When discussing recycling, a common conundrum arises regarding the disposal of unwanted items. Early in my career, I realized that effective recycling cannot be achieved without addressing disposal challenges.

Before delving into the broader topic, let’s conduct a quick review of how to dispose of three items that we have been receiving quite a few questions on lately.

With the arrival of fall, a significant amount of lawn and garden debris, including branches, twigs, and decaying Halloween pumpkins, are ready for disposal. It is important to remember that none of these organic materials should be placed in your trash or recycling bins. If you do not have a composting system at home, your best option is to take them to the nearest yard waste facility. Be sure to remove any decorations from the pumpkins. Regarding Christmas trees (yes that season will be here soon too), both real and artificial, have special disposal requirements. Real trees can be composted, while artificial trees should be disposed of in the trash. If they are too large for your garbage bin, contact your waste hauler or take them to the landfill for a small fee. Artificial or real Christmas trees never belong in recycling containers.

Now, let’s discuss batteries, which can be a contentious issue. Rechargeable batteries should neither be discarded in the trash nor recycling, as they pose a fire hazard if broken open by the equipment used to gather trash and recycling. On the other hand, alkaline batteries can be disposed of in the regular trash. Unsure about the type of battery you have? Visit the Household Hazardous Waste facility for assistance. Remember, rechargeable batteries are often found in devices such as cell phones, tool batteries, laptops, and even vape pens. If you have a collection of unused batteries, bring them in before they become a potential fire risk.

Finally, most plastic items are generally not recyclable. When we think of recycling in Lyon County or just about anywhere in Minnesota, if the item in question is not paper, cardboard or an empty food container, then it is probably not recyclable. Case in point are the multitudes of plastic items that are out there waiting to be disposed of in some manner. Do not go by the triangle with a number inside the triangle on any given plastic item as it is NOT a recycling logo but only tells us what kind of plastic it is made from. Styrofoam, plastic kid’s toys, plastic kid’s pools, totes, plastic organizers, plastic laundry baskets, garden hoses, sump pump hoses, any kind of plastic bag (shopping bag, soil bag, pet food bag, mulch bags and solar salt bags, etc.), and so forth are all trash. None of these items are an empty food container. There isn’t any market for them at this time and so they have to go into the trash.

Now, let’s address the concept of minimalism. While some individuals prefer a minimalist lifestyle, why not strive for intentional living instead? This approach emphasizes the idea that happiness does not stem from an abundance of possessions. When we become intentional about what we purchase for ourselves, we are also purchasing items that will hopefully last longer and stay out of the landfill for a longer period of time. With landfill’s filling throughout Minnesota and the United States, generally speaking, it is becoming more and more important to rethink what we are purchasing. A good can opener may last you a lifetime while a cheaper one may cause you to purchase and throw away can openers repeatedly.

It’s also time to declutter your space. Discard items you no longer use and encourage your children to do the same. Perhaps it’s time to part with those extra kitchen gadgets or donate old athletic shoes. Additionally, have an open conversation with your parents about their collection of items from the last 50 or 60 years. We are not suggesting to discard everything, but rather we encourage everyone to sift through belongings that no longer hold value. The Household Hazardous Waste Facility is an excellent resource for disposing of outdated garden supplies, expired cleaning products, or unwanted paint for free.

If residents can sift through belongings well in advance of downsizing or moving, it will cause less stress to the person downsizing as well as alleviating the burden of receiving items that must be taken in by either the landfill, thrift store, ReStore or our Household Hazardous Waste Facility.

If you are considering downsizing to a smaller living quarters, now is the ideal time to address clutter before the move. While this process can feel overwhelming, start small — tackle one drawer at a time. If you need guidance on how to dispose of your belongings, we offer helpful flyers and are just a phone call away. Let’s embark on this decluttering journey together.

For more information, please go online to www.lyonco.org or call the Lyon County Environmental Department at (507) 532-8210 or the Lyon County Landfill at (507) 865-4615.