Ten Things That Are Illegal To Throw Away In Louisiana

Did you know dumpster diving is illegal in the state of Louisiana? What happens to one man's trash is another man's treasure? By the way, throwing trash in someone's dumpster is illegal in the Bayou State. Those are some crazy laws, but with all this trash-talking, on a more serious note, trash is bad for our planet.

It harms physical habitats, produces chemical pollutants, threatens marine life, and poisons our river and coastal environments. Did you know Americans produce more than 292.4 million tons of trash annually? According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency(EPA), that's not only a fact, but that number is rising. So, the bottom line is we need to cut back on how much we produce and be a lot more careful about the type of trash we throw away.

We probably should've been watching what we've been throwing away sooner, but it's never too late to start. The City of Lake Charles is helping us clean up our act by implementing a recycling initiative that can be used all over the city.  Keep Greater Lake Charles Beautiful—Team Green is on a mission to keep the city clean and keep the quality of the environment in Southwest Louisiana at its best.

Below is the Team Green City recycling schedule. If you need to dispose of any of the items listed, you have the information you need to do so safely.

The Green Guide is also a great resource to help you and your family recycle and reduce waste in your household. We toss food, paper products, and household items into the trash without much thought. But did you know some of those items can be dangerous and even illegal to throw away? Here are 10 things that should never wind up in a Louisiana landfill.

1. MOTOR OIL
If you change your oil or transmission fluid, never toss the used oil in the trash. It is a flammable and toxic substance that can contaminate water and soil. Instead, bring the used oil to your local automotive repair shop. They will know how to dispose of it, or they might clean and reuse it. Another option is to take it to a Household Hazardous Waste Facility (HHW).

2. PRESCRIPTION PILLS
Don’t flush unused medications down the toilet. They dissolve and bleed into the water supply and poison aquatic life. Instead, find a safe place to bring your old and unused prescriptions at disposemymeds.org.

3. PAINT
Leftover paint is not only poisonous but also highly flammable. Because of this, never throw it in a regular trash can. it must be disposed of safely. One option is to leave the can open until the remaining paint dries, then bring it to a recycling center that handles scrap metal. Alternatively, you can bring paint to your local Household Hazardous Waste Facility (HHW), which you can find by visiting Earth911.com.

4. PESTICIDES OR LAWN CHEMICALS
Never pour pesticide into a drain or throw it in a garbage bag. Chemical-based lawn and garden fertilizers and herbicides can harm living things and the broader ecosystem. Instead, take these chemicals to your local Household Hazardous Waste Facility (HHW.)

5. FLORESCENT LIGHT BULBS
It's okay to throw burnt-out incandescent bulbs in the trash, but fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) contain mercury. This hazardous element can’t be disposed of in the regular trash without negatively impacting the environment. Take old fluorescent light bulbs Household Hazardous Waste Facility (HHW.)

6. MOTHBALLS
There's a reason mothballs keep rats and snakes away. They are made out of toxic ingredients like naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene, aka poison. These tiny spheres are a pesticide that is so bad it can't be flushed down the toilet or tossed in with regular trash. Bring them to a Household Hazardous Waste Facility (HHW.)

7. Gasoline
Whether usable or not, gas is highly flammable and can damage and contaminate if disposed of improperly. When you want to get rid of it, you have a few options. Contact your local fire department or an area auto repair shop, and they will know what you can do with it. If you have a small amount, pour it into a government-certified/chemical-safe container and drop it off at the Household Hazardous Waste facility (HHW) in your area.

8. TIRES
You can dispose of your old tires at most tire retailers or a car dealership. Don't throw a tire in the trash. It's illegal. The steel belts inside a tire can puncture the liners in landfills and cause ground contamination. Most car dealers and tire retailers will recycle your old tires—typically for a price. Another option is to pay your trash service to pick them up.

9. ASBESTOS
It’s no secret that asbestos is a serious health risk. You should always let professionals remove the carcinogenic mineral. However, if you come in contact with it during a DIY project, you must properly dispose of it. Every state has specific instructions on how to get rid of it, but generally, you should double-wrap the material in plastic bags and label it.

10. FIREWORKS
It may seem obvious, but you should never throw fireworks in the trash, not even a dude, without proper preparation. To render gunpowder in a dud inert, you must soak it in water for at least 24 hours, then double-wrap it in plastic wrap or bags so it won’t dry out. Then, it can be disposed of in the regular trash. Check with your city to see if they take fireworks for disposal.