Practical Waste Management Blog

American homeowners are fascinated with DIY projects, and it shows in how they spend their money at big box stores, like Home Depot, Lowes and Menards.

The most popular types of projects seem to vary per state, but the National Association of Home Builders surveyed 2,000 contractors and found that 78 percent of them said bathroom remodels were the most common, which probably mimics what many DIYers are doing out there.

Regardless of the type of remodel you’re tackling at your home, you’re going to need a place to put all the refuse that is generated when you tear out the old and prepare for the new. If you haven’t yet tackled a demolition project, be prepared to load out more waste than you ever thought possible. That tiny little bathroom has hundreds of pounds of materials in it, which means you’re going to need a dumpster.

Did you know Americans generate more than 250 million tons of waste per year? Fortunately, decades of focus on recycling has directed about 35 percent of that waste away from landfills and toward more responsible destinations where it can be composted or reused. When it comes to taking responsibility for your own waste, what measures can you take to protect the environment?

Focus on recycling

First and foremost, if you don’t want to attract pests, be mindful of what you put into your dumpster rental. Never place food items into it, as it will rot and stink up your immediate area. Flies will be attracted to it, which will cause an infestation of maggots. Raccoons are notorious for finding ways into tight spaces to retrieve all types of items, and you don’t want to entice them with food odors. If you live in an area where bears are present, you should be well aware of the dangers of attracting these large beasts with improperly disposed of food waste.

Your dumpster rental will likely not be with you for long, but even in that short span of time, it can become a major magnet for pests of all species and sizes. From tiny crawling maggots to large bears, you don’t want your dumpster rental to be anything other than a repository for your waste. So, what can you do to prevent it from becoming something you never intended?

No food waste

First and foremost, if you don’t want to attract pests, be mindful of what you put into your dumpster rental. Never place food items into it, as it will rot and stink up your immediate area. Flies will be attracted to it, which will cause an infestation of maggots. Raccoons are notorious for finding ways into tight spaces to retrieve all types of items, and you don’t want to entice them with food odors. If you live in an area where bears are present, you should be well aware of the dangers of attracting these large beasts with improperly disposed of food waste.

A home remodeling project is generally prefaced with a good amount of planning. You do your research on various designs, get excited about the appliances or furniture you’re going to bring to the project, and choose materials that will transform your room or your entire home.

But, what about the waste associated with a remodeling project? How can you save time managing the waste and spend more time actually tackling your project?

Bags aren’t an option

Some DIY remodeling projects include purchasing heavy duty trash bags where a majority the refuse will go, either hauled to the street corner bit by bit, or into the back of a truck where it will be hauled off to the local landfill one load at a time. Unfortunately, this can be a huge waste of time. Furthermore, you won’t be able to fit large items or sharp items into those bags. The better choice is to rent a dumpster.

In many ways, a neighborhood is an extension of the home. It should serve as a safe haven where kids can roam, play and socialize with other kids in the area. Unfortunately, too many communities lack the security necessary to make parents feel okay about letting their young ones explore freely. What can you do to create a safe zone for your kids and others within your neighborhood?

Who are your neighbors?

Much of the suspicion a person feels about their community is tied to what is known and unknown about those living amongst them. They could be among the bad apples, or they could be a positive influence on the youth in the area. You’ll never know unless you reach out to them, make small talk, get a sense of how their kids behave … anything that can clue you in to whether or not they are a positive or negative influence.