It’s time for a new throne! But what do you do with the old one? No, throwing it in the trash is not the royal treatment we had in mind. Toilets are bulky, heavy, and classified as “construction waste,” which means they can’t just be tossed in with your everyday household trash. Luckily, there are plenty of eco-friendly, legal, and convenient ways to dispose of your old toilet. Let’s dive into your options.
Why you shouldn’t put your old toilet in the trash
As much as we’d love to just chuck that old toilet into the trash and move on with our lives, that’s not the best idea. In most cities, large items like toilets are classified as “bulk waste,” and can’t be disposed of with your regular trash.
Here’s why:
- Bulk waste restrictions: Toilets are heavy and cumbersome. They can overload waste systems and cause issues with your local trash pickup.
- Long breakdown time: Toilets are made from porcelain and metal, materials that take a long time to decompose in a landfill (we’re talking decades here).
- Recycling potential: Many parts of a toilet can be recycled—so why let them go to waste?
Here are the parts of your toilet you’ll need to think about:
- Porcelain bowl: This can generally be recycled, but toilets made before the 1980s may have lead-based glazing or enamel. If you have an old toilet, make sure to check with a local recycling center or hazardous waste facility for proper disposal.
- Metal bolts and hinges: These are recyclable and can be sent to a scrap metal facility.
- Rubber & plastic parts: These parts aren’t biodegradable but can often be recycled. If they can’t be, they can be disposed of with household waste.
- Wooden or composite seats: These can’t be recycled and are typically disposed of with regular waste (unless they contain asbestos).
- Asbestos: Some older toilets may have asbestos-containing materials, so if you suspect that, you should contact a hazardous waste specialist for proper disposal.
As you can see, it’s not just about getting rid of a toilet—it’s about making sure you dispose of it the right way!