How to Take Out the Trash

Co-authored by Alessandra Mendes

Last Updated: August 27, 2024

Taking out the trash is something that most of us have to do on a regular basis. Not taking out the trash can create an unsanitary home or office environment. Although this is not a difficult task, there are tips that you can use to make it even easier.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Taking Out the Trash

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Use the extra room at the top of the bag to securely tie a single knot so that the garbage does not fall out of the bag. Sometimes trash bags come with twist ties. Using these ties makes it easy to secure the contents of the bag. Gather the entire opening of the bag, close and place the twist tie around it.
Check to see if there are any holes in the bag. If so, double bag it by placing the entire bag inside of an empty bag.

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3
Take your bags to the designated pick-up location. Be sure nothing has been left behind or dropped during the transportation process.
- To transport heavy items or more than one bag, either take more than one trip, ask for help, or use a dolly or wagon.
4
Move the bin to the street. If you live in a house and not an apartment, there are specific waste management guidelines to follow. Be sure to follow the rules for bin placement and pick up. You should set the trash out on time so that it does not pile up.
- You can find your neighborhood’s trash pick up schedule with a quick online search. Most residents receive this information by mail from their local waste management service. It is generally provided when the trash pick up service is first scheduled.
- If you place your trash in a community dumpster, replace the lid after dropping your trash bag into it. This will prevent rodents and animals from entering the dumpster.

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Maintaining a Trash Schedule

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Choose a set day of the week to pick up trash. This can include trash in containers at home and junk you may have in your car.
Schedule a reminder on your smartphone, or another device, to take out the trash. Set your schedule based on trash pickup times.
3
Keep trash bags on hand. You can find trash bags at the grocery store and most retail establishments.
- Trash cans are standard in size, especially those used in the kitchen. Many trash cans are measured in gallons.
- There are odor absorbing and scented trash bags available in stores.
- Some municipalities may require clear bags.
Cleaning the trash can every few months can help to reduce odor and insects. Use warm soapy water for general cleaning. You can also use a mild disinfectant to sterilize the trash can to reduce odor.

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Compacting the Trash

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1
Press down the contents of the bag (optional). Compress trash into the trash bag as much as you can while it is still in the trash can. This process maximizes the amount of available space so that you can place more trash into the bag.
- Compacting the trash can yield cost savings because you will buy trash bags less often.
- Be careful not to tear the trash bag when compressing the contents.
- Do not use your hand to compress trash. This could result in injury if there are unseen sharp objects in the trash. You can use a hand held compressor instead.
- Use an electronic trash compacter to reduce the volume of your trash. An electronic trash compactor can turn six bags of trash into one bag.^{[1]
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2
Remove overflowing trash. If you are unable to compress overflowing trash, place the overflow into a new bag. If there is a lot of room left in the overflow bag, it may be best to place it into the trash can until it is full.
- If you have a trash can that is not lined with a bag, place a bag over the top of the trash can, then turn the can upside down. This will allow the contents to fall into the bag. Take your time so that you do not drop trash all over the floor.
3
Remove sharp or other hazardous objects. Keep a look out for hazardous items, such as broken glass, knives, and toxic substances. These items require special handling for disposal.
- Put on gloves. It is a good practice to use gloves when handling trash. This is especially true if the trash contains liquids.
- Secure sharp objects so that they do not harm you or anyone else who may encounter them. For example, place broken glass in a labeled and puncture resistant container. You can use a box as the container. Place the box labeled “broken glass” in the designated trash pick up location. Biohazardous medical waste (such as sharps and needles), must be disposed of in separate containers and returned to a drop-off centre (such as a pharmacy) because they can spread disease.
- Electronics, acids, paint, pesticides, empty chemical containers (due to residues), light bulbs (especially fluorescents due to their mercury content), and batteries are examples of hazardous items that must be recycled. These items should not go in the trash or curbside recycling. You can contact your local waste management company or government for questions about toxic substance disposal.

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Recycling When Possible

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1
Find recycling resources. It is always a good idea to recycle whenever you can. Most counties provide resources for recycling.^{[2]
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- Conduct an online search for recycling resources in your area.
- Some businesses provide designated recycling containers for all employees and visitors.
- Common recyclables include plastics, paper, cans, glass bottles, and hazardous waste (separately).
- Recycle properly. Check if your recycling should be bagged (usually blue bags) or unbagged. Rinse residues off items and sort correctly.
Store your recycling container in a shaded, covered area. This is important for sanitary purposes since heat can cause bacterial growth, although this is less of a problem if you are rinsing residue away. It should be covered to prevent the recyclables from getting soggy, should it rain.
3
Receive cash for recycling. You might earn money by recycling items such as cans and bottles at depots. Save them in the designated recycling container and take them to a recycling center.
- The amount paid for recycled cans varies based on the price of aluminum.

Expert Q&A

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Question

How can I easily separate recyclable trash from regular ones?

Alessandra Mendes
Cleaning Specialist
Alessandra Mendes is a Cleaning Specialist and the Founder of Cleaning Glow. With ten years of experience, Alessandra and her team specialize in providing residential cleaning services in the San Francisco Bay Area. All members of the Cleaning Glow team have completed thorough background checks.

Alessandra Mendes

Cleaning Specialist

Expert Answer

To easily separate regular trash from recyclables, set up two distinct bins or containers for each type of waste. As you discard items, consciously sort them into the appropriate bin based on their recyclability. This involves identifying materials eligible for recycling, such as paper, cardboard, plastic bottles, glass containers, and metal cans. Remember to rinse out recyclable containers to remove any food residue or liquids, as this prevents contamination. Flatten cardboard boxes and containers to maximize space in the recycling bin. Avoid placing non-recyclable items like plastic bags, styrofoam, and electronics into the recycling bin. Once each bin is filled, follow local waste management guidelines for disposing of recyclables and regular trash, whether through curbside pickup or designated collection points. Establishing this routine contributes to environmental sustainability and supports proper waste management practices.

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How do I get the garbage bag?

Community Answer

You can purchase garbage bags at your local retail store. You can find them at a grocery store in your neighborhood as well as stores like Wal-Mart and Target. There are more affordable options at stores such as Dollar Tree and Dollar General.

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How do i don't get flying bugs in my apartment from npt taking out trash?

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Make sure that your trash can has a lid to minimize attraction by insects. You can also place your trash can or your trash bag in the garage until it can be properly disposed.

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Tips

Try to take the trash out before the bag is overflowing.

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Use trash cans with a lid to reduce problems with insects.

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Keep your trash in the garage between trash pick up days.

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Warnings

Be careful when disposing hazardous materials. Items such as broken glass and knives can cause physical harm.

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In some parts of the world, rodents and insects will infiltrate a trash can that has a strong odor. It is best to set your trash out for pickup whenever possible to address this problem.

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Not removing trash can increase stress by signaling to your mind that there is always more work to do.^{[3]
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