It's not something we give much thought to when preparing for Halloween, but trash can be a tricky issue this time of year. Whether you are contemplating how to properly dispose of old decorations or tackling trick-or-treat clean up, it's good to know in advance what to do with your Halloween waste.

Of course you know that candy wrappers go into your trashcan but what about plastic pumpkins that are no longer useable or wanted? What about the orange string lights that no longer work? Click here to visit the YCSWA website and type the item you need to dispose of into the search tool. You will find out how to dispose of the item within seconds.

Are you wondering what you should do with your yard waste? Let us give you some tips.

Most municipalities offer yard waste pick-up at your curb which makes yard waste disposal very easy. If you simply have leaves and grass, you can use a mulching mower to mulch them. Another option for disposal of grass and leaves is to place them in your garden beds and around trees and shrubs to prevent weed growth.

If those options aren’t your cup of tea, you can dispose of some yard waste items at the York County Resource Recovery Center (YCRRC). Be sure to click here  for specifics on what can and cannot be accepted at the YCRRC. 

Fire Prevention week falls in October each year, so we would like to take this opportunity to educate you on how to prevent trash truck fires. A majority of hauler fires are caused by a household hazardous waste product being in a curbside trash pick-up. It is extremely important to read labels on household products before throwing them away to determine if they are hazardous.
If you are unsure about how to properly dispose of this type of item, click here for more information. Household hazardous waste is categorized by the following terms on a label: ignitability, or something flammable; corrosivity, or something that can rust or decompose; reactivity, or something explosive and toxicity, or something poisonous. If you are considering disposing of household hazardous waste in your trash, we strongly urge you to contact your garbage hauler to find out what materials they will accept at the curb.

Who doesn't love a warm apple or pumpkin pie this time of year? With a chill in the air, fall kicks off the baking season for many people. I know it's hard to believe but baking does bring about food waste. Now, I know what you are thinking...there are no leftovers in my house when baked goods are around...but, the process of baking creates food waste.

Some of the waste is simply trash, but other food waste can be used to create compost which will nourish the soil and help to grow more delicious foods. With a little effort on your part, your food waste, along with some yard waste, can become a rich embellishment for the earth. If you have the desire to learn more and create your own compost, click here to read about our partnership with Horn Farm Center to offer Backyard Composting Workshops each spring and fall.