While single-stream recycling has made the disposal of fibers, plastics and metals relatively straightforward in Marquette County, many residents might still find themselves wondering how to properly dispose of certain items. Many of us find ourselves questioning if a given item is something that can be recycled, an item that should be thrown in the garbage, or if it s something that needs to be taken to a designated site for processing.

And getting the answer correct can be a high-stakes situation in some cases, as certain items can pose hazards if proper disposal steps are not taken. For example, lithium-ion batteries should never be disposed of in a trash bin or recycling cart, as they can present an extreme fire hazard when damaged, according to recycle906.com.

Due to this, improper disposal may result in injury or death of waste/recycling haulers and landfill/recycling employees, the website states.Further, significant damage to equipment or loss of property may occur.

We’ve seen firsthand the consequences of improper lithium-ion battery disposal, as fires caused by this type of batteries have been reported at the Marquette County landfill over the past year.

Fortunately, there are safe ways to dispose of lithium-ion batteries and other types of batteries with recycle906.com listing designated collection sites offered throughout the county, as well as approved methods to prepare the batteries for safe disposal. Visit recycle906.com or call 906-249-4125 for the full details.

Beyond batteries, the website also offers a materials wizard feature on its home page that allows a visitor to type in the name of a given waste item and receive specific information on the proper disposal method.

For example, a search for pumpkins yields advice to bring it to the Marquette County Solid Waste Management Authority’s organics drop-off program as the best disposal option, with placing the item in the garbage listed as a secondary option.

A search for e-cigarettes or vapes which can often contain lithium-ion batteries indicates that this type of item isn t collected curbside and recommends the authority s household hazardous waste program as the best  and only  option for disposal, with a link to more information about collection dates.

The site also offers a summary of items that should not be recycled, which include batteries; hazardous waste; medical waste; plastic bags and pet food bags; plastic wrap; stringy things like hoses, rope and cords, which can create tangles in recycling sorting machines; Styrofoam containers, blocks or peanuts; yard waste; and food waste.

We urge our readers to make use of the excellent resources available at recycle906.com, as knowing whether an item should be recycled, composted, thrown in the garbage or directed to a hazardous waste program can protect human health and safety, as well as the plants, animals, land and water in our region.

A few minutes of your time spent researching an item can make a big difference for people and the environment, especially when it comes to disposing of potentially hazardous materials.

— The Mining Journal, Marquette