Batteries and fluorescent tubes are just two items that can no longer be put in your trash. Effective February 9, 2006, it became illegal to dispose of household batteries, cell phones and fluorescent light tubes and bulbs in the trash. Batteries include both rechargeable and single-use batteries of all sizes. These products, known as Universal Waste or U-Waste, contain heavy metals like cadmium, mercury, lead, and other toxic chemicals that can be harmful to people and the environment if put in the trash.
Other items banned from the landfill include electronic devices like computers, TVs, cell phones, and mercury-containing thermometers and thermostats.
