The Strangest (But Family-Friendly!) Items Found in the Trash

Here’s a lighthearted look at some of the strangest items local trash collectors have found in the trash.

After collecting thousands of trash cans across the community, local trash crews have learned one thing for sure: you never quite know what you’ll find on trash day! While most bins contain everyday household waste, every so often something surprising shows up that makes them stop, laugh and shake their heads.

Here are a few:

A Guitar With Only One String

Still rocking… sort of. We’re guessing this guitar had a long and musical life before retiring to the trash. One string left standing—proof that it truly gave its all.

A Stuffed Animal Bigger Than the Bin

This oversized teddy bear barely fit inside the trash can and looked like it was hugging the lid goodbye. We hope it brought years of comfort before its final ride.

A Christmas Tree… in July

Holiday spirit knows no season, apparently. This artificial tree made a surprise appearance well past its usual time of year.

An Entire Box of Encyclopedias

Once the ultimate source of knowledge, now replaced by the internet. These heavy volumes were a throwback to a time before search engines.

A Grandfather Clock (No Grandfather Included)

Tall, elegant and completely unexpected in a trash can. Time waits for no one, especially broken clocks.

A Couch with No Cushions

We couldn’t help but imagine what led to this moment. Were the cushions victims of a long-running pillow fort project? Did a family pet claim them as personal beds? Or was this couch simply promoted to “decorative seating” long before its retirement?

While these items gave the trash collectors a chuckle, many unusual or oversized items can be:

Recycled, donated or scheduled for special pickup.

When you’re not sure, it’s always best to check before placing them in your trash can.

Thanks for keeping the trash routes interesting while helping to keep the community clean and safe. Who knows—maybe your trash has a story too!

Do you have something unusual that you’re unsure how to dispose of? Reach out to your trash company before tossing it, and get pointed in the right direction!