Start the new year with a home clear of clutter. Whether you have chemicals you don’t use, old technology or miscellaneous junk, get some tips and tricks to make your life clutter-free.
Hazardous
Not all chemicals can be discarded the same way. Follow these guidelines for disposing of chemicals:
- Check for safety instructions on product labels to find the disposal directions.
- Check your local city or county website to dispose of your items at the next scheduled household chemical hazardous waste event.
- Be mindful, as cities and counties advise against disposing household chemicals down the drain or in curbside bins.
- Be careful about reusing empty containers because they may still have chemical residue.
- Ensure the original container is sealed if it’s safe to throw in the trash.
Electronic devices
Donating and recycling electronic devices like computers, smartphones and gaming consoles can help prevent environmental pollution and conserve natural resources. If you’re recycling these items, remove the batteries and refer to call2recycle for local retailers that accept batteries for recycling.
Check your city or county for nearby recycling facilities or local landfills. Many cities and counties offer hazardous waste disposal days, where you can bring hazardous waste products, appliances, batteries, etc. These days offer safe and easy ways to dispose of your electronic waste.
Store stuff safely
We often store miscellaneous clutter in bins or place items in apparently convenient spots. Those locations can eventually become inconvenient. Never put yourself in a dangerous position when attempting to reach items stored on high shelves. Always grab a step stool or ladder and safely use it to reach for items in high spots.
If you want to reach something at the bottom of a stack, safely remove the items on top 1st. Never pull the object at the bottom of the stack out 1st since this can cause the items on top to fall over.
Don’t pass up an opportunity to clean and declutter your home. Start the new year by going from clutter to clarity safely.
