Hey team, and welcome back to one5c! Spring is here, which means warmer weather, colorful flora, and, for many of us, an annual deep clean. While we’re all wiping down baseboards and dusting inside cabinets, we also come face-to-face with the stashes of stuff we decided to deal with “some other time.” We’d wager you’re staring down boxes of spent electronics and cables, bins of batteries, totes exploding with unworn clothes, and perhaps even a surplus of cleaning supplies and old meds.
We get the instinct: If it’s tucked in a cupboard or a drawer, it’s not rotting in the landfill. But you can also tap the spirit of the season to evict all those extras from your home—and do it responsibly, too. That’s why we created the new series “What do I do with…?” To start, we asked contributor Molly Glick to dig into the best disposal and recycling methods for five of the most common household stockpiles.
Is there something you’ve been hanging on to that you’d like to know how to responsibly get rid of? Just hit “reply” to this email or fire a note to [email protected] anytime, and we’ll add it to the queue. —Corinne & Sara Kiley
How to responsibly get rid of your stuff
By Molly Glick
What do I do with old electronics?
Between 2010 and 2022, the amount of e-waste made per year jumped by 82%, reaching nearly 70 million tons, according to a recent United Nations report. When devices like old laptops, phones, and even cables get dumped into landfills or littered, heavy metals like lead and arsenic, along with flame retardants, can contaminate soil, water, and crops. Several states have gone so far as to ban sending any electronics to the dump. What are you supposed to do instead? Explore the best options for donating or recycling those drawerfuls of spent gizmos.
What do I do with old batteries?
Like e-waste, batteries hitting the bin can lead to serious problems. The materials that power our gadgets and gizmos can leach heavy metals into groundwater and soil after a trip to the landfill. Sometimes they can even spark water-resistant fires. The good news is that most batteries—from the single-use AAs in your remote to the rechargeable lithium power pack on your drill—can be recycled. You’ve just gotta know where to take them. Explore the best resources for finding a recycler near you.
What do I do with old clothes and fabric?
Trends come and go with dizzying speed these days, and even the most sustainable shoppers aren’t immune to needing a white T-shirt refresh every now and again. It’s no wonder that textile waste adds up: The U.S. chucks around 68 pounds’ worth per person every year, according to the latest data from the EPA. Luckily, there’s plenty we can do with fabric and clothes we no longer need. Reputable donation and take-back programs are an excellent first step for items in good condition. For stuff that’s hanging on by a thread, consider upcycling it at home or, as a last resort, taking them to a recycler. Explore the best options for giving your closet a second life.
What do I do with old cleaning products?
Getting rid of cleaning products can be quite messy. Some have the potential to rip through metal, burn skin, catch fire, and react violently to each other or just water and air. The key things to remember when getting rid of old cleaning supplies: Read the labels carefully, never (ever) mix bleach and acid, and avoid dumping things down the drain. In many cases, household cleaners are considered hazardous waste, so if you find yourself with any excess, it’s important to understand how to dispose of it responsibly.
What do I do with leftover medicine?
According to a survey run by Stericycle, nearly 40% of people say they hang on to leftover meds for future use, which means a lot of us have potentially expired scripts hiding in the back of the bathroom cabinet. Simply flushing those extra meds—as many folks do—can pose risks to people and planet. That’s why working through established take-back programs or using EPA- and DEA-recommended disposal methods is crucial. Explore what you need to know about safely cleaning out the medicine cabinet.
Molly Glick writes about health, science, and the future. They’re a graduate of The Medill School at Northwestern University, where they studied journalism and environmental policy, and have contributed to Inverse, Discover, and Popular Science, among other publications.
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