How to Throw Away a Trash Can

How do you throw out a trash can when it goes from holding trash to being trash? Putting an empty trash can on your curb might not be enough to signal to your garbage collectors that you want it to be taken. Throw your trash can away by placing it upside down to demonstrate that it’s empty and clearly labeling it for pick up. Or, instead of throwing it away, recycle your trash can at a local recycling facility or transform it into a storage or compost bin.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Throwing Your Trash Can Away

  1. Image titled Throw Away a Trash Can Step 1
    1
    Call 311. Use a local phone to call 311 and contact your local government. Ask them if there is any region-specific information about garbage can disposal that you should be aware of before disposing.[1]
    • Your local government may ask you to call your local waste disposal group to alert them that you will be throwing away a large item.
  2. Image titled Throw Away a Trash Can Step 2
    2
    Put your trash can on the curb. Make sure you follow your local laws and place the trash can in an appropriate location. Most cities require that trash cans are placed at least 3 feet (0.91 m) away from the nearest car. If your trash can has wheels, place the trash can so the wheels face towards your house.[2]
    Advertisement
  3. Image titled Throw Away a Trash Can Step 3
    3
    Turn your trash can upside down. This lets your local waste disposal group know that the trash can is empty.[3]
  4. Image titled Throw Away a Trash Can Step 4
    4
    Fashion a sign that says “Discard”. Make sure your sign is legible and large. Place it on the trash can. Secure with tape or twine if necessary.[4]
    • You can also spray paint a message directly onto the trash can, such as “Please take me” or “Take this can too.”
  5. Image titled Throw Away a Trash Can Step 5
    5
    Cut your trash can into pieces. If your trash can has not been successfully picked up after a trash run, use a saw or large knife to cut the bin into smaller pieces, then place it in a normal trash bag for removal.
    • This method generally only works for plastic trash cans.
    6. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Recycling Your Trash Can

  1. Image titled Throw Away a Trash Can Step 6
    1
    Find your local recycling center. Locate your local recycling center on www.iwanttoberecycled.org. Find out if they recycle trash cans, and bring your trash can to their location if they do.
    • If your trash can doesn’t fit in your car, or if you don’t have a car, ask if they have a pick-up service.
  2. Image titled Throw Away a Trash Can Step 7
    2
    Take your metal trash can to a scrap metal recycling facility. Locate your nearest scrap metal recycling facility on www.gotscrap.com. Note that there’s a chance there isn’t a scrap metal recycling facility near you. If there is, bring your metal trash can ot this location, where you can even get paid for recycling!
  3. Image titled Throw Away a Trash Can Step 8
    3
    Donate your trash can. Contact your local nonprofit organizations and ask if they take donated trash cans for families in need. If they do, follow their instructions for donating.
    4. Advertisement
Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Repurposing Your Trash Can

  1. Image titled Throw Away a Trash Can Step 9
    1
    Use your trash can as a storage bin. Depending how large your trash can is, you can bring it inside for clothes or other home storage. If it is too large to bring inside, store large garden tools like rakes and shovels and leave your trash can in your garage or yard.[5]
  2. Image titled Throw Away a Trash Can Step 10
    2
    Transform your trash can into a compost bin. Drill holes in the bottom and sides of the trash can to provide air. Add uncooked vegetable scraps, dried leaves, and plant material into the trash can.[6]
    • Turn your compost every two weeks to keep it moist. Just put the lid on, turn it on its side, and roll it!
    • Place your compost bin on bricks to increase air circulation.
    • Use your compost to boost your gardening soil!
  3. Image titled Throw Away a Trash Can Step 11
    3
    Store pet food in your old trash can. If you have a dog or other large pet, use your old trash can to store pet food so you don’t have to run to the pet store as much. Buying pet food in bulk is also cheaper in the long run! Make sure your trash can is fully cleaned before storing food in it.[7]
    4. Advertisement

Community Q&A

  • Question
    Where do I throw away garbage?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Preferably in a garbage can or dumpster.
  • Question
    Do I need to let the garbage people know ahead of time I'm throwing away a trash can? Do they need recycling stickers?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    No. All you need to do is turn it upside down or put a sign that says it needs to be thrown away.
Advertisement

You Might Also Like

Clean Your Garbage Disposal
How to
Clean Your Garbage Disposal
How to
Install a Garbage Disposal
Become a Garbage Collector
How to
Become a Garbage Collector
Make a Burn Barrel
How to
Make a Burn Barrel
Fix a Jammed Garbage Disposal
How to
Fix a Jammed Garbage Disposal
Dispose of a Condom
How to
Dispose of a Condom
Dispose of a Flat Screen TV
How to
Dispose of a Flat Screen TV
Dispose of a Helium Tank
How to
Dispose of a Helium Tank
Dispose of Aerosol Cans
How to
Dispose of Aerosol Cans
Destroy an Old Computer
How to
Destroy an Old Computer
Dispose of Acetone
How to
Dispose of Acetone
Dispose of Cooking Oil
How to
Dispose of Cooking Oil
Dispose of Television Sets
How to
Dispose of Television Sets
Dispose of Styrofoam
How to
Dispose of Styrofoam
Advertisement

References

  1. ↑ http://www.knoxvilletn.gov/government/city_departments_offices/public_service/solid_waste/garbage/curbside
  2. ↑ http://www.knoxvilletn.gov/government/city_departments_offices/public_service/solid_waste/garbage/curbside
  3. ↑ https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/dc-politics/how-to-get-your-old-dc-trash-cans-removed/2014/05/07/71843e62-d626-11e3-95d3-3bcd77cd4e11_story.html?utm_term=.3aeb731de96c
  4. ↑ http://www.knoxvilletn.gov/government/city_departments_offices/public_service/solid_waste/garbage/curbside
  5. ↑ http://earth911.com/inspire/repurposing-trash-cans-how-to/
  6. ↑ http://pallensmith.com/2014/02/27/trash-can-compost-bin/
  7. ↑ http://earth911.com/inspire/repurposing-trash-cans-how-to/

About This Article

wikiHow Staff
Co-authored by:
wikiHow Staff
wikiHow Staff Writer
This article was co-authored by wikiHow Staff. Our trained team of editors and researchers validate articles for accuracy and comprehensiveness. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. This article has been viewed 110,080 times.
3 votes - 40%
Co-authors: 17
Updated: December 13, 2021
Views: 110,080
Categories: Household Waste Disposal
Article SummaryX

To throw away your old trash can, call your local waste disposal group to see if they can collect it. If they can, leave it on the curb with a sign saying something like, “Please take me.” Alternatively, you can take it to a local recycling center. If the can doesn’t fit in your car or you don’t have your own transport, call them to ask if they have a pick-up service. You can also call local nonprofit organizations to see if you can donate your trash can for another family. For more tips, including how to repurpose your trash can for garden storage, read on!

Did this summary help you?
Advertisement