Practical Waste Management Blog

Eco-friendly: it’s no longer a catchphrase that only applies to the overtly environmentally conscious. It’s something that is now widely embraced and continues to evolve.

Mandates change, recycling containers become increasingly prevalent, and the subject of mandatory composting to combat the 26 million tons of food waste that ends up in landfills is more widely discussed. What other trends are we seeing in the waste management industry?

Plastic bans

A trend that is likely to continue to get legs into the future is in regard to how we use plastics. Plastic items are increasingly finding their way into local ecosystems, and it’s a hazard, particularly to wildlife. Polystyrene foam (Styrofoam), once widely used, has for many years now been phased out as a popular packaging material. Unfortunately, there is still a lot of it out there leaching into the groundwater. Plastic shopping bags have been banned in many communities, as have plastic bottles. Look for the continued phase-out of unsustainable materials in the future.

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.

Whether it’s the holidays or a big event that generates mounds upon mounds of waste, there are a variety tips you should consider to better manage the waste. Do yourself, your neighbors and your environment a favor and research ways to reduce the waste. Here are a handful of tips for your consideration.

Give an experience instead of stuff

There are ways to reduce waste you generate at home and through your good will to others. For instance, instead of sending a Holiday, birthday or anniversary card through the mail, consider an e-card instead. Furthermore, when it comes to waste, give the gift of an experience instead of a bulky item that has excessive packaging. If your friend or family member is a skier, offer a gift certificate to their favorite slope. Just about everyone loves to go out for dinner, so offer a gift certificate to their favorite restaurant. Get creative and think of ways you can impact someone’s life through an experience rather than a material good.

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.

It’s growing increasingly apparent that everyone needs to step up to help remedy the problems we’ve caused with the environment since the industrial revolution began more than a two centuries ago. Fortunately, it doesn’t have to be that difficult to make a positive impact.

1. Unplug

   Many people are unaware of something called a phantom load. This is the terminology used to describe the energy your appliances use even when they aren’t turned on, and it’s costing you money and it’s putting a strain on energy resources. Unplug your appliances when you aren’t using them.

2. Ease Up on the Bathing

   Relaxing in a hot shower or bath feels great, but you’re not doing the environment any favors, especially in drought-stricken areas. Did you know that if you take a minute off each shower you take, you could save around more than 100 gallons of water every month? Give it a try.