materials create toxic substances as they decompose, and these substances find their way into the earth, affecting groundwater reserves and more. Do your part for the world by hiring a business like the Royal Junk Company to handle your mattresses and other potentially damaging waste.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are so many appliances and household items that need to be dealt with in the right way. Keep in mind that we’ve only scratched the surface when it comes to the most important things that you should recycle, so always think twice before you throw something out.