Residents will often stop by or call either the Environmental Department or the landfill to find out how to dispose of items they no longer want or need. This past month we certainly have heard many questions about recycling and disposal.

Prescription bottles, radios, alarm clocks and VHS tapes are all trash. They are not recyclable. Even though prescription bottles have the plastic resin code on them, they are too small to be recycled and often fall through the equipment.

Microwave ovens go to the landfill only. Residents can dispose of them at the landfill for a fee. Televisions, tablets or other similar items should be brought to either the landfill or the Household Hazardous Waste facility in Marshall for recycling. These items should not go into the trash or into recycling. There is a fee for televisions. The Household Hazardous Waste facility does not take any appliances.

Broken windows or other glass that did not come from an empty food container such as broken dishes, candle containers, automotive glass and similar items are all trash. The broken windows could potentially go to the landfill as construction demolition items. Candle containers could be reused to make new candles.

Mattresses and box springs that are clean, dry and free of bedbugs can be brought to the Household Hazardous Waste facility for a fee. If they are filthy, wet or have bedbugs they have to go to the landfill for a much higher fee. They cannot go into trash or recycling.

Fire extinguishers from homeowners can be brought to the Household Hazardous Waste facility for free. They cannot go into the recycling bins. The containers, if empty, can be thrown away.

Outdated medication of any kind (prescription or over the counter) can be brought to HyVee Pharmacy drop off area, the Lyon County Law Enforcement center, or the Tracy Police Department. Please leave items in bottles for transport and do not take medications out of the bottle and place into a baggie. Your privacy will be maintained at these facilities. They should not go into the trash or recycling bins.

Printer ink cartridges can go to Goodwill, Lyon County Household Hazardous Waste facility or Lynd School for free. Please do not place them into the recycling bins.

Plastic shopping bags should be reused whenever possible. Otherwise, Walmart and HyVee have containers for them to be returned to the stores. Please do not place them into the recycling bins. Please consider using reusable shopping bags whenever possible.

Shredded paper can be brought to the Household Hazardous Waste facility for free. It must be bagged in a white or clear trash bag, and tied shut. Shredded paper can be thrown away in the trash or it can also be composted. Please do not place shredded paper into recycling bins.

Rigid Styrofoam can be thrown away in the trash or it can be brought to the Household Hazardous Waste facility for free. Please do not place Styrofoam into recycling bins.

Broken furniture, furnace filters, speakers, small appliances such as mixers, blenders, toasters, box fans, and crockpots are all trash. If you have good furniture, please contact the ReStore to see if they can take your items.

Treadmills can go into the metal box at the landfill or go to Alter Metal.

Sharps containers that are full can be brought to the Household Hazardous Waste facility for free. We do not accept sharps (needles) that are not in approved containers. The Household Hazardous Waste facility and many of our local pharmacies sell the approved sharps containers.

Unwanted clothing or other textiles such as curtains, sheets or towels can go to any of our numerous thrift stores. Please consider donating these items and not throwing them away. Please make sure items are clean before dropping them off. If you have items that are worn, Goodwill may accept them to make them into rags. Call them for details before going. The number one item that is often seen at the landfill during spring clean up is clothing!

For more information about reusing, reducing, recycling and disposing, please call our office at (507) 532-8210 or contact the landfill at (507) 865-4615. Residents can also find information on the county website at www.lyonco.org/environmental.