You may be familiar with the saying, “It is the right thing to do.” Throughout our week, we often engage in various actions simply because they align with this principle — whether it’s helping a neighbor, assisting a friend, or picking up litter that isn’t ours. There are countless examples of such as these.

The notion of “the right thing to do” also extends to how individuals and families manage items they no longer want or need. A straightforward way to reduce personal waste is to make thoughtful purchasing decisions and to avoid wasting what we acquire. It is essential to consider how we will dispose of items– particularly rechargeable batteries — once they are no longer useful.

Rechargeable batteries can greatly enhance our lifestyles, but they pose significant dangers when disposed of improperly. If compromised, they may ignite, making it imperative that they are never placed in regular trash or recycling bins. Numerous incidents have occurred at landfills and waste management facilities due to improperly disposed batteries, leading to catastrophic fires. In fact, one local waste hauler experienced the loss of a truck and the building in which it was housed due to such an incident.

If you or a loved one have accumulated a collection of batteries over the years, please reach out to us. While alkaline batteries can be discarded in the trash, if you are uncertain about the type of batteries you possess, we encourage you to bring them to us for assistance.

According to a recent report from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, 22% of potentially recyclable items are still being discarded as trash. If you are interested in recycling services and currently lack access, please contact us, and we will be happy to assist.

The report also reveals that approximately 30% of special collection items — such as car seats, hardcover books, mattresses, box springs, paint, and yard chemicals — are still being disposed of inappropriately. There are responsible disposal options available that do not involve landfilling. Please call us for details.

For residents with empty containers from yard and garden chemicals, oil, RV fluids, or household chemicals, these should be placed in the trash, as they are not recyclable.

Other plastic based materials and containers that we often find in recycling that are not recyclable include plastic plant pots, plastic lawn furniture, plastic decking, siding, and plastic sheeting. These items are trash only. The chasing arrows symbol with a number inside the triangle does not mean that item is recyclable. It only tells us what kind of plastic that item is made from. Please disregard this symbol when making recycling decisions.

If you are confused about plastic recycling, it is important to note that only clean, empty food containers or beverage containers can be recycled. All other plastic items must be discarded as waste. Residents with larger plastic items that do not fit in their trash carts can self-haul them to the landfill, which is open six days a week, or consult their local waste hauler for assistance.

Empty paint cans or those with dried paint can also be thrown away, as they are not recyclable. Many residents inadvertently bring items to the Household Hazardous Waste Facility that could have been disposed of much earlier.

Lyon County does not provide trash services. You will, however, find many drop points for recycling throughout the county. These containers are gray to brown in color, have five black doors on them, are labeled for recycling and are for mixed recycling (paper, beverage containers, tin or steel food cans, cartons, glass jars, etc.). You will see that many of them are paired with cardboard only recycling containers, which are a blue colored container with either a black or a yellow lid.

A big thank you to all of our residents who have been coming in to use our local Household Hazardous Waste Facility. There have been quite a few new users of the facility and we appreciate all of you using this facility that is meant for the homeowners in particular.

Residents may find disposing of certain items confusing. Please call us or go to our website located at www.lyonco.org. Do not rely on AI, as many times it is incorrect. We can be reached at (507) 532-8210, by email at lyonenvironmental@co.lyon.mn.us.