How to Throw Away a Trash Can

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Co-authored by Kathryn Kellogg

Last Updated: March 10, 2025

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Throwing Your Trash Can Away

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Recycling Your Trash Can

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Repurposing Your Trash Can

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Q&A

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

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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.
- 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.
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.

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This lets your local waste disposal group know that the trash can is empty.^{[1]
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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.
- You can also spray paint a message directly onto the trash can, such as “Please take me” or “Take this can too.”
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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.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Recycling Your Trash Can

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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.
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 to this location, where you can even get paid for recycling!
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.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Repurposing Your Trash Can

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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.^{[2]
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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.^{[3]
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- 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!
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.^{[4]
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Question

Where do I throw away garbage?

Community Answer

Preferably in a garbage can or dumpster.

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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

No. All you need to do is turn it upside down or put a sign that says it needs to be thrown away.

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