When you're done eating that granola bar, you don't think anything about throwing away that wrapper, do you?

There are lots of things that Michiganders throw away with no thought and no consequence. But did you know there are more than a few things that are actually illegal to throw away in this state?

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And I'm not talking about, "oh you probably shouldn't throw that away." No, I'm talking straight up illegal to dispose of or to dispose of improperly.

Things That Are Illegal to Throw Away in Michigan

Yes...disposing of certain things could earn you some jail time or a fine of some amount. So do yourself a favor and avoid breaking the law. Check out the list below and find out what is illegal to throw away in the state of Michigan, and how you can go about disposing of it properly.

Beverage Containers (pop/beer cans)

Photo by Jason Rojas on Unsplash
Photo by Jason Rojas on Unsplash
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This one is special in Michigan because those cans are a dime a piece when you return them. Basically, if you paid a deposit for it, return it to the store. You'll get your dimes back and you won't be subject to a fine of up to $1,000. If you didn't pay a deposit on that can or bottle, you can recycle with your normal household recycling or at a local program.

Yard Clippings

Photo by Rasa Kasparaviciene on Unsplash
Photo by Rasa Kasparaviciene on Unsplash
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Whether it's grass clippings, leaves, sticks, or other landscaping trimmings, you can't put them in the trash. You've got a few options here. You can compost them on-site or at a local composting facility. Or you can put them in yard waste bags and take them to the curb for pick up.

Asbestos

Slate asbestos roof damaged by a fallen down tree.
Vitaliy Halenov
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The "demolition, waste handling, and disposal" of asbestos are subject to many laws and regulations because it is so particularly harmful to the air and anyone who might inhale it. To find safe methods of demolition and removal, click here.

Lead Acid Batteries

Photo by John Cameron on Unsplash
Photo by John Cameron on Unsplash
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If you need to get rid of a lead acid battery, the retailers that sell them typically have places to recycle the old batteries as well. If that isn't an option, there are other recycling options.

Old Scrap Tires

Photo by Raúl Gómez on Unsplash
Photo by Raúl Gómez on Unsplash
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These need to be recycled. Some landfills might accept these, however, they need to be processed first. Meaning they have to be cut in half, shredded, cut, or chipped up into little pieces. Find out where to recycle scrap tires here.

Things That FEEL Illegal in Michigan That Aren't

No, none of these are against actual Michigan laws...They just feel like they are part of some "Michigander Honor Code" and should still not be violated.

Gallery Credit: Maitlynn Mossolle

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