Why can't we throw cursed items into the garbage?

[Daniel]

I believe Fr. Ripperger has said that if we happen to own a cursed or possessed item, then we are supposed to destroy it with fire and then throw the remains and ashes into a stream or river (but not a pond or lake, since the water needs to be flowing... not sure why).

What I'm wondering is, why can't we just throw the intact item into the garbage?

Also, what about items that we're not sure about? Supposedly demons can make their way into any item that's been misused so long as God allows the demon to do so, even if no witch has ever formally put a hex on it through a ritual. So if we've misused something, how do we know if it has become cursed? If it doesn't show any signs of being cursed, is it ok to hold onto it (or throw it away in the garbage)? Or must we burn it, just to be safe?

edit - And what if the item is made of metal or clay or some other material that can't be destroyed by fire?

[Melkor]

Dunno. I'm not into witchcraft. Lol.

[TandJ]

I've never heard this. Just trash it

[Michael Wilson]

There is a danger if an object has a curse on it, then if anybody fishes it out of the trash and wears it or takes it home, they may be struck with the curse. There is a history of a whole convent of nuns in France in the 17th. C. That became possessed by someone throwing a rose with a curse on it inside the convent garden; a nun picked it up and the whole convent became possessed. It was only during the exorcism that it was revealed why the convent had suffered this.
If it can't be destroyed, then put it into a trash bag with the ordinary trash, as there is little or no danger of this falling into someone's hands.

[red solo cup]

Water that moves, stream or river, is the biblical Living Water. Christ's metaphor for the Holy Spirit. Jews believed that only Living Water could wash away sins as in a ritual bath.