What Items Are Illegal To Throw Away In North Dakota?

Illegal Trash

Yesterday was garbage day for me, and it got me thinking about what you can and cannot throw away in the weekly trash in North Dakota. I mean, it's not like the garbage companies are going through our trash these days. Most companies don't even get out of their trucks anymore.

Christmas Rubbish And Recycling Causes Mounts Up

Residents have to police themselves, and you can bet some people simply don't know the rules or laws, and some people just disregard them altogether. You know the type, individuals who think they are above the law.

What are the Penalites

To my surprise, there are numerous items that are prohibited from being put in the trash in North Dakota. Violations of these laws vary from small non-criminal fines to serious criminal charges and massive civil liabilities, depending heavily on the volume and toxicity of the discarded material.

How About Sneaking Garbage Into Another Dumpster

If you are one of those people. Under North Dakota Century Code 23.1-08-07, getting rid of household waste on public or private property you don't own carries the following penalties:

Small items under 1 cubic foot are treated as an infraction and carry a mandatory minimum fine of $200. This applies to bags of household trash, loose litter, or small items.

(SEE ALSO: North Dakota Collecting Rainfall Laws)

Large items or bulk volume over 1 cubic foot, such as furniture like a mattress or couch or a major appliance like a refrigerator, escalate the offense to a Class B Misdemeanor. In North Dakota, a Class B Misdemeanor conviction goes on your criminal record and could land you 30 days in jail, a fine of up to $1,500, or both. YIKES!

Illegal Items to Throw in the Trash in North Dakota

kanvag Getty Stock

According to the North Dakota Enviromentally Quality, these are the prohibited trash items.

Lead-acid batteries: vendors of new batteries are required to accept them as trade-ins.

Used motor oil: illegal to place in landfills, pour down drains or sewers, or dump on the ground.

Furniture, scrap metal, and major appliances: abandoning or littering these on public or private property is restricted.

Hazardous waste and industrial/agricultural chemicals: Surplus pesticides, dangerous chemicals are prohibited.

Electronics and Mercury Waste: 

TVs, computers, fluorescent light bulbs, ballasts, and mercury switches require special e-waste or hazardous waste recycling.

Inert waste restrictions: Items like liquids, chemicals, appliances, and household garbage are prohibited from being disposed of in designated inert waste landfills.

Keep in mind that most cities in the state have additional restrictions.

There you go. Items you are prohibited from throwing in the trash. Most of these items should be common sense. To avoid problems with the authorities, it would be a good idea to start following the rules. You have been warned.

.