Items We All Dispose of the Wrong Way
We all have those moments when we flush something down the toilet, toss something in the trash, or shove something into storage without a second thought - only to find out later it was a bad idea. Oops. Let’s dive into 35 things you’re not supposed to flush, toss, or store, but probably do anyway. Maybe this will help you stop!
Wipes (Even “Flushable” Ones)
They say “flushable,” but your plumbing and sewer system would strongly disagree. These wipes don’t break down like toilet paper and can clog pipes like nobody’s business. You might not see the problem now, but your plumber will.
Old Paint Cans
We all have that half-full paint can in the garage sitting there just in case. But storing paint cans too long - especially in hot garages or damp basements - can cause leaks, rust, or fire hazards. Most towns have special drop-offs where you can get rid of them, so use those.
Grease or Cooking Oil
Pouring grease down the drain feels harmless - until it cools, hardens, and clogs your pipes like disgusting bacon fat in your arteries. Even with hot water, it builds up over time. The better move? Pour it into a jar or can, let it solidify, and then toss it in the trash.
Expired Medications
A lot of folks flush old pills down the toilet without thinking twice. But they don’t just vanish - they end up in water systems, harming wildlife and possibly affecting drinking water. That’s really bad, obviously. Ask your pharmacy about disposing of them safely.
Batteries
Tossing used batteries in the trash is still surprisingly common, but it’s not safe. The chemicals inside can leak into landfills and cause serious damage to the environment. Instead, most electronics stores or city recycling centers have special bins for battery disposal.
Coffee Grounds
Flushing coffee grounds down the sink might seem harmless, but they tend to clump and settle, creating blockages in your pipes and a pain for your plumber. Instead, toss them in the compost or your garden - they’re great for plants!
Plastic Bags
Tossing plastic bags in the trash can cause major problems. They don’t break down and can clog machinery at recycling centers. Even worse is flushing them down the toilet – can you believe some people actually do this? What you should do is take the plastic bags to a recycling center.
Dryer Lint
Dryer lint is super flammable and can cause fires if stored in large amounts. Throwing it in the trash is fine in small quantities, but don’t flush it or keep it piled up. That's a really bad idea.
Food Scraps
Some people still flush food scraps down the toilet and they really shouldn’t. It clogs the plumbing and messes up treatment plants. Toss leftovers in the trash or compost if you can. Or even better, store them in your fridge for later meals.
Hair
As you probably know, hair tends to form nasty clumps that clog drains and pipes. We all lose strands in the shower, but purposely tossing hair in the sink or toilet is a recipe for plumbing catastrophe. Use a drain catcher and toss the collected hair in the trash instead.
Cigarette Butts
People often think it’s fine to toss cigarette butts on the ground or in the trash, but they contain toxic chemicals that harm the environment. And definitely don’t flush them! Use designated disposal containers… or think about quitting.
Chewing Gum
Please stop using your toilet as a waste disposal. Chewing gum doesn’t dissolve in water, so flushing it is a terrible idea. It can clog pipes and sewage systems. Toss it in the trash instead and avoid having to explain to an expensive plumber what you’ve been doing.
Disposable Razors
Flushing or tossing disposable razors in the trash without a container is dangerous - they can injure sanitation workers for a start. Wrap them up safely or recycle through special programs if available. If you don’t know where to find these, ask!
Food Packaging
People often toss food wrappers or plastic containers into recycling or garbage bins without checking. Some aren’t recyclable or need special handling. It’s worth checking your local rules to avoid contaminating all the other recycling.
Expired Cosmetics
Storing old makeup and skincare can lead to unpleasant bacteria growth within it, and skin irritation when you try to use it. Plus, tossing expired cosmetics down the drain can pollute water. Best to toss old products in the trash and avoid storing them past their shelf life.
Paper Towels
It’s tempting to flush paper towels, but you shouldn’t. Paper towels don’t break down like toilet paper, so flushing them can cause major clogs. They’re great for cleaning up spills, but once used, they belong in the trash, not the toilet.
Dental Floss
Dental floss looks harmless, but it’s basically a tiny plastic string that can tangle up in pipes and sewer systems. Flushing it can cause blockages and is a big no-no. Just toss your used floss in the trash instead.
Kitty Litter
Pets and bathrooms don’t mix. Even if it says “flushable,” kitty litter is a plumbing nightmare. It clumps and sticks inside pipes, leading to expensive repairs. Always bag it and toss it in the trash - even if it feels tempting to flush.
Cotton Balls and Swabs
These fiddly little bathroom things don’t dissolve in water. Flushing them risks clogging your plumbing and sewage treatment systems. Toss them in the trash and avoid flushing - your drains will thank you and so will the emergency plumbing part of your bank account.
Leftover Paint Thinner or Solvents
These chemical leftovers are hazardous waste and should never be poured down the drain or tossed in the trash. Most communities have hazardous waste collection days, so take advantage of those and keep your water safe.
Expired Food
Some people accidentally end up storing expired food for ages in their pantry, because they just don’t check the labels of things. Don’t be that person! Expired food can attract pests and create disgusting smells. Toss old food regularly and keep your kitchen fresh and clean.
Electronics
Old phones, chargers, and other electronics tossed in regular trash leak harmful chemicals into landfill sites. Many electronics stores offer recycling programs, so take advantage of those. Don’t just stash them in drawers or trash - dispose responsibly.
Nail Polish
You may not know this, but old nail polish is flammable and toxic. Storing it for years or tossing it in the trash is a bad idea. Check for hazardous waste drop-offs in your area or donate unopened polish to friends or art projects if it’s still new and un-clumped.
Plastic Straws
Plastic straws have been an environmental headache for years. Flushing straws down the toilet can cause blockages, and tossing them in regular trash just adds to landfill waste. The best move? Switch to reusable metal or bamboo straws.
Used Cooking Foil
Used cooking foil is tricky because many people think they can toss it straight into the recycling bin. The problem? If it’s greasy or covered in food, it contaminates the whole batch of recyclables. That means the whole load could end up in a landfill instead of being recycled. The right way to dispose of it is to rinse off any food residue and smooth it out if possible.
Plastic Utensils
Plastic forks, knives, and spoons are super convenient but don’t belong in your regular trash or flushed down the toilet - yes, some folks really do that. They don’t break down and often end up clogging pipes or piling up in landfills.
Paint Brushes With Dried Paint
Leaving paint brushes with dried paint in storage sounds harmless, but over time, they become a sticky mess and impossible to clean. Tossing them in the trash without proper drying can be hazardous, too. The best bet? Let the paint dry fully before disposal or check if your local hazardous waste program accepts them.
Expired Food Supplements
Those vitamins and supplements hanging around after their expiration date aren’t safe to use, and flushing them or tossing them in the trash can leak chemicals into the environment. Visit your local pharmacy and hand them over there to be safely disposed of.
Wax Candles
Old candles can melt and create sticky messes in storage, so don’t leave them there. And flushing candle wax is a big plumbing no-no, as it can clog pipes like crazy. Instead, let candles burn down completely or dispose of leftover wax in the trash wrapped in paper to avoid messes.
Paper Receipts
You may not know this, but receipts are often coated with BPA or other chemicals that aren’t great for the environment. Flushing or composting them can release toxins into the environment. Best to just put them in the trash… or switch to digital receipts.
Styrofoam
Styrofoam is a nightmare for the environment and it’s everywhere, even in takeout containers. It’s non-biodegradable and breaks into tiny harmful pieces that pollute land and water. Many places don’t accept it for recycling, so check local rules or look for special disposal programs.
Disposable Diapers
Flushing diapers is a huge plumbing disaster waiting to happen. Diapers don’t break down and can seriously ruin your plumbing. Always dispose of diapers in a sealed trash bag and consider eco-friendly alternatives if you want to reduce waste.
Plastic Bottle Caps
Plastic caps are small but cause big problems in recycling. If left on bottles, they can contaminate your recycling; if tossed in the trash they go to landfill. Always check your local recycling rules - some ask you to leave caps on, some ask to remove them - but never flush them down the toilet.
Old Electronics Chargers and Cables
Those tangled piles of old phone chargers and cables often get shoved into drawers or trash bins. Tossing them in the trash is bad for the environment since they contain metals and plastics that don’t break down. Look for electronics recycling events or stores that accept old cables to keep them out of landfills.
Disposable Contact Lenses
It’s tempting to just flush your daily contact lenses down the toilet or sink, but they don’t dissolve and can contribute to microplastic pollution in water. Instead, toss used lenses in the trash and know that you’re helping save the fish.
