Throwing household waste such as small batteries, cleaning products, and light bulbs in the trash may not be environmentally friendly behavior, but in most cases, it’s not against the law. However, businesses face many more limitations and regulations on what can and can’t be thrown away. Federal and state laws require businesses to make a waste determination on their waste streams and manage them accordingly.
Take an aerosol can, for example. It might be perfectly fine to throw an empty can into the trash at home. At work, however, it’s a different story. Other items that could present disposal issues include fluorescent light bulbs, cleaning solutions, solvents, and various chemicals. How you go about disposing of these “household” items will depend on several factors, including your hazardous waste generator category, the program you’re managing the waste under, and your state regulations.