It’s Illegal To Toss These 5 Items Out In Texas

(Texas) We don't really pay attention to exactly how much trash we produce every day. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, we generate about 4.9 pounds of trash per day per person. That's a lot of garbage.

Everyday Items That Add to Waste

It adds up quickly when you think about it. Fast food containers, wrappers, cups, bags, and straws all become refuse. Your Coke bottle and candy bar wrapper become trash. The boxes that your online order arrived in at your front door turn into trash, along with the packaging your items are wrapped in. Not to mention the receipts, paperwork in the office, and paper towels we use to dry our hands with in the restroom.

When you think about it, it’s easy to see how we create that much trash daily, while other people create even more.

Get our free mobile app

Why Spring Cleaning Increases Waste

Now, at this time of year, many East Texans are going through their closets and garages, getting rid of clutter they no longer need. Whether it's clothing, old paint cans, unused exercise equipment, old electronics, or toys the kids have outgrown, we're throwing it out. Spring cleaning and purging are happening all around.

While you're piling things up to throw away, just know that in Texas, there are things you can't put in the garbage to wait for regular trash pickup. Nor can you pile them up in your truck and take them to your local landfill. Certain items must be recycled in specific ways.

READ MORE --> Is It Illegal To Collect and Recycle Rainwater In Texas? Here's The Truth

What You Can’t Throw Away in Texas

Before we get to the list of things that can't be thrown away in Texas, most of us know that placing tires and paint in the trash is bad for the environment and illegal. So we don't do it, right? There are proper ways to dispose of unwanted paint and unused tires.

Proper Ways to Dispose of Restricted Items

When it comes to certain types of batteries, you might be surprised to learn that Texas law requires businesses that sell these batteries to accept your old ones when you purchase a new one. (Take Care Of Texas) That's why our local auto parts retailers are set up to receive our old batteries; it's because they are set up to recycle them for us.

Please don't go around Texas throwing bags of trash or dump unwanted furniture, mattresses, household items, and junk on county roads either. You can be fined. Illegal dumping in Texas is considered a serious crime, and you can pay a hefty fine for dumping your trash illegally.

Now let's take a look at the things you can never throw away in Texas, and that must be properly recycled.