Many common household items should never be thrown in your regular trash, because they can be dangerous to you, city workers, and the environment. Some are toxic, like chemicals; some can cause fires, like batteries or aerosol cans; others pose health risks, like old tires; and some may explode, like car batteries.
The way to dispose of these common household chemicals is to use them up before throwing the empty bottle away.
This guide will help Presidio residents understand what items are hazardous, why they are dangerous, and how to safely dispose of them.
🔋Batteries🪫
Batteries of all types should not be thrown away, as they are a fire and explosion risk if crushed or damaged, which can cause a large fire if they happen to catch fire in our landfill.
You can dispose of old and dysfunctional car batteries at our local AutoZone. While you can dispose of other battery types in ???
Examples of these batteries include:
-
Car batteries (lead-acid)
-
Lithium-ion (phones, laptops, power tools)
-
AA / AAA / button batteries
-
Rechargeable packs
🧪Hazardous Chemicals ⚠️
Household chemicals can harm you, sanitation workers, and the environment, and some can produce dangerous gases if mixed. Never pour them down the drain or throw them in the trash.
As we don’t currently have any place to get rid of chemical waste, the best course of action is to use up the chemicals for their intended purpose. In the case of paint, let it dry before disposing of it in the trash.
Below are some types of chemicals:
-
Paints, stains, varnishes
-
Solvents, thinners
-
Pesticides, herbicides
-
Pool chemicals
-
Strong cleaners (bleach, ammonia)
-
Drain cleaners
🛢Liquids ⛽
Many household liquids, especially automotive fluids, are toxic and flammable. Never pour them down the drain or throw them in the trash.
Used Motor Oil can be stored in empty motor oil bottles and given to our local AutoZone for disposal. Unfortunately, Presidio doesn’t have any place to get rid of other chemicals.
Examples of liquids below:
-
Motor oil
-
Gasoline
-
Antifreeze
-
Brake fluid
-
Oil-based paint
-
Fuel
Tires
Old tires should never be thrown in the trash. They are a fire hazard and can trap water, creating mosquito breeding grounds. For this reason, you should not keep tires around your yard.
The good news is that our city of Presidio has a tire dump, where you can dump your old tires. The place doesn’t appear in Google Maps, but it is near our Animal Shelter, and you can see it when crossing through Stockyard Road
Otherwise, you can dispose of your tires with Rohana Auto Service for 5$ per tire.
🖨Electronics📱
Electronics should not be thrown away due to them still being valuable. They also may contain lead, and their lithium batteries are harmful to the environment.
You can get rid of old electronic devices in the Recycling Center, or in the Olivas Junk Yard.
You can also exchange old phones for new ones with your service provider or at least get a discount.
-
TVs, monitors
-
Computers, laptops
-
Phones, tablets
-
Printers
-
Cords and chargers
-
Small appliances with circuit boards
🧯Pressurized Items
Pressurized containers can explode if punctured or crushed, and some contain flammable gases. It is always required to release the pressure safely before disposal.
These Items include:
-
Propane tanks
-
Aerosol cans
-
Fire extinguishers
-
Gas cylinders
Batteries of all types should not be thrown away, as they are a fire and explosion risk if crushed or damaged, which can cause a large fire if they happen to catch fire in our landfill.
You can dispose of old and dysfunctional car batteries at our local AutoZone. While you can dispose of other battery types in ???
Examples of these batteries include:
-
Car batteries (lead-acid)
-
Lithium-ion (phones, laptops, power tools)
-
AA / AAA / button batteries
-
Rechargeable packs
Household chemicals can harm you, sanitation workers, and the environment, and some can produce dangerous gases if mixed. Never pour them down the drain or throw them in the trash.
As we don’t currently have any place to get rid of chemical waste, the best course of action is to use up the chemicals for their intended purpose. In the case of paint, let it dry before disposing of it in the trash.
Below are some types of chemicals:
-
Paints, stains, varnishes
-
Solvents, thinners
-
Pesticides, herbicides
-
Pool chemicals
-
Strong cleaners (bleach, ammonia)
-
Drain cleaners
Many household liquids, especially automotive fluids, are toxic and flammable. Never pour them down the drain or throw them in the trash.
Used Motor Oil can be stored in empty motor oil bottles and given to our local AutoZone for disposal. Unfortunately, Presidio doesn’t have any place to get rid of other chemicals.
Examples of liquids below:
-
Motor oil
-
Gasoline
-
Antifreeze
-
Brake fluid
-
Oil-based paint
-
Fuel
Old tires should never be thrown in the trash. They are a fire hazard and can trap water, creating mosquito breeding grounds. For this reason, you should not keep tires around your yard.
The good news is that our city of Presidio has a tire dump, where you can dump your old tires. The place doesn’t appear in Google Maps, but it is near our Animal Shelter, and you can see it when crossing through Stockyard Road
Otherwise, you can dispose of your tires with Rohana Auto Service for 5$ per tire.
Electronics should not be thrown away due to them still being valuable. They also may contain lead, and their lithium batteries are harmful to the environment.
You can get rid of old electronic devices in the Recycling Center, or in the Olivas Junk Yard.
You can also exchange old phones for new ones with your service provider or at least get a discount.
-
TVs, monitors
-
Computers, laptops
-
Phones, tablets
-
Printers
-
Cords and chargers
-
Small appliances with circuit boards
Pressurized containers can explode if punctured or crushed, and some contain flammable gases. It is always required to release the pressure safely before disposal.
These Items include:
-
Propane tanks
-
Aerosol cans
-
Fire extinguishers
-
Gas cylinders