The most important rule of the disposal of hazardous waste is that it must not be thrown away with the regular waste.

Batteries tossed to a garbage bin can ignite and, if they get into the soil, they can poison it as well as waste water. To safely dispose of batteries, take them to one of the designated collection centers, which are often located in large stores and malls. An old car battery can be returned to the dealer where you can buy a new one.
Used motor oils can be recycled. You can take them to a motor oil collection point at auto stores, gas stations, or service centers. If not properly disposed of, 1 gallon of motor oil can contaminate 1 million gallons of fresh water. Keep this in mind before sending used motor oils to a landfill.
Electronic devices include components that can be reused as well as parts that can seriously harm the environment. The most sustainable way to dispose of old electronics is through a recycling center. Many manufacturers also run recycling programs for their products. You can contact their official representatives to return old devices.
Paints and varnishes contain chemical components that can harm humans, animals, and the environment, therefore they are classified as hazardous waste. You can keep the remains of the paint, and use it later for other purposes (with good sealing, cans with varnishes and enamel paints can be stored for 10 to 15 years). If you are sure you won’t need this paint anymore, donate it to a school, theater, or charity. You can try to return whole cans of paint to the store, or hand over already opened cans to recycling companies. As a last resort, you can dry the paint residue in the sun, mix it with cat litter, and dispose of it with the rest of the waste in the usual way.
Fluorescent light bulbs contain a small amount of mercury and should not be disposed of with regular household waste. Take the bulbs to a recycling center where they will be taken care of.
Mercury thermometers contain about 500 mg of mercury, which can be harmful to our health if the thermometer is broken. For safe disposal, take a thermometer to a company that supports a hazardous household waste collection program. Some companies will replace the old mercury thermometer with a modern electronic one.
Medications, if improperly disposed of, can contaminate groundwater, so you should not pour them into the toilet or throw them into the trash bin. Many countries have “take-back” programs that collect and dispose of medications. Try to find a collection point in your area. If this option is not available to you, mix medications with cat litter, place them in an airtight container, and after that toss them in the trash bin.

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