Missoula Residents: Don’t Throw Away These 11 Items

Let’s be honest: most of us don’t think twice about tossing something in the garbage. Broken gadget? Toss it. Half-empty can of paint? Into the bin. But I should also mention that, here in Montana, throwing away some of those everyday items is actually illegal.

Yep, it’s true! Because of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Montana’s waste regulations, certain items are prohibited from landfills as they can harm the environment, be a risk to public health, or be dangerous. Some of the usual suspects include car batteries and old paint, for example. But others? Well, let’s just say that you may be guilty of violating some of the rules without realizing it.

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Before you start freaking out about that mystery box of junk you just found in your garage, fear not. You’re definitely not alone. Many Montanans don’t know exactly what’s on the “do not toss” list. And honestly, some of these banned items are super harmless! But ending up in landfills, they can leak toxic chemicals, leach into water sources, or actually go BOOM. That’s why Montana has special drop-off sites and recycling programs to properly dispose of them.

So what exactly can you not throw away? Some of the things totally make sense, but others will have you scratching your head. We put together a list of the 11 items that are illegal to throw in the trash. Tell us what you think: take a look at our gallery to see if you’ve been breaking the rules. You may be surprised!