Trash Those Batteries and Running Shoes!
Check the bathroom counters and cabinets first. Any medication, whether it’s over the counter or prescription, should go if it’s out of date. Prescriptions given for a specific illness should be dumped if any remains after you feel better. OTC’s should be pitched if the expiration date has passed or if the consistency of the medication has changed. Make-up and cosmetic products should be replaced on a regular basis because cosmetics can serve as a fertile breeding ground for bacteria. Dispose of foundations after six months, lipsticks and powders after a year, mascara and liquid eye liners after three months, and eye shadows after six months. Throw away any makeup product that has become dirty, lumpy, or difficult to apply. Put cosmetics in trash but be sure to save any glass or plastic bottles for recycling.
The kitchen is another place where expiration dates make a difference. Prevent a cluttered fridge by making a weekly check. Discard items that are out of date or don’t seem fresh. The rule of thumb with perishable food product is “when in doubt, throw it out.” Do the same with pantry items as well – look for dates and discard if the date is long past. Although meat can be stored in the deep freeze longer than in a refrigerator, don’t keep most items more than a few months. Beef is best at less than six months storage time; check a cookbook for suggested dates on other meats.
Batteries make our world work but what can be done when they wear out and are replaced? Experts say never burn batteries in a trash can and while ordinary batteries can be placed in the trash for pickup, never throw rechargeables away. They contain toxic materials and should be taken to a battery collection site. Find out one nearby at www.rbrc.org.
If you wear glasses, you probably change glasses every few years. Optometrists suggest having an eye check up every two years. When the prescription changes, don’t keep old glasses around just in case. Instead, donate them to the local Lions Clubs International. The Lions clean, repair, and redistribute glasses to those who need them around the world. Another budget friendly option is to donate the lenses but save the frames for future use if the frames are in good shape.
Running shoes often cost big bucks so most of us hate to toss them. Rather than keep smelly, well-worn shoes in the closet, though, it’s best to replace them after 500 miles of use. At 500 miles, materials in the shoes actually begin to break down. Your feet no longer have any protection or the right support which could lead to injuries so toss old running shoes (and other styles as well) in the trash.
A good night’s sleep is important and that takes a mattress in good condition. Mattresses should be replaced every eight to ten years on the average. By that time, dirt, dust, and other allergens are imbedded into the mattress and can’t be removed. Some trash collectors will pick up used mattresses if notified in advance so check first with your trash provider. In some cases, the mattress store will pick up the old when the new one is delivered. To help make that new mattress provide optimum comfort be sure to flip it every three months for the life of the mattress.
Smoke alarms should be replaced after ten years. Check and change batteries monthly but after that first decade, smoke alarms are not reliable. If one fails a monthly check, toss it – don’t risk your family’s safety to a faulty device. Don’t discharge in your normal trash but take used smoke alarms to a household hazardous waste center. If you don’t know where one is in your area, check online at www.earth911.org.
Nothing brightens up the home like a fresh coat of paint inside or out but when the job is done, most folks find they have paint left over. It’s tempting to keep the paint around for possible touchups or for another project but its best not to do so. Paint can become a fire hazard if it’s not stored properly and latex paints begin to break down when exposed to freezing temperatures. Like smoke alarms, paint must be disposed of properly so check at www.earth911.org to find the location nearest you.
Old clothing that is in good repair but doesn’t fit or suit your present taste can be given to a homeless shelter or other charitable organization. The same goes for furniture, kitchen items, and other household items that are still good but that no longer have a place in your home.
For disposal of major appliances, check with trash providers or search online. Never dump major appliances without permission (heavy fines can be assessed for doing so) and always find an earth friendly outlet for the used machines.
Clearing the clutter can make your home comfortable but it’s important to dispose of items in an earth friendly way! Working together we can help make our planet last for an eternity!
