Practical Waste Management Blog

You’ve got a big project coming up and you’re not quite sure of the size and scope of everything involved in it just yet. However, you know for sure there will be waste removal involved and you want it to be taken care of without delay and without having the dumpster hauled off over and over again as this can cause delays. So, what size dumpster will work best for your residential or commercial project?

First, let’s take a look at some basic things you need to know about renting a dumpster:

• Prohibited waste – if your project involves removal of tires, automotive fluids, paint, e-waste (cell phones, computers, televisions), batteries and anything considered hazardous waste – it does not belong in a dumpster.
• Don’t go over your weight allowance. Each dumpster size holds a specific amount of waste. Going over can lead to fines/penalties.
• Know how long you’ll need it on the job site.
• Know what type of debris you’ll be clearing out. Some debris can’t be mixed.

Dumpster rental is a popular service among homeowners who are looking to improve their homes. Any renovation can accumulate up to tons of refuse and if you're planning to remodel your home or you yard, you're going to need a dumpster to get rid of all of the trash.

Here are 10 scenarios where a dumpster can give you a much needed lift:

1. Home Interior Renovation

   You’ve got to make room in your house for the changes. Perhaps it’s a flooring project and you’re tearing out carpets, finding old laminate floor underneath – it’s all got to go. With a dumpster parked out front you can quickly and easily dispose of the refuse.

2. Landscaping

   It might not look like much refuse at first glance, but once you begin pulling out rows of bushes, cutting down unwanted trees and pulling out dead turf, you’ve quickly got tons of landscaping that needs to go. A summer storm can also necessitate a dumpster in which all the downed trees, shrubs and bushes can be tossed and hauled away.

Americans aren’t ones to settle down in one house and stay their for the rest of their lives. According to the Census Bureau, the American Community Survey estimates that the average American moves 11.7 times in a lifetime. Moving projects offer the potential to generate a fair amount of waste. How can you make your next move without generating a sizable mound of waste for the local landfill?

With every move come tough decisions on what to keep and what to toss. What’s going to fit in the new place and what needs to go in the junk or “for sale” pile? Are you going to use boxes to transport your goods or will you rent a mobile storage unit and pack it full with item after item?

Americans rely on their gadgets now more than ever. A new iPhone comes out every year and those who want to be the owner of the latest, greatest smartphone are going to upgrade every year. New iPads and Apple TVs are also frequently updated, phasing out the old. Apple products are only a fraction of the electronics that are phased out every day. So, what happens to all the old electronics?

According to estimates from the EPA, in 2013 electronics in landfills, referred to E-waste, accounted for more than 3 million tons of materials. California was the first state, in 2003, to pass an E-waste law that pushed recycling of used electronics. Maine followed suite in 2004, requiring television and computer monitor manufacturers to divert their product from landfills while also picking up the tab for their disposal. Many other states have followed examples set by California and Maine, but there is still a need for more focus on recycling e-waste.

Most states have a department of environmental quality or something akin to it that addresses illegal dumping and littering and the ramifications that go along with it. For instance, Illinois’ Environmental Protection Agency addresses everything from safe disposal of pharmaceuticals and medical sharps to electronic waste recycling to waste disposal.

Illegal dumping occurs for a variety of reasons, but none are acceptable:

• Lack of convenient alternatives
• Increased disposal costs
• Lack of public awareness
• Lack of understanding of laws

Health and the Environment are at Risk

Regardless of the reason, the side effects of illegal dumping are very real. The Illinois EPA partners with other state departments in an effort to prevent illegal dumping because of the potential threat to public health and the environment. Illegal dumping goes by a variety of names, including fly dumping, open dumping, midnight dumping.