We throw away unneeded and unused items every day. Whether you throw them in a trash can and then take the trash to the big garbage bin at the end of the driveway, or burn your garbage. We're constantly getting rid of the trash that piles up in our daily lives.

Did you know there are some things you're not supposed to be throwing in your garbage? Other than things that can be recycled, there are some regular household items that don't belong in your trash can.

Electronics

According to Recyclenation, the state of Iowa only has requirements for businesses to follow federal rules on recycling electronics containing hazardous waste. However, that doesn't mean we shouldn't be trying to help out our local landfills.

Your old electronics can be repurposed or donated. If that is not an option for you, there are places you can bring these items to be safely recycled. According to Iowa DNR, EcoATM kiosks allow you to drop off old cell phones, tablets, and mp3 players, tvs, monitors, etc. These items contain arsenic, lead, and mercury, which can cause damage to landfills. There are 18 different locations in Iowa for you to safely ditch your old electronics.

Household Hazardous Materials 

You might have household cleaning items under your kitchen sink, in your bathroom, or out in your garage, and these do not belong in your garbage bin. Anything you might use to clean windows, clean off counters, or any kind of paint thinner, should be brought to a hazardous waste material drop-off location.

Regional Collection Centers help assist in safely disposing of these items. Anytime you see words such as danger, warning, caution, or poison, be sure to keep these out of your trash bin. Iowa DNR recommends finishing using these products if you have them and then using non-toxic alternatives in the future.

Old Medications 

It's always been recommended you finish your prescriptions when they are given to you. If you're taking a prescription and your symptoms are gone, it's important to remember that prescriptions are written for a length of time for a reason. If you're taking some kind of antibiotic, you'll need to finish these to kill any bacteria that may be lingering in your body, even if you feel fine or are symptom-free.

If for whatever reason you don't fully finish your prescription, don't throw them in the garbage or flush them down the toilet. They can end up in a water supply. If you're looking to get rid of them, you can call and ask your pharmacy to take them. If not there, are more than 300 Iowa community pharmacies, and centers that will help.

Old Tires

According to Iowa DNR, old tires can not be dumped, burned, shredded, or buried. The best thing you can do with your old tires is to give a tire shop a call and see if they will take them off your hands. You may have a small recycling fee. Whether you're caught or not throwing away old tires, it will come back to cost you either way.

Iowa DNR reports, the local government will be in charge of the cleanup which can cost you in taxes. If it doesn't cost you in taxes, you may find local governments having to spend more on the cleanup and therefore have less to spend on roadway maintenance, road construction, and other government programs and services.

It's always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to throwing things in the garbage. If for any reason you don't know if something can be placed in your trash can, visit the Iowa DNR website.