Happy Fourth of July! It’s time to put out the decorations, get the grill ready, and start planning your mini fireworks show.
What might not be on your mind yet is the cleanup that happens after the festivities end and everyone has gone home.
To save some stress and eliminate a few steps, here’s what to know about disposing of some of the items found throughout the backyard barbecue.
How can I get rid of my used and unused fireworks?
Fireworks should be thrown out as trash. Whether they are used or unused, do not place fireworks or any part of the fireworks in your recycling container. Follow these steps:
What’s the best way to handle food leftovers?
When the barbecue starts to wind down, set aside some reusable containers or use aluminum foil as an alternative to plastic wrap and bags for packing up leftovers.
Clean aluminum foil can be placed in the recycling bin, unlike plastic wrap.
Can I recycle plastic cups, containers, and bottles?
Notice multiple red Solo cups lying around? Instead of tossing them in the trash, give them a rinse and recycle them.
All plastic bottles, cups, and containers, excluding those made of Styrofoam, prescription medicine bottles, and motor oil bottles, can be placed in your recycling bin.
How do I dispose of non-reusable decorations?
While you can pack up the flags to reuse next year, certain decorations might not have withstood the single celebration.
Depending on the material of the item, it can be either recycled or thrown away in the trash. You’ll want to check with your municipality to see if there are any exclusions from recycling from the list that follows.
Here are the materials safe to recycle, according to Waste Management:
What should I do with old or worn-out batteries?
If you used any battery-powered electronics over the weekend, you can take the used-up or damaged batteries to a recycling center.
Electronics stores, such as Best Buy, also accept electronic waste, which you can drop off in-store. The small metal parts within them are often salvaged and melted down to make new materials for new products.
Where should I take my propane tank?
Once the grill is no longer in use, it’s time to determine what to do with the propane tank.
Propane tanks can be refilled when they are almost empty, but there are limits on the number of times they can be refilled. Propane tanks damaged by corrosion, dents, or use that are no longer usable require proper disposal due to the highly flammable nature of the gas. Most waste and recycling facilities will not accept old propane tanks because they are considered hazardous waste.
If the Fourth of July weekend is your current tank’s last, here is what to know:
How do I dispose of cooking oil from the grill or stove?
In addition to taking care of the propane tank, there’s also the question of how to dispose of cooking oil from the grill.
According to Frontier Waste Management, the rule of thumb when it comes to grease and oil disposal is not to pour it down a drain; it will damage your plumbing. Instead, turn to your garbage can.
Before the oil is sent to the trash, it can be placed in a sealed container to solidify. You can use glass jars, waxy containers like milk cartons, or styrofoam boxes to contain any potential leaks.
Frontier also noted water disposal companies in your area may take used cooking oil and use it to create biofuels.
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Cleaning up after 4th of July weekend: How to properly dispose of fireworks, red Solo cups, more
Reporting by Samantha Neely, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / Fort Myers News-Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
