How to Protect my Driveway from a Dumpster

If there is one downside of a dumpster rental, it is that the average dumpster can weigh an absurd amount once it is full of refuse. When you place a dumpster on a concrete, stone, or asphalt driveway, there is always a chance that this added weight can lead directly to driveway damage. But how do you protect your driveway from this weight damage without getting in the way of the dumpster rental service?

How can a dumpster damage my driveway?

When you protect your driveway from a dumpster, you are usually preventing a range of different issues. However, the most common – and most obvious – is cracks or splits caused by the heavyweight of the dumpster rentals themselves. If you have part of a driveway that isn’t flat, such as a curved section, a dumpster can end up pushing down on specific points rather than lying flat against the ground. This can slowly damage those points and lead to the surface cracking or denting, and might even break through the driveway entirely.

Choosing a Spot

The best way to protect your driveway from the beginning is to choose the right dumpster delivery point. Ideally, your dumpster rental should be able placed on a tough driveway material such as thick asphalt or concrete. However, you shouldn’t place the dumpster on soft grass just to avoid property damage, since this can make it far harder for the dumpster companies to collect it.

Try to place the dumpster in a level area of your driveway, avoiding any bumps or curves that might put most of the weight on two or three points. The more contact the dumpster has with the ground, the less dumpster damage it will cause since the weight is being spread out across the concrete evenly. Remember that adding more items to a dumpster increases its weight, meaning that it might only cause dumpster damage to the ground after it is partially full.

Keep in mind that you also need your dumpster rental to be in a convenient place. Avoiding driveway dumpster damage is always good, but in some cases, it is worth having the dumpster close to your home or work site even if that could lead to slightly more property damage. Having to carry debris all the way to the bottom of your driveway can be much more of an annoyance than mild driveway damage from a heavy dumpster.

Protect Your Driveway

Before the dumpster rental service actually delivers your dumpster, there are certain ways to prepare ahead of time. You won’t usually need to tell the rental company about this, although you should still be there when it arrives to make sure that they place the container in the right spot. There are no ‘perfect’ ways to protect driveways from damage like this, and it all comes down to the situation you are in.

Whether your drive is made of brickwork, solid materials, or even just gravel, finding the best solution ahead of time always helps. The more prepared you are for the delivery truck, and the more precautions you have in place, the easier it becomes to make sure that your driveway stays in one piece and doesn’t crack or warp from long-term dumpster use.

Distribute Weight

One way that you can reduce direct damage to the driveway is by using something to spread the weight out. When a dumpster rental company arrives with your dumpster, you generally get to tell them where to place the dumpster – in this case, rather than just telling them to put it on the driveway, you can prepare a specific place for them to deliver it.

A common method of preventing property damage is to place plywood boards underneath the dumpster wheels, spreading out the weight and putting another layer between the dumpster and the driveway. When you place plywood boards or other solid layers beneath a heavy object, the weight is distributed into the plywood first, then the driveway, meaning that it isn’t coming directly from the wheels.

Variations on this plywood trick are the best way to avoid damage in general. Most driveway damage from a dumpster rental is caused by a lot of weight concentrated into a small area, such as the wheels of a dumpster that is full of heavy debris. This can be even more noticeable with a roll-off dumpster since the average roll-off dumpster rental option will be built entirely around the wheels rather than having any solid bottom pieces.

How to Protect my Driveway from a Dumpster

Avoid Heat

In hotter conditions and bright sunlight, certain driveway materials can actually begin to soften or become less resistant to weight. As you might expect, a dumpster rental company placing a heavy container on a hot surface can sometimes lead to near-permanent damage, causing it to warp underneath the wheels.

To make this easier, you can specify a shaded area to the dumpster rental services when they deliver. Even the shade of a tree can be enough: anything to reduce the excess heat and brightness. Watch out for other sources of heat, too, and make sure that nothing in the dumpster catches fire: if it does, the heat might spread to the dumpster itself, then to the wheels, which could lead to certain driveway materials scorching or even melting.

Avoid Overfilling

One of the biggest mistakes you can make with a dumpster is ignoring the rules of the rental company. Most dumpster rental companies have restrictions on certain material types and overall load in the dumpster. This isn’t just so that the dumpster rental can limit how you use their products: it is to prevent excessive damage or issues with using the container.

When dumpster rental companies place limits on how you can use the disposal dumpster, it is because they know that exceeding these limits can be a bad thing. Sometimes it can cause damage, and in other cases, it can lead to the dumpster itself being almost impossible to retrieve. Certain materials might even corrode through the dumpster itself and start eating away at the driveway materials.

Even without restrictions from a dumpster rental company, though, you should take the heaviness of each item into account. A project might produce a lot of bricks, for example, and while they are not individually heavy, they can quickly add up into a very hefty pile of trash and waste.

Use The Right Dumpster Type

Sometimes, avoiding surface damage can be as simple as choosing the right container for your location or project. A large roll-off dumpster is excellent for situations where you need to collect a lot of debris, but if you only need something relatively small and compact, then you are putting more pressure on your driveway for no real reason. Many people will gravitate towards larger dumpsters even if they are not necessary, and it is easy to overestimate just how much space you actually need for a given project.

Of course, if you do need a larger and more damaging dumpster, then preparing the space can still help. The trick of putting plywood beneath the wheels works with any kind of dumpster and can generally always work as expected, meaning that it is worth trying even if you don’t think you will need that extra protection.

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How to dispose of hazardous waste

Hazardous waste disposal is a tricky situation as there are a lot of restrictions around this issue.

Almost every household in the United States contains some kind of hazardous waste that needs to be disposed of. Common items like pesticides, fertilizers, household cleaning products, and motor oil are considered to be forms of hazardous waste.

Hazardous waste is chemicals that are prohibited by the public works from being disposed of in the municipal waste system. The same rules apply to most dumpster rentals.

This is why disposing hazardous waste can be such a tricky subject, but we have created this quick guide to help you out.

What is Household Hazardous Waste?

Most households in the US will have some kind of hazardous waste that they need to dispose of. These are chemicals that cannot be thrown out with the rest of the trash due to the risks they pose to human health and the environment.

There are a lot of people that have to handle your trash after you have taken it out, from landfill workers to those who work in recycling facilities.

Chemicals that can be found in common household items can pose a huge safety concern, which is why they need to be disposed of separately.

Common household hazardous items include:

  • Paint and paint cans even if they are empty with residential residue
  • Batteries – while small alkaline batteries can be thrown in the trash sometimes, this is only in small quantities
  • Kitchen and bathroom cleaners
  • Bleach
  • Any kind of automatic fluid
  • Motor oil
  • Medication
  • Pool chemicals used for cleaning
  • Lawn or garden fertilizers
  • Varnishes and stains
  • Bug killers and pest sprays

While these are common household products, they are considered to be hazardous wastes due to the chemicals they have within them. This is why the disposal of them can be tricky and requires more consideration than other household trash.

It is not only important to ensure that household hazardous waste does not end up in the public works trash collections because of the risk to human health, there are also environmental risks to consider.

Going through the correct haz waste disposal methods will prevent these chemicals from going into sewers, storm drains, and illegal dumpsites.

These chemicals can also easily end up in the underground water we drink, as well as polluting rivers, lakes and destroying wildlife.

 

How Serious is Household Hazardous Waste?

You may think that throwing away a small amount of kitchen cleaner or motor oil into the trash will not have that much of an impact on the environment, but you will be mistaken.

Hazardous materials like this can cause a lot of damage, even in small quantities.

If everyone has the same mindset when it comes to hazardous waste management, we will quickly end up with gallons of motor oil or other harmful chemicals in places that it should not be.

Following the correct disposal methods for hazardous waste will reduce your environmental impact and keep others safe.

The Correct Methods of Hazardous Waste Disposal

As you cannot throw hazardous materials in the trash, you might find that it is difficult to dispose of these kinds of materials. However, this does not have to be the case.

You must contact your local waste management to see what their stance of hazardous waste disposal is.

Some locations will have set days on which they offer hazardous waste disposal collections. For example, in the District of Columbia, these days take place throughout the year.

For residents in the District of Columbia, hazardous waste disposal collections take place every Saturday between 8 am and 3 pm. In the District of Columbia, it is forbidden to dispose of hazardous waste in the trash.

This is why the authorities in the District of Columbia offer hazardous waste recycling collections throughout the year.

Make sure to contact your local authority to see what collection days they offer.

For those in Washington DC 20009 phone area, contact us for free information regarding hazardous waste management.

Other options for the disposal of certain kinds of hazardous waste are available.

For example, there are some recycling collections available for motor oil, as this can be recycled at most local oil change centers. Similarly, lead-acid batteries that are used in vehicles can commonly be recycled at the place of purchase or other auto part stores.

There are a lot of options when it comes to hazardous waste disposal, and recycling these chemicals is becoming as common as recycling coffee grounds in many cities.

As always, speak to your local authorities for more information on hazardous item disposal.

Those in DC, contact us for more information about hazardous waste management in this area. DC contact can also be done by entering your zip code in the search box.

How to Dispose of Everyday Household Items

It is very easy to throw away household items without a second thought, but is that really the best way to handle them? Many of the things that get thrown away can be disposed of in ways that make them more useful, even if they are broken or damaged to the point of not functioning as they should. Many of us own items that we have never really known what to do with, so here is some advice on how to dispose of our everyday household items without making them just another piece of trash.

Why not just throw them away?

There is technically nothing wrong with just having everything you don’t need thrown away, but it can quickly become a problem. Not only is it bad for the environment in general, but it misses out on some interesting opportunities for re-using or breaking down items into something that might actually help you do something new. While ‘real’ waste such as construction debris and old food can simply be thrown away with no need to think about them, there are many common household items that go unnoticed because they are “junk” or “waste,” even when there are better ways to clear them out of your home.

In some cases, taking an item to local recycling centers can also be a much more eco-friendly way of dealing with them, even if they are otherwise useless to you. In many cases, furniture can be broken down into recyclable parts that are much easier to handle. Otherwise, you might choose to sell some common household items or donate them to somebody who can use them.

Since there isn’t a single best way to handle any specific item, this quick guide will cover most of the common options, as well as advice on how to properly dispose of some items that you might struggle with initially.

Trashing Waste

One of the most direct ways to dispose of some household items is by throwing them away. It could be waste material, debris from a construction job or renovation, items that are damaged and no longer safe to use, or even just pieces of furniture that are good for nothing but a junk pile. Regardless of what they are, sometimes you just want to throw items away and be done with them, but it can be difficult to know how if you aren’t already prepared.

By Hand

One of the quickest ways to get rid of a household item that is effectively waste is to just throw it into your normal bin or trash can. While this won’t work for everything, it can be an excellent way to get rid of common household items that don’t have any special recycling or scrapping needs, such as food packaging or old pieces of material. For example, you might choose to throw curtains away, which you can absolutely do at almost any moment.

Of course, the downside to putting items directly into your trash can is that they still need to be emptied in the same way, and you will always have limited space. In many cases, trash cans are already going to fill up quite quickly if you are throwing away a lot of food packaging and other day-to-day items, so it can be important to make sure that you don’t overload your bin or end up with no room to throw away actual waste.

However…

Also, some items can’t be disposed of like this, no matter what. Certain liquids will need to be contained and disposed of in other ways, and corrosive materials almost always require highly specialized methods of removal. In some instances, you might not even be able to trash an otherwise normal item because it contains a material that can’t be processed by the local waste plant, although this is often rare.

While this is one of the most convenient options for clearing out old waste from your home, it is also the least inspired, and can often cause extra damage to the environment that is otherwise very easy to avoid.

Through a Dumpster

Dumpsters can be an excellent option for handling household items, acting as larger and more reliable alternatives to the humble trash can. While they might seem similar at face value, using a dumpster can give you a much larger container that is able to hold all kinds of trash and debris. A dumpster has to be delivered to your home with a truck, and it can be expensive if you keep one throughout the entire year, but that is hardly the point of them.

Renting a dumpster can, in short bursts, give you a way to remove all household waste in one go. You could clear all of the furniture out of a living room or take down an entire dividing wall and still have room for your own personal trash, and many dumpster companies also handle the disposal side of the arrangement, meaning that you just need to fill it up before the deadline and allow them to get rid of your waste.

However…

However, it is important to note that these dumpsters usually go straight to landfills. The dumpsters themselves get re-used, but if you have any recyclable materials in there, they will also go into the landfill. For items that can’t easily be recycled, this is a great choice, but for people with an eco-friendly focus, there is often a better option available.

By Recycling

Recycling old waste is always the best choice for people who have it as an option, especially if the local recycling program is a good one. You can recycle almost anything: aluminum cans, paper bag containers, bottle caps, cereal boxes, glass jars, aerosol cans, and even certain types of plastic. For example, if you have furniture that you want to break down, you can dismantle it and separate the wood from the metal, then quickly take it to a recycling center to dispose of it.

Another recycling option that many people overlook is DIY. You can reduce the amount of trash in your home by spending some time recycling it into other items: this could be as simple as making a regular food can into a plant pot or turning old pieces of wood into a wall display. You don’t have to throw out every piece of material in your home just because it could be considered “trash,” and many items are very easy to turn into something new.

DIY Creations

Remember that even some non-recyclable items can be recycled. In fact, using non-recyclable trash for DIY projects means that you don’t end up throwing it away, preventing it from going into a landfill. You might be able to use old cell phones for something new if you are good at messing around with electronics, or turn old light bulbs into a small art piece rather than simply dumping them in a trash can.

What are some household items that can be recycled?

While most of us know about the common recycling ideas that we see on every website, there is also a considerable amount of non-standard items that most households have, which can be recycled or turned into part of a DIY project. One of the best ways to approach your junk is to make it all useful, after all, so having a keen eye and a few clever ideas can save you a lot of time (and sometimes money) if you know what to look for.

Junk Mail

Many people completely forget about junk mail, especially if they leave it in a drawer or tucked behind a certain piece of furniture so that they don’t have to deal with it. Junk letters can quickly add up, and might eventually start to become such a problem that you can’t escape seeing them anymore. If you don’t actually need the letters, you can often convert them into something more useful, or send them off to some recycling programs so that they can be turned back into paper.

Old Televisions

If you still own an old television or other aged electronics, recycling them can sometimes be an excellent alternative to selling them. Many people simply won’t be interested in buying an old TV for anything other than a tiny amount of money, which can make it pointless to try and turn a profit on something so old. If you are getting no buyers, then you can often find businesses that will include TVs or similar electronics in their recycling programs.

Of course, you can also re-use them for DIY projects, or keep them as a spare TV for very specific occasions. Electronic experts might even decide to take apart the television entirely and use the components within for their own projects.

Power Cords

Many people keep drawers full of old chargers and power cables, even ones that they no longer need after they have upgraded their cell phones or moved on to other electronics. If you can identify which of these items you don’t need anymore, then you can easily turn them into a recycling program and make sure that they get used for something helpful.

Once again, old cables can also be a nice inclusion for DIY projects, even just as a visual element. It isn’t always easy to find a tough, string-like material, and there are plenty of ways to turn old cords into something a bit more unique.

How do I get rid of large household items?

The biggest problem when recycling or trying to clean up your home is the size of certain objects. Whether that is kitchen appliances, big suits of furniture, or just other items that are too large to properly dispose of in the normal way, you might find it hard to decide what to do about things that can’t fit into a normal recycling bin or trash can. However, there are ways to get rid of them quite quickly if you prepare properly.

Dumpsters

As mentioned earlier, dumpsters offer an excellent way for individuals, families, or even whole communities to quickly get rid of larger items without needing to move them very far on their own. The most you will usually have to do is carry the item out of your home – this can be difficult either way, but at least you don’t have to fit it inside a car or van.

Hiring a dumpster can cost a certain amount of money per day, but you usually have a deadline before the original rental company comes to dispose of the contents. If you have a week, this gives you plenty of time to decide which items you want and which items you don’t. As long as you put everything you want to remove inside the dumpster before it can be picked up, you can sit back and let the company handle it for you with nothing else to worry about.

Keep in mind that you might have to work inside certain rules and restrictions. A dumpster might allow certain things (like toys, appliances, furniture, and tires) but disallow half-empty tins of paint or electronic devices. Every dumpster rental company and organization is different, and going beyond these rules can sometimes lead to extra fines: in many cases, the restrictions are there because the company can’t process a certain type of material.

Breaking them Down

While it has been hinted at here and there throughout this article, breaking down large items can be an effective – and sometimes permanent – solution to getting them into a more manageable form. This can be effective for both regular trash disposal and recycling: in either case, the item isn’t generally going to be put back together at the end, so it doesn’t matter if it arrives in pieces.

For example, you might find that a certain piece of furniture won’t fit into your vehicle, meaning that you can’t take it to the recycling center. However, if you are able to break it in half or dismantle each side into a separate piece, you might have much less trouble getting it to fit inside your vehicle. Even at a basic level, this also allows you to find any non-recyclable parts and separate them, ensuring that you are not adding any non-recyclable materials to the recycling chain.

If you are a fan of DIY, then this can still come in handy. Recycling items for your own purposes can always seem tricky, but if you break it down into the original components or pieces, it might suddenly become much more clear. For example, it is much easier to see the potential in a collection of wooden panels than in a free-standing shelf unit with nothing special about it.

What are 5 things you can do to reduce waste?

Recycling and throwing away our trash is always an option, but ideally, we should be able to reduce the amount we are creating in the first place. There is no ‘all rights reserved, copyright 2020’-style solution that a company can offer you, and it all comes down to what is possible within your own home and lifestyle. Reducing the amount of garbage we produce is never a bad thing, especially for the eco-conscious people among us.

Re-use Everything

Re-use everything. It doesn’t matter how long you have owned something or what it was originally for: everything, from drinks containers to carrier bags, can be used over and over again. You don’t even need to use them in the same way or for the exact same purpose. The longer you can avoid throwing away an item, the less trash you will produce overall.

Avoid Single-Use Items

One of the biggest enemies of recycling is the single-use container or utensil. Anything that is designed to be tossed away after use is an awful piece of junk, and the more you use them, the more of a problem it can become for the environment. While you can sometimes re-use them, this isn’t always an option.

Check Recycling Details

Never assume that something isn’t eligible for recycling. Many people assume that all plastics can’t be recycled or that certain types of cardboard aren’t able to be placed in recycling plants. Research each item, or take a look at the labels on the packaging, and try to make sure that you are correct. Not only can this help you find more items that might be recycling-friendly, but it can also stop you from trying to recycle non-recyclable items because you just assumed that they were allowed.

Buy Second-hand

Another way to reduce the amount of trash you produce is to buy things that have already been owned and used. While many people have a stigma against the idea of using somebody else’s possessions, there are many cases where there isn’t even a noticeable difference in quality over a brand-new version of the same item. Considering they can also be far cheaper – and have sometimes even been modified by the previous owner in a way that makes them unique – pre-owned items are a good way of expanding your list of possessions without simply buying something brand new and leaving the old one to get scrapped.

 

How to calculate what size dumpster you need

With any kind of construction or DIY project, such as a home renovation or clear-out, there will be a lot of waste that you need to get rid of responsibly. When you are working on a large project, hiring a dumpster is recommended for responsible waste removal.

Dumpster rental is the best option for large projects, but you do have a lot of things to consider to get the right dumpster for your needs.

Rental companies have a range of dumpsters available to hire, as they vary in dimensions and volume. Finding the right dumpster for your projects will differ based on how much debris and waste you have to dispose of. Standard dumpster size can vary from 10 yard, 20 yard, 30 yard, and 40 yard in terms of the weight and amount of debris they can carry.

As well as deciding what size dumpster is right for your project, you also should consider the kind of dumpster that will be easiest to use. There are several kinds of dumpsters available, including a roll-off dumpster, commercial, residential, and dumpsters based on waste type like recycling or garden waste.

This can be a lot of things to consider at once, and if you have no experience when it comes to dumpster rental, you will need some guidance.

This article is going to help you find what size dumpster you require and offer the easiest way to calculate your required dumpster size so you will be prepared whenever you next need to hire one, whether that is for commercial or residential projects.

General Dumpster Size Chart

Dumpsters are typically categorized by the amount of debris they can hold in volume at any dumpster rental company. This measurement is given in cubic yards. For example, a 10 yard dumpster will be able to hold 10 cubic yards of debris.

The size of a dumpster will determine what kind of projects they will be suitable for. Here is a quick overview of the different size dumpsters that are available and what they are commonly used for to give you some examples.

  • 10 Yard

This dumpster can handle 10 cubic yards of debris, which translates to 2 tonnes in weight.

This size offers around 3 pickup truck loads of debris, and they are most commonly used for dirt produced during small construction projects.

This size dumpster is best for small, short-term projects such as a garage or home clear-out, room remodeling, or for hauling materials such as brick, concrete, and dirt during construction projects. This kind of dumpster generally measures around 14 feet in length.

  • 20 Yard

This is the standard size of a dumpster that you can hire and is the most commonly used for a range of needs. This size dumpster can be used by homeowners and contractors working on medium-size projects.

A 20 yard dumpster roughly translates to 6 pickup truck loads, and they can be used for a range of waste and debris.

  • 30 Yard

A dumpster that offers 30 cubic yards of volume can provide around 9 pickup truck loads, making this dumpster rental suitable for larger-scale projects.

This kind of dumpster can be used for a whole home renovation project, window and door replacements, as well as a large landscaping project such as cutting down trees.

  • 40 Yard

This is usually the largest size of roll-off dumpster that is available to hire. When there is no other dumpster available to do the job, a 40 yard one will do the trick.

These are the best dumpsters for long-term projects, such as a large-scale commercial project, building demolitions, a home renovation project that may take longer than you would expect, and any other project that requires 40 cubic yards of debris to be removed!

How to calculate what size dumpster you need

How To Calculate The Right Dumpster Size For You

As you can see, dumpsters come in a range of sizes based on the volume and weight of debris they can handle.

This means that the size of the dumpster that you hire will be determined on how much debris you will be producing and needing to dispose of.

The size of a dumpster is measured in cubic feet, whereas the volume – which is what we have been discussing above – is measured in cubic yards.

Dumpsters are categorized based on how much volume they can carry, which is how much debris they can remove, but you also should be aware of the different sizes of a roll-off dumpster too.

What Does Cubic Mean?

A dumpster is measured in either cubic feet, for the dimensions, or cubic yard, for the volume.

This is because they are rectangular, so they need to be measured in a cube of space. Generally, a cube of space is 3 feet x width of 3 feet x height of 3 feet x depth is 1 cubic yard. For reference, this is roughly the size of a household stove.

With this in mind, the cubic volume of a dumpster – which is how they are categorized – is calculated by multiplying the dimensions of the dumpster.

This can then be converted into cubic yards, which is what you will use to determine what kind of dumpster you need to hire.

For example, to determine whether you need a 20 yard, 30 cubic yard, or 40 cubic yard dumpster for your project, you will need to measure the dimensions of a roll-off dumpster. This will give you a measurement in cubic feet.

The see how much debris the dumpster can safely hold and therefore dispose of, you will need to covert the volume of the dumpster into cubic yards.

Remember that one cubic yard is roughly 3 feet x 3 feet x 3 feet.

Consider The Weight

As well as considering the volume of dumpster that you will need, it is important to think about the weight too.

Chances are the debris that your project causes will have some kind of weight to it. Different kinds of debris will have different weights to them. For example, bricks are going to heavier than leaves, and branches are taken from a landscaping project.

You must estimate how much weight is required to prevent an overcharge or additional fees when hiring dumpsters, as well as ensuring that your waste disposal will be safe to complete.

The ideal size of the dumpster you hire should be large enough to contain all the weight and debris and you have to dispose of with some room left over that can be used for unaccounted waste, which is unavoidable in all projects.

How to avoid overage fees when renting a dumpster

While estimating what kind of dumpster you need is not an easy task, it is something you should spend time on to avoid extra fees.

It is possible to find a dumpster rental company that offers good dumpster fees so you can clear out your home without breaking the bank, but this will not be the case if you do not plan properly.

Failing to plan and estimate correctly before a dumpster rental can result in overage fees, which will be added on to the cost of renting, delivery and removal fees.

What Are Overage Fees?

Overage fees are extra fees that will be added to the final bill of renting a dumpster if the weight or load exceeds what the dumpster size can handle.

When renting a dumpster, there are some rental fees that you automatically have to pay, such as the delivery and removal fees, as well as the cost of hiring the actual roll off dumpster itself.

If you do not plan properly, then you will be charged additional costs if your dumpster is too full or too heavy to be taken away safely.

What is The Weight Allowance Of A Roll Off Dumpster?

Before going through with a dumpster rental, you will need to discuss with the dumpster rental company about the kinds of containers they have available.

Dumpsters come in different sizes, which means they each have different weight and load limits.

To avoid dumpster overage fees, you will need to make sure that you are hiring the right dumpster size based on what you need to get rid of.

This means considering how much debris will be created through the DIY or constriction project you are working on and whether this is safe for the weight allowance of the container.

As a brief guideline, here are the average weight allowances of the different sizes of container:

  • 10 Yard: 2 tons or 4,000 pounds
  • 20 Yard: 4 tons or 8,000 pounds
  • 30 Yard: 4 tons or 8,000 pounds
  • 40 Yard: 6 tons or 12,000 pounds

It is important to note that the weight allowance of a container can differ based on the dumpster rental company you use, so make sure to ask for this information before hiring one.

How to avoid overage fees when renting a dumpster

How To Avoid Overage Dumpster Rental Charges?

It is possible to completely avoid additional rental costs when you choose to hire a container for your home clear out, DIY or construction project. It is a matter of careful planning and consideration.

To avoid additional charges, you need to:

  • Know What You Will Get Rid Of

The kind of debris that ends up in a dumpster will affect how much hiring the container will cost.

Some dumpster rental companies have unique guidelines for different kinds of debris and waste items, so make sure you are aware of these before using them. These conditions will be based on the sort of debris that they can dispose of safely.

Taking the time to consider what kind of debris and waste items you will be throwing away is a great way to estimate what size dumpster you need. If you are getting rid of large household items, such as furniture, then you will need a larger dumpster than someone who is only throwing away sand and dust from a construction site.

  • Pick The Right Dumpster Size

Now that you have spent some time figuring out what you will be using your dumpster for, it will be much easier to decide what size of dumpster you need to rent and how long for.

The best way to avoid overage fees is by getting a large enough dumpster for all of your debris and waste in the first place. This will save you from having too much weight in the container, and thus having to pay additional charges or having to hire a second dumpster when the first becomes too full.

When you are considering what size dumpster you need, always lean towards the larger option. It is better to have extra room in the container than running out and having to pay for more.

  • Return The Dumpster On Time

When you go through a dumpster rental, you will notice that there are different kinds of rental periods that you can choose from.

If you are working on a large construction project or home clear out, it is recommended that you rent the dumpster long term to avoid additional charges.

If you cannot get the dumpster delivered back to the rental company on time, you will have to pay extra. This is why you must choose a rental period that offers you enough time to remove all the debris from your site and get your home organized.

  • Do Not Fill Above The Weight Limit

All dumpsters have a weight limit, and you mustn’t go over this when getting rid of debris and waste from your site.

While planning and getting a larger dumpster than you think you need are good precautions to take, sometimes unexpected things happen within a construction project. This can result in additional debris, and therefore more weight, having to be added to the dumpster.

If you feel like you will exceed the limits of the dumpster throughout your project, make sure to hire a second dumpster instead of taking the risk.

Not only will exceeding the limits of the dumpster result in additional charges for you, but it is also very dangerous.

Hiring a second dumpster is an additional cost that you might not have been expecting, but it will work out cheaper than having to pay for overage charges on top of the original cost of dumpster rental.

Final Notes

Before hiring a dumpster, ensure that you take some time to consult with the rental company about the options you have and what size container will be best for you.

Planning is the best way to avoid unwanted charges and ensure that your project will be safe to complete.

How much waste does a 10 yard dumpster hold

If you are doing a relatively small home renovation project or yard work, then you will want to find a dumper for rent in order to deal with the debris left from your project. Dumpsters come in many different sizes, and it is important to consider how many cubic yards you need and the weight limit for each dumpster size from your chosen dumpster rental provider.

If you are only doing yard work or a smaller project, then a 10 yard dumpster might be perfect for your needs. Let us take a look at all of the details of 10 yard dumpsters, from weight limit to rental period to prices. Below, you will find your one-stop-shop for everything you need to know about 10 yard bin dumpers for rent.

What are 10 yard dumpsters?

A 10 yard roll off dumpster is the smallest standard renting dumpster, ideal for home projects or for disposing of dense waste such as yard debris like wet leaves and waste wood from tree maintenance projects. These dumpsters are known as “10 yard” dumpsters because they have a volume of 10 cubic yards, much smaller than the 20, 30, or 40 cubic yard dumpster sizes that are more common for industrial or commercial waste.

There are several different dumpster sizes available, all of which have their own advantages and disadvantages, but the 10 yard bin size is generally the most affordable option, as long as you can fit your waste into its weight limit.

Dumpster sizes

The four standard sizes of dumpster are the 10 yard dumpster, the 20 yard dumpster, the 30 yard dumpster, and the 40 yard dumpster. Each of these is named for the number of cubic feet of space inside the dumpster, and therefore the amount of waste you can fit inside it. Larger dumpsters generally cost more to rent, with a 10 yard dumpster rental likely to have the lowest prices in almost every situation.

How big is a 10 yard dumpster?

A 10 yard roll off dumpster always has a volume of 10 cubic yards, but its external dimensions can vary a bit. In most cases, a portable 10 yard roll off dumpster is around 3.5 feet tall, 7.5 feet wide, and 14 feet long.

How much waste does a 10 yard dumpster hold

How much waste does a 10 yard dumpster hold?

A 10 yard bin dumpster can hold 10 cubic yards of waste. That is around 50 to 70 standard-sized 33 gallon trash bags. In most cases, this size of dumpsters to rent has a weight limit of somewhere about 1 or 2 tons of debris or waste, but that might vary depending on your chosen dumpster rental provider.

What sort of projects is a 10 yard dumpster right for?

This size of dumpster is smaller and more cost-effective than most larger options and is ideal for smaller projects. This includes home junk disposal, garden projects debris, garage cleanouts, or other home projects that produce debris.

Dumpster rental prices

The costs of dumpster rental vary depending on location, size, and weight limits. In most cases, though, a 10 yard dumpster for standard debris is likely to cost you around $400. You might be able to get one for as low as $200 if you are lucky, and the upper threshold is closer to $950 if you need a higher weight threshold for your debris.

How long are dumpsters for rent for?

Most standard companies will rent you a 10 yard dumpster for a standard rental period of between 7 and 10 days. For longer-term projects, you might be able to get an extended rental, but if you are doing a large scale long term project, then you might need a larger dumpster that can hold more debris. Alternatively, for a small scale, quick project that will not need too much debris disposing of, you can often get a short term rental of only 3 to 5 days, which can save you a fair bit of money if you will not be needing your dumpster for a full week.

Preparing to rent a dumpster

There are a few things you should bear in mind when you are preparing your home and yard for the arrival of your dumpster. The more preparation you do in advance, the smoother your rental is likely to go!

Make space

If your yard is cluttered, you will not be able to fit the dumpster in when it arrives. You are going to need to make sure that you have got about 60 feet of space in your driveway for the dumpster to be dropped off. Make sure that any cars or other obstacles are moved out of the way well in advance.

Vertical space

During drop off and pick up, a dumpster has to be lifted up in the air. Make sure you have got vertical space in your driveway as well as floor space! You will want to be sure that there are no branches or wires in a vertical space of about 23 feet above the ground of your driveway.

Time planning

Most dumpster rental companies will not give you a narrow window of time in which your dumpster could arrive. Instead, they are much more likely to just give you a day. Make sure everything is cleared up in advance, and do not leave it till the last minute. The good news, though, is that in most cases, you will not need to wait around – a dumper can be dropped off for you even if you are not at home at the time!

Fill carefully

When it comes to filling dumpsters, make sure you know what materials are approved for the bin in question, as well as keeping the weight limit in mind at all times. It is important not to contaminate a clean waste bin or a recycling bin! It is even more important to ensure that you do not go over the weight limit, or you could be charged a very substantial overage free.

Conclusion

The most common reason to need to rent 10 yard sized dumpsters is standard yard work. Wet leaves, grass clippings, and branches are all heavy but not generally large enough to need a 20 yard bin or larger. That being said, it is always better to err on the side of too much space than to risk too little. If you have hired a bin that is bigger than you need, it will cost you more than you might want to spend. If your bins are too small for your waste, however, then you have a problem! Overage charges for overfilling can be painfully expensive, so you should consider the amount of space you need in advance and make sure that you rent the right sized bin for your particular needs. With the help of our guide above, you should be able to tell if 10 yards is enough for you or if your chosen project is actually going to need more space!

 

How much does yard waste removal cost?

Yard waste from home maintenance tasks such as lawn care, sweeping up leaves, tree surgery, or other things can take up a great deal of space in your yard, so working out how to get rid of it is an important part of any sort of major yard project. Yard debris removal is a major industry in the united states, from cities like Washington DC to more rural areas, and there are many different companies that can offer you a yard waste disposal service at a reasonable price. Let us take a look at how much you might expect to have to pay for various different services, from waste pickup to junk removal and removing old tree branches that are taking up space.

Disposing of yard waste by dumping

Let us get one thing out of the way before looking into other options for disposing yard waste: dumping your yard waste is illegal. In most areas, such as Washington DC, it is straightforwardly illegal to dump yard waste such as branches, leaves, and grass clippings anywhere other than designated dumping areas such as landfills. You cannot legally get rid of your yard waste by ditching it by the side of the road or anywhere on your own land, and that largely means that it is, unfortunately, impossible to get rid of large amounts of waste from your front yard for free.

Your only options for yard waste removal are to drive all of your waste to a processing facility yourself, which is affordable but can be a lot of work, particularly for yard waste like large, heavy branches or enormous piles of wet leaves, or alternatively, you could engage the services of a professional waste removal company. Fortunately, for those who do not have easy access to a truck with which they can dispose of yard waste, there are many different yard waste removal companies available to save you the time and work here, particularly in urban areas like Washington DC.

Renting a dumpster for yard waste removal

One of the easiest ways to dispose of yard waste such as grass clippings, leaves, or tree branches, is to rent a dumpster for yard waste removal. In general, and particularly in municipal areas such as Washington DC, it is illegal to dispose yard waste in a regular landfill service; you can’t legally mix yard debris with standard waste, which makes it a bit harder to get rid of waste from your back or front yard work. You will need to engage with a specialist junk removal service for yard debris, such as renting a dumpster.

When you load up your yard waste dumpster, make sure that you do not put any standard municipal waste such as building materials or household trash into the dumpster. This means that the waste pickup service can simply pick up your full yard waste dumpster, drive it off, and dump it at an appropriate processing facility for yard waste.

Make sure you research environmental laws governing your area before you start looking for a junk removal service that will rent you a dumpster. This is important, no matter whether you live in a rural area or a big city like Washington DC.

One of the big things that will affect the cost of dumpster rental for yard waste disposal is the size of dumpster you rent. Many rental companies will only allow you to rent a 20 yard or smaller dumpster for yard waste removal, which is enough for most purposes, but if you are doing very large scale yard work, you might need a larger dumpster, such as a 30 or 40 yard option, which can be harder to find. If you are unsure what a company will offer you, call their customer service helpline for advice!

Yard debris tends to be quite heavy, with dense items such as heavy logs, dirt, and wet leaves weighing a lot more than most commercial waste. That means that most removal service providers will have a waste limit as well as a size limit, and you may find that some companies that offer this service (particularly urban ones such as those in areas like Washington DC) will only allow you to put your heavier, denser waste in smaller dumpsters of around 10 yards in size. Let us take a look at the average prices for waste removal with a dumpster rental service.

On average, a 10 yard dumpster will cost around $300 to rent, a 20 yard dumpster will cost around $400, a 30 yard dumpster will cost a little under $450, and most 40 yard dumpsters cost just under $500 to rent. This cost may vary a fair bit, though, as some companies providing a yard waste removal service will charge less for yard waste than for general municipal waste removal. Costs will also vary slightly due to things like credit card fees and the length of time you need to rent the dumpster for.

Yard waste removal pickup services

Your regular weekly municipal trash collection may be able to help you with your yard waste, as long as you are only dealing with relatively small quantities, such as with a quantity of grass clippings or leaves. This service won’t work so well for larger waste situations, such as if you have a number of large, heavy tree branches to dispose of.

In general, this is one of the most affordable yard waste removal options available, but it comes with a number of restrictions. Firstly, it may not be available in your area; in urban areas like Washington DC, it is generally an option, but more rural areas can be more difficult. If you are unsure, contact your local waste collection customer service representative to find out more.

The other major limitation is on size and timing, which can be a problem if you are trying to dispose of large amounts of yard waste or bulkier yard items such as branches. Municipal waste collection is generally limited to smaller amounts of yard waste or other waste and will be limited to the standard weekly trash collection days and times. That means that you could have a pile of yard waste cluttering up your yard for up to a week before it gets collected; if time is pressing, you will have to choose another option.

When using municipal waste collection options, you should make sure you follow whatever your local waste collection restrictions are. Many regions require you to ensure your waste is packaged appropriately, usually in specialized yard waste bags rather than standard trash bags. You should always check with your local service to find out exactly what types of yard waste they will accept and what the local packaging restrictions are for curb side yard waste removal as part of weekly trash pickup.

Hiring a professional junk hauling service

If you have a large amount of yard waste to dispose of but do not want to have a dumpster filling half your lawn for up to a month, you could try hiring a junk hauling company to dispose of your yard waste. In general, these companies will accept large quantities of waste, but they tend to charge based on the amount of space in their truck that your waste occupies. That means that they can’t provide more than a rough cost estimate in advance, so you cannot plan your costs particularly extensively before they arrive.

When you hire a junk removal business to take away your yard waste, they will provide a two-hour window for collecting your waste. You will need to ensure that you are on-site during that two-hour window and that all of your waste is fully prepared for pickup before they arrive. This will save you the work of loading up all of your debris, as their staff will do that for you, but it can be time consuming and expensive. If your debris takes up a great deal of space, then a dumpster is a much more practical option, as the scale at which junk removal companies tend to operate is such that this option is only economically practical for smaller quantities of yard waste and other debris.

Recycling yard waste

Some types of yard waste can be easily recycled into helpful garden products, which is a more affordable option that is often beneficial for the environment, too. This is a great option if your yard waste is primarily wooden branches or compostable material like leaves or grass clippings, but won’t work so well for old machinery or concrete!

If you have a lot of wood lying around as a result of a tree maintenance project, you could try turning it into a helpful mulch that you could use around the yard at any time. A great way to do this is to rent a wood chipper, which can be surprisingly affordable. It will take a bit of effort to cut larger branches down to size, but you can end up with a large sack of mulch that is perfect for your plants and can save you a great deal of money on both waste disposal and buying mulch!

If you find that you often have a lot of grass clippings and leaves to dispose of, then it might be worth buying a composting bin. This can be easily set up in the corner of your yard and is a great way to compost many types of yard waste. Just fill your composting bin up with waste and leave it for a few weeks, stirring it occasionally to help it break down. Once it is broken down properly, you can use your fresh compost as a fertilizer around your yard.

If you have a lot of weeds or other plants, however, you should avoid trying to compost these. The composting process does not always break down the seeds of certain weeds, and this can then contaminate the areas you put the compost on later with seeds that then grow into an infestation of weeds.

These options are ideal if you have a large yard that requires a lot of compost or mulch, two products which can become expensive if you use a lot of them. If you have a smaller yard or do not use a lot of mulch or compost for any other reason, then this could leave you with an enormous amount of mulch and compost to work through, which could be an issue. For larger yards, however, renting a woodchipper and buying a composting bin can be one of the most affordable and practical options for getting rid of yard waste, and it is environmentally friendly, too!

Burning yard waste

Burning yard waste is a valid option if you have a large amount of clean yard waste with no chemicals in and sufficient space to safely light a fire. Check your local regulations first, though, as not every area allows the burning of yard waste!

It is important to ensure that you burn your yard debris in a safe, purpose-built fire pit that is at least 150 feet from any building, and that you have someone standing by with a hose at all times.

Conclusion

 

Disposing of yard debris can be time-consuming and potentially expensive, but once you have done it once, it becomes a much easier process. Hiring a small dumpster is generally the best option for most yards, as it is often the most cost-effective option for disposing of heavy debris or larger pieces that take up a lot of space. Before you set up any dumpster rental, ensure that you have checked the local trash disposal regulations for your area, as these can vary significantly. The most important thing to remember in any situation, no matter where you live, is that dumping your yard junk anywhere other than a processing center is illegal, so you should ensure that you know where your local processing locations are and how to access them before you start to work on getting rid of your yard debris!

How much does a 20 yard dumpster hold

When you look into dumpsters to rent, you will notice that there are several main sizes available. A 20 yard dumpster is the most commonly hired container as it is versatile and is widely available in all areas.

Dumpsters for rent are categorized by the volume they can hold, which means that a 20 yard roll off dumpster can hold 20 cubic yards. This statement will certainly amount to many questions from those who are looking for dumpster rental, because what does 20 cubic yards actually look like?

To help you find the right dumpster for rent, whether you are doing a clear out, home renovation, or remodeling, we are going to show you what a 20 yard dumpster can hold.

Why Get A Dumpster To Rent?

Whatever kind of project you are working on, whether that is a home renovation, remodeling, or clear out, you will need a responsible and safe way to dispose of the waste you accumulate.

Regardless of the size of the project, you are working on, looking into dumpsters for rental is the best thing you can do as it will ensure safe waste disposal and can save you time and money.

Dumpster rental allows you to dispose of a lot of waste, debris, and materials at once.

There are different sized dumpsters that you can hire for your project, each with a varying weight limit, as well as an adjustable rental period.

This is a convenient service that can provide delivery and pick up of any waste that has come from your DIY projects or construction projects, ensuring that it is handled responsibly.

With a dumpster on site of your projects, waste will not pile up and cause hazards. Instead, it can be stored in the roll off container ready to be disposed of responsibly by the dumpster rental company at a later date.

While there are several sizes of dumpsters available, 20 yard dumpsters are the most common option for home projects.

20 Yard Dumpster Dimensions

To determine whether a 20 yard dumpster is the right option for your project, we need to take a closer look at the dumpster dimensions.

It is important to note that 20 yard dumpsters may vary in their design, based on the dumpster rental company you choose, but all dumpster sizes are universal.

This means that regardless of where you get your 20 yard dumpster rental, the roll off container will be approximate:

  • 22 x 8 x 4.5 foot (L x W x H)

Some dumpster rental companies will specialize in residential dumpster sizes, which means that if you are working on a home renovation project these containers will be the most suitable for your needs.

Rather than offering a traditional 20 yard roll off container, when you rent this kind of 20 yard dumpster, it will be uniquely designed to suit residential dumpster placement.

Some dumpsters, while still being the universal 20 yard dumpster, may be shorter in length with taller sides to allow for safe residential placement. This means you do not have to disturb your neighborhood or worry about where the container will be stored while your project gets underway.

A traditional 20 yard roll off dumpster may still be a good option for your work, as the options may vary based on the rental company you choose. This is why you should plan and arrange with the rental company the best options for you, based on your location, home size, and so on.

Regardless of the design of your 20 yard dumpster, it will still be able to hold 20 cubic yards in volume.

How much does a 20 yard dumpster hold

20 Yard Dumpster Weight Limit

The weight limit of a roll off dumpster should be discussed before hiring it, as this will impact how much waste and debris the container can hold.

While a 20 yard roll off dumpster is large enough and strong enough to hold upwards of 10 tonnes of weight, this is never allowed by dumpster rental companies. Weight limits are in place to ensure that the dumpster can safely store and then dispose of any waste, debris, or materials that you have in it.

You should ensure to not go over the weight limit when renting a dumpster, as this can result in overage fees and will slow down the progress of your projects.

There are three main reasons why dumpster rental companies have strict weight limits for their containers:

  1. The lifting and hauling capacity of the pickup truck needs to be able to handle the weight of the dumpster and debris
  2. The hauling weight limits of your location, state, or country which may vary
  3. The cost of landfill per tonne, which is how rental companies are charged. Without customer weight limits, these companies would face much higher costs and charges

With this in mind, a standard 20 yard dumpster rental will have a weight limit of between 2 and 8 tonnes, depending on the rental company’s rules.

You will need to make sure that the haulage company can handle the kind of waste and debris you are getting rid of, as there are also restrictions on the type of materials that can be hauled by certain companies.

For example, some waste is heavy and dense, like roof shingles or concrete. With these kinds of materials in a 20 yard dumpster, the weight can add up very quickly, and you may not be able to get rid of as much as you would expect.

This is why it is important to consider a wide variety of options when looking to rent a 20 yard dumpster, as based on the kind of work you are doing, your needs with differ.

With a large construction project that will have heavy-weight waste, make sure to get a container with the highest weight limit possible.

Overage fees will be charged if you go over the weight limit of the one you rent. These can range from $50 to $100 and are something you should avoid at all costs, which is why you need to consider the weight limit.

What Fits in A 20 Yard Dumpster?

A 20 yard container is medium-sized and can hold 20 cubic yards of volume.

We understand that this is not necessarily something you can picture, so the following are some great projects to use a 20 yard dumpster on:

  • Large basement, garage, or attic clear-out
  • Moving homes and clearing out
  • Complete kitchen or bathroom renovation
  • Whole-home decluttering
  • Whole-home flooring removal and replacement
  • Deck or shed demolition

20 yard containers hold 20 cubic yards in volume. This can be quite difficult to picture, which can make it hard to plan for the right-sized dumpsters for your site.

1 cubic yard takes up 3 x 3 x 3 feet of space. This translates to approximately:

  • A kitchen stove is 1 cubic yard
  • A standard sofa is 3 to 4 cubic yards
  • A refrigerator is 2 cubic yards
  • A small car is 15 cubic yards

One cubic yard translates to an average kitchen stove, so a 20 yard container can hold 20 times this in volume.

These kinds of dumpsters can be used for almost all non-hazardous waste, such as:

  • Construction debris and materials
  • Household junk
  • Furniture
  • Carpeting, wood flooring, and tiles
  • Kitchen cabinets

Any kind of waste or debris that you can imagine coming from a home renovation or clear out is suitable to be held in a 20 yard container.

Are 20 Yard Dumpsters Right For Me?

With this information in mind, you can now work out whether this sized container is the best one for your needs.

If you are looking for the best dumpster prices near you, please call us to discuss your options.

Our customer service team will be able to help you organize waste removal and dumpster rental for your project, as well as answering any questions you may have, to ensure that it all runs smoothly and safely.

How big is a 30 Yard Dumpster?

Finding dumpsters for rent isn’t hard, and you can usually just search “dumpster for rent near me” in your preferred search engine. If you want to get more specific, you can specify a size, such as “30-yard dumpsters to rent near me”. But the inclusion of size means that you are dealing with a very specific shape and scale, and many people overestimate (or underestimate) how much space that gives them.

If you are considering renting a 30-yard dumpster for junk removal and waste disposal, here are some more specific details to help you understand just what kind of size you will be working with.

How much does a 30-yard dumpster hold?

It is easy to say that a 30-yard dumpster rental can hold a 30-yard capacity, but that isn’t always actually true. The exterior dimensions of the dumpster can often vary heavily, especially if the design uses a thicker outer surface or a taller shape. In many cases, dumpsters can end up being shorter but wider or taller but thinner and still have the same capacity, while in other situations, the extra size comes from external pieces that don’t directly alter the container capacity.

What are cubic yards?

First, it is a good idea to understand what ’30 cubic yards’ actually means. A cubic yard is a 3 foot by 3 foot three-dimensional space, meaning that a 30 cubic yard dumpster could hold the equivalent of thirty cubes that were 1 yard long on all edges. However, it is important to understand that this doesn’t equal the dimensions of the dumpster itself. Dumpster sizes are based on the measurements from the outside, but the capacity is based on the inside.

Do I measure dumpsters in cubic yards?

In practical terms, you won’t usually be dealing with debris that can be neatly compacted into 30 yard-sized cubes, so the actual capacity of the container can change depending on the kind of debris and junk being placed in it. A large wardrobe might fill one-third of a dumpster, but it hasn’t filled up 10 cubic yards. These measurements are more of a vague suggestion at the size of the dumpster, and won’t directly come into play unless you are filling it with sand, dirt, or some other material that can easily layer up to fill the entire dumpster.

What does this mean?

Let us say you have one 30-yard roll-off dumpster that measures about 22 feet long, 8 feet wide, and 6 feet high. You might have another 30-yard roll-off dumpster that is 23 feet long, 8.5 feet wide, and 7 feet high, but they still hold the same amount of materials. They are different sizes, but the internal part of the container is still identical when it comes to capacity, so the 30-yard dumpster rental will still hold 30 yards of debris.

How big is a 30 Yard Dumpster

Size Differences

This might not sound that important to many people, but it can make a significant difference. If the average human being is around 5 feet and 9 inches, then a 6-foot-high dumpster is slightly taller than them, but it still becomes easy to throw things in. Add another foot, and suddenly the dumpster might be much harder to use. The same can be said for the other dimensions: a 23-foot-long dumpster won’t fit into a 22.9-foot-wide space.

Why does it matter?

Because of this, your 30-yard roll-off container size can change how they function when you are actually using them, but will still hold the same amount of debris as each other. This should be a good example of how dumpster sizes can be more important than you might think at first.

Identifying Dumpster Sizes

A typical 30-yard dumpster design is somewhere around 22 feet long, with a width of 8 feet and a height of roughly 4 feet, ignoring the added height of certain handles and other elements on top. Of course, as mentioned earlier, this isn’t a baseline size that every dumpster uses: many of them break away from the norm.

Finding Measurements

While you can measure a 30-yard roll-off dumpster yourself, it is easiest to find out from the company that sells them. You can usually ask customer service about rental prices and dumpster dimensions, or check on their website if they have one. If your project requires a 30-yard dumpster rental and you only have so much space on that property, finding out the exact size of that roll-off container can make or break the entire project at the planning stage.

Alternate Measurements

Some companies won’t stick to the typical 30-yard dumpster label, and might instead choose to label their dumpster with the physical size of the interior instead. This can make it much harder to calculate since you can’t always tell the cubic size of a container just from the measurements alone unless you are very good at calculating it. Really, the easiest way is to make sure that you contact the company and ask about the dumpster size yourself: they might have a ‘call us’ option on their site or an email address that is open to the public.

Visual Differences

Generally, you can tell one dumpster apart from another of a different size based on how relatively large they are. Even if they are the same height or length, a 30-yard dumpster rental will look smaller than a 40-yard dumpster rental, since they are each designed as a container with a specific debris capacity. Many have their actual capacity stamped on the side or attached as an adhesive label, but you can’t always assume that this will be the case.

Why does size matter?

A 30-yard dumpster can hold a 30-yard capacity, so you would obviously want to use one for any situation where you expect to get a 30-yard batch of debris and junk. However, size can also alter multiple other points about the project: for example, dumpster rental prices can increase as you choose a larger dumpster size, since a 30-yard dumpster requires more fuel to deliver and more materials to create. A 30-yard dumpster rental might also cost more in overdue fees if you don’t allow it to be picked up in time.

Size and Weight

When choosing a 30-yard roll-off dumpster rental, you might find that the wheels are spaced differently, making it rotate in a different way. A larger container also has more mass, adding to the weight – however, you can expect the rental company to also increase the weight limit of the dumpsters too since they can hold more debris in total. As you might expect, the larger and heavier a dumpster is, the more pressure it puts on the ground underneath itself – a bigger size can easily sink into soft soil.

Size and Projects

Finally, a 30-yard dumpster might just be the size that you need. If dumpsters are too small for your project, you will be left with debris that you can’t get rid of properly. If the container is too large, then you will have room left over for other debris, meaning that you might have over-paid for the dumpster. Matching the container size to your project can be the easiest way to make sure that you are getting the right capacity for the amount of debris you are creating or cleaning up.

What Next?

Once you know the size of the dumpster you want and have managed to track down a company that can offer it, there isn’t much else to do. They will usually let you know if the dumpster has any special requirements in terms of how it should be placed and picked up, and all you have to do is clear a space for it so that it can be handed off to you. Remember to clear more room than you need: you don’t want to squeeze a dumpster into a space that it barely fits into.

Hiring Construction Dumpsters

There are a lot of things that go into a construction project, and one of the most important areas to consider is waste disposal.

While you may be more concerned with getting together tradesmen, organizing the site, and constructing a timeline for your project, waste disposal is not something you can leave to the last minute.

Hiring a construction dumpster is a great way to get rid of debris, waste, and excess materials from the site with ease. However, finding the right kind of dumpster to rent is not so easy.

There are several major options when it comes to dumpster sizes, and each has its own set of regulations and restrictions. This means that some containers will be better suited to your construction project than others.

If you are looking into renting a dumpster for construction projects, this is the ultimate guide to everything you need to know about this process.

About Dumpster Renting

Dumpster rental companies offer both residential and commercial containers, which means they will have several dumpster sizes on offer.

Dumpsters can range from a 10 yard dumpster to 30 yard or 40 yard dumpsters, depending on the rental company you go through.

The dumpster rental company should have a good range of commercial dumpsters that have been specially made for large projects and hauling construction debris. A roll off container is best suited to the removal of construction debris, as these dumpsters are made for larger materials and can handle a lot of weight.

During your rental of dumpsters, it is important to spend time researching which size dumpster will be best for your needs. Smaller roll off dumpsters such as a 20 yard dumpster will not be able to hold large construction debris or materials like a 30 yard dumpster would, which can result in an overflow, causing additional service fees being added to your total bill.

For more information regarding the best size dumpster for your needs in Washington D.C. please call us to discuss your options.

How To Choose The Right Dumpsters For Rental

Dumpster rental in the area of Washington D.C. can be a complicated process, as you have a lot of options available.

Hiring a roll off container will make waste disposal from the demolition site easier to manage and safer to do, as dumpsters can handle a lot of waste at one time. Also, when you go through dumpster rentals, several other kinds of service can be provided, such as the delivery and removal of the dumpster and waste materials from the site.

Waste removal from a site can be an expensive ordeal, which is why we would recommend researching the different yard dumpsters that are available in your area and how they will work with your project first.

Failing to plan can result in hiring the wrong sized dumpster, which will not only make waste removal dangerous as dumpsters are made to handle specific load weights, but it can also be an expensive mistake to make too.

When you rent a dumpster, you need to make sure that you consider the dumpster dimensions and how they will work with all the debris that needs to be removed from the service area of your project.

There are four sizes of roll off container that you can choose from:

  • 10 Yard Dumpster
  • 20 Yard Dumpster
  • 30 Yard Dumpster
  • 40 Yard Dumpster

If you require a smaller dumpster, please call us as we can arrange additional sizes, such as a 15 yard dumpster based on what we have available in your service area of Washington D.C.

When working out which dumpster dimensions are the best fit for your construction project, you will need to consider the volume of debris that will be removed, the kind of materials within it, and the duration of the construction project.

It is possible to hire dumpsters for a short or long term.

Hiring Construction Dumpsters

How Much Is Dumpster Rental For Construction

Dumpster rental can differ greatly in price based on the rental company that you choose. In Washington D.C, there is an average cost of dumpster rentals for each variation of dumpster dimensions.

Dumpster rentals can cost:

  • 10 Yard: Average Cost $300
  • 20 Yard: Average Cost $380
  • 30 Yard: Average Cost $440
  • 40 Yard: Average Cost $480

If you are looking to rent a dumpster, please call us to see what prices our service can offer based on the dumpster dimensions you need, the construction project you are working on, and what kind of rental period you require.

When it comes to considering dumpster rental prices, it is generally more cost-effective to hire the biggest yard dumpster that is available from the rental company.

This will allow for additional waste and debris that can be made during a project, as not everything can be planned for, and will prevent you from having to deal with overage charges should you go over the limits.

How To Estimate What Dumpster You Need

The key to saving money and having a successful dumpster rental experience is planning. This means taking the time to consider and plan for the waste that will need to be removed from the site, as this will inform you of what kind of dumpster you need.

As we have mentioned, planning for the size of dumpster that is required will ensure that waste can be removed safely from the site and will prevent overage fees.

All dumpsters are categorized by the cubic yards they can hold in volume. To estimate what size dumpster you need for your project, you need to be able to work out how many cubic yards of waste will be produced.

This can be a tricky process, which is why we always recommend going for the largest size dumpster available to accommodate for excess waste and debris.

If you do want to estimate what size dumpster you need, then you need to know:

One tonne of demolition debris equals approximately two cubic yards, based on estimates.

For large demolition projects, such as with industrial buildings, hiring the largest roll off dumpster is the best option. Some companies will be able to offer a 50 yard dumpster, but a 40 yard should be just as sufficient if this is not the case.

The size of the dumpster required will also differ greatly depending on the kind of waste that is being produced.

For example, for clean-loading heavy debris like concrete, shingles, or sand, a smaller dumpster will be sufficient. A 20 yard dumpster will be best for this kind of waste, as it is high-density and low volume, which means that it is easier to handle when in a compact container.

This is something that will be recommended to you by the rental company, as most will require the use of their smaller containers for heavy materials as this is the safest way to handle this kind of waste.

Key Considerations To Make For Dumpster Rental

You must plan properly to make the right decisions when it comes to dumpster rental, as this will allow for a safe, smooth workflow.

The cost of waste removal is something that can be prepared for with accurate planning, but there are other benefits too.

Before hiring a dumpster for demolition projects, you should also consider:

1) How it will improve efficiency in workflow

With efficient planning, you can ensure that work will not be interrupted or held back while waiting for dumpsters to either be delivered or to be picked up from the site.

This is why you will need to discuss your schedule with the rental company to ensure that there are no cross-overs to ensure a smooth transaction.

Together, you will be able to plan the best delivery time for the dumpster, the rental period that suits your work, and when it will need to be collected for waste removal. There are plenty of waste removal services in this area, so make sure to choose one that can meet your needs.

2) Safer working environment

Waste disposal can cause a lot of havoc with health and safety, which is why you need to get it right. Being able to dispose of waste, debris, and excess materials immediately with an on-site dumpster is much safer than allowing the waste to pile up.

As a contractor, safety should be your number one priority, which is why not only is hiring a dumpster very important but getting the right size is too.

3) Know what you need

As we have mentioned, the best way to estimate what size dumpster you will need is to consider what waste will be produced.

Understanding the details of the building project you are working on will make it easier for you to hire suitable dumpsters, allow you to determine how long the rental period should be, as well as how many containers will be needed at one time.

All of this pre-planning will ensure a safe working environment on site; encourage smooth sailing on the project, and prevent overage fees.

Guide to Renting a Commercial Dumpster

Commercial dumpster renting can be an excellent way to get a yard dumpster for quickly cleaning up trash. However, renting a dumpster for commercial reasons also means that you have to go through some extra hops and think carefully about what you buy, especially if you are one of many small businesses that might need a consistent dumpster service, such as grocery stores.

Finding Dumpsters for Rent

Commercial dumpster rental always begins with tracking down the dumpsters themselves. You can rent a dumpster from a range of small businesses in your local area, so finding a dumpster to rent with a simple internet search isn’t all that difficult. For example, looking up “commercial dumpsters Washington DC” or “commercial dumpster rental Washington DC” will usually give you what you are looking for.

Next, consider what you need. Dumpster sizes can vary: common commercial dumpster sizes include 40-yard dumpsters, 30-yard dumpsters, and 20-yard dumpsters, although some businesses will also offer a 10-yard dumpster or 12-yard dumpster for small projects. Either way, figuring out the best dumpster dimensions and weight limit for what you are working with can be important, especially since commercial dumpsters.

Once you have chosen a trash dumpster, you need to arrange for the delivery. Remember that rental of dumpsters at a commercial level often means that you will keep getting a new commercial dumpster every time your current trash dumpster is full. If you need one for a one-time project, commercial dumpster rental is still useful, but you should specify that you don’t need a long-term dumpster service.

Choosing a Dumpster

Commercial dumpsters come in all shapes and sizes, each with a different weight limit or exact set of dimensions that can change what they are best at. For example, roll-off dumpster rentals include wheels that can easily move the dumpster around, but not every company will need this. In other cases, larger dumpster sizes such as 40-yard dumpsters are the main thing a business needs to manage their trash and debris.

Dumpster size is a massive part of this decision. A disposal dumpsters in an alleyway behind restaurants might need to be reasonably small since the trash pickup won’t work if the dumpster can’t physically be reached by the pickup trucks. Unlike construction dumpsters, commercial dumpsters are more likely to be placed in condensed or busy areas, so placement options can be limited.

Once you pick a spot for the commercial dumpster delivery, mark it out with something, whether that is cones or paint. After the commercial dumpster has been delivered, you can start using it.

Guide to Renting a Commercial Dumpster

Using the Commercial Dumpster

A commercial dumpster is a business tool first and foremost. The point of a commercial dumpster service is to let a company quickly deal with trash and garbage by offering a large container that gets picked up regularly as part of the waste disposal service. A restaurant in Washington DC, for example, might end up with far more trash than they could manage otherwise. Commercial dumpster rental offers something larger without the need to manage the disposal part of the service separately.

There isn’t any ‘trick’ to using commercial dumpsters well, other than simply using them. You might have to follow certain rules over what can and can not be placed into a dumpster, especially corrosive chemicals or hazardous materials. However, regardless of the dumpster sizes involved, using them is essentially the same routine as any other waste disposal container.

At regular intervals, the dumpster rental company will take your container and go to dispose of the waste for you, then return it so that you can keep using it. This is where the “service” part of the arrangement comes in – you get consistent and regular waste clearing done without having to dedicate any employees or equipment to it.

What to Look For

Whether you are looking for a good budget dumpster, a great option for your up-and-coming business, or something to support employees during booms in the amount of business you get, there are certain things relating to the waste containers that can be worth looking into before you commit to any services. Understanding what is possible comes in useful when you are trying to work out the general sizes, costs, and plans for having a dumpster added to your business premises.

Dumpster Sizes

The size of a dumpster directly affects how much it can hold, but also how large it is. In condensed streets like alleyways near Washington DC, this can be a problem, since you might not have room for a larger choice. In open areas, though, a big dumpster can really shine. Still, you should match it to the amount of waste you produce: a dumpster that is too small becomes a hassle, whereas a dumpster that is too big causes you to over-spend for no extra gain.

Location

The closer you are to a waste disposal service and its headquarters, the faster you can get the new dumpster in place, and the less time it takes for the dumpster to be emptied later on. If you live on the outskirts of Washington DC and the rental company lives on the other side of Washington DC entirely, then it will take them a long time to get to and from their main base of operations. Accessibility is also covered under here: after all, if your office building doesn’t have room for a big dumpster, you will need to drop down to something smaller, or perhaps even get multiple at once.

Price

If a company’s site has anything like a “call us” button or an accessible customer service email address, you might be able to get a dumpster service quote for your property. This can make it far easier to compare the prices you have been given from various companies and might let you see a more accurate summary of how much each dumpster size can cost you. Sometimes, the difference between a 30-yard and 40-yard container can be as high as $100 depending on where you live relative to the business that you are interested in.

 

Guide to Dumpster Sizes

Finding dumpsters for rent isn’t all that difficult, but understanding the way that dumpster size can be calculated might get confusing at first. As disposal containers, they aren’t always measured by their physical size, but by the capacity that they can accommodate safely. How does this work, and how do you decide which one suits you best?

Understanding Dumpster Measurements

There are two types of measurements that you might see when looking at rental dumpster options online. The first is the physical measurements of the dumpster’s body, and the second is the measurement of what it can contain, counted in cubic yards.

Dumpster sizes are generally calculated through the number of cubic yards they can hold. A 20-yard dumpster holds 20 cubic yards of debris, while a 30-yard dumpster obviously holds ten more cubic yards than that. A 40-yard dumpster holds twice as many cubic yards of debris and trash as 20-yard dumpsters, and so on. Two dumpsters that can hold 10 cubic yards will always be able to hold 10 cubic yards, but they might have physically different heights, widths, lengths, and weights.

Why Cubic Yards?

Let us say a dumpster for rent can hold 20 cubic yards of debris. If you managed to give up 10 cubic yards of perfectly soft debris, such as dry dirt, then it would fill half of a 20-yard dumpster. However, when you are putting furniture or another non-soft material into the container, then it won’t perfectly fill that 20-yard dumpster halfway point. So why use it?

The explanation is simple: when you buy a dumpster, the physical shape and scale matters, but the container’s capacity is even more important. If you need a 40-yard dumpster but end up with a 20-yard dumpster instead, you have the wrong dumpster size, so it will fill up and leave you with other debris that doesn’t have anywhere to go. Dumpster rental is based on using the right dumpster for the right dumpster job, especially when it comes to container size.

What about regular measurements?

Normal measurements are instead used for the outer size of the dumpster container. For example, you might need the roll-off dumpster sizes to make sure that the truck loads and unloads it properly, since the roll-off dumpster could end up in an alleyway that it isn’t able to actually fit inside. These measurements are more used for positioning the dumpster and making sure that it gets delivered to a fitting location.

Keep in mind that dumpster sizes aren’t always an indicator of a larger or smaller container size. A dumpster might be a foot wider or taller but still offer the same internal dumpster size, with the extra width or height coming from extra pieces or a larger outer surface.

Guide to Dumpster Sizes

What is a standard dumpster size?

The typical commercial dumpster rental size of each cubic yard size changes based on the kind of dumpster you are getting, but the majority can still be summarised with averages. For example:

  • 10-yard dumpster: 14 feet long, 3.5 feet high, 7.5 feet wide. Often used for small-scale projects.
  • 15-yard dumpster: 16 feet long, 3.5 feet high, 7.5 feet wide. Slightly larger than a 10-yard dumpster, but not by much.
  • 20-yard dumpster: 22 feet long, 4.5 feet high, 7.5 feet wide. Mainly used for standard renovation and removal work, and seen as the ‘baseline option’ in most cases.
  • 30-yard dumpster: 22 feet long, 6 feet high, 7.5 feet wide. Extremely large and mostly meant for bigger construction projects, as well as landscaping.
  • 40-yard dumpster: 22 feet long, 8 feet high, 7.5 feet wide. The largest of the ‘standard’ sizes that most companies offer, and meant for big projects.

Are they always the same?

Of course, these sizes can deviate heavily. You might find a 10-yard dumpster that manages to be taller but slimmer or a 40-yard dumpster that is much flatter and wider than a 30-yard dumpster with a smaller capacity. Roll-off dumpster sizes can be larger, too, since roll-off dumpster designs sometimes need to be raised to accommodate the wheels on the bottom.

Truck Loads

Another common method of judging dumpster sizes is through truck loads. For example, a 10-yard dumpster can hold the same as three standard pickup truck loads, whereas a 15-yard dumpster rental can hold four and a half truck loads. 20 cubic yards is equivalent to about six full trucks of debris, although in practical terms you might not be able to fit that exact amount in.

 

Which do I choose?

Finding dumpsters to rent for a specific purpose means choosing a size, which can be daunting at first. Each size is ideal for a different general-purpose, and choosing the right one is key to getting the best experience possible out of your dumpster rental.

For example, you might choose dumpster sizes like a 30-yard dumpster rental for demolition projects that create a lot of bulky debris, since the container can hold all of it well. On the other hand, if you are just breaking down a single wall between two rooms, a 10-yard dumpster might be able to hold all of it without issue. The sizes of the dumpster you choose, i.e. 10-yard, should reflect the size of the debris you will create or the amount of trash that needs to be disposed of.

Size vs. Price

Usually, going for the smallest size that fills your needs will cut down on having to pay more for the extra capacity that you don’t use. On the other hand, extra capacity can sometimes be useful if you create more debris than you expected. A 15-yard dumpster can end up being more helpful than smaller dumpster sizes while also being less of a waste than large ones, just to name one particular scenario.

Whatever size you pick, remember that price will often scale upwards. Moving one step up the cubic capacity ladder will increase the cost of the dumpster in nearly every case. Because of this, you can save a lot of money by reducing the overall size of the dumpster you choose, although you run the risk of ending up with something too small to properly hold all of the debris you are cleaning up. What you choose to do about this is entirely up to you and depends on the project you are trying to complete.

Other Factors

Size isn’t the only important part of dumpster rental. Sometimes, you will have to follow weight limits or keep the height of the debris below an overall threshold. If you put a wardrobe in the dumpster that peeks over the top, the dumpster rental company might require you to tip it over or break it down before it can be considered ready to pick up. In a similar vein, waste disposal weight limits might stop you from filling a dumpster with solid construction debris if it is too heavy since this can become impossible for them to deal with.

Different companies have their own limitations and restrictions, and it is often better to just accept them than try to work around them. If some cleanup projects are that difficult that they create enough debris for two dumpster rentals, it is better to just take a second dumpster instead of trying to force it all into one. This not only increases the potential fees involved but can actively get in the way of your cleaning up.

Dumpster rental for roofing shingles

If you are looking to replace the shingles on your roof, you will need to know what to do with all of the old shingles that you remove in your roof tear off before installing the new roofing. Roofing material is often heavy and takes up a lot of space, so you can’t just throw it all in your home trash disposal system! To deal with roofing removal properly, no matter how many roofing squares are used on your roof, you are going to need to sort out the appropriate size dumpster rental. After all, nothing is worse than renting dumpsters, only to find that the a’re too small, and you need to organize another round of dumpster rental to get rid of the rest of your roofing shingles.

Below, you will find a guide to yard dumpsters rental for roofing materials. No matter what you are looking to understand, from roof square size, to the perfect dumpster size, to how best to dispose of asphalt shingles, we’ve got the answers for you. So whether you are a seasoned DIY veteran or a complete roofing novice, read on below to find out all you need to know about dumpsters and roofing layers.

How to dispose of roof shingles

Roofing shingles are large and heavy, and take up a great deal of space once you finish your roof tear and remove all of the roofing materials. Even with a relatively small roof of somewhere around 20 square feet, you are going to need to rent a yard dumpster to dispose of your asphalt shingles in safely. You should never dump layers of roofing shingles in public places or in your home trash, but should always use full yard dumpsters for any kind of industrial roofing waste product.

How big is a square of shingles?

Shingles come in squares, often referred to as “roofing squares.” Each of these roofing squares is equal to 100 square feet of coverage. So in order to work out how many shingles you will need for your roof, just divide the total area of your roof by 100. So, for example, a 20,000 square foot roof would come out as 20 square shingle bundles. Once you take those off the roof and put them in a dumpster, they are going to take up a huge amount of space, particularly if your roof is covered with thick asphalt shingles.

How much do shingles weigh?

Shingles may be laid out in flat layers when you put them on your roofing structure, but they come in bundles when you buy them. Each bundle of shingles is a standard size and will cover 100 square feet, but the weight of a bundle will depend on how thick the shingles involved are. In general, three-tab asphalt shingles are the lightest, weighing anywhere between 50 and 80 pounds per bundle. Heavier duty architectural asphalt shingles tend to weigh more, coming in at 65 to 80 pounds per bundle of roofing. Outside of asphalt shingles, things get heavier. If your roofing square is made up of slate shingles, then you are looking at 300 pounds or more per roofing square bundle!

If you are trying to work out the weight of all the shingles on your roofs, then you need to work out the number of bundles used on your roofing structure – that could be a 20 square surface or a 30 square surface, in most cases – and then multiply that number by the weight of each bundle. You might have multiple layers of shingles on the surface, though, so be sure to bear that in mind when you are choosing the dumpster size to rent.

How many bundles of shingles on a roof?

The number of bundles of shingles you will need when roofing your house will depend on the area of your roofing surface. A single roofing square will cover 100 square feet of surface area, so you will need a number of roofing squares equal to the surface area you are trying to cover, multiplied by 100. That will give you the right number of roofing squares for a single layer of shingles. If you are planning on a second layer, though, then you will need to double the number of squares. Remember, each square bundle is a standard size, designed to cover 100 square feet of surface in a single layer!

Dumpster rental for roofing shingles

Where to dump roofing material near me

The best way to find somewhere to dump roofing material in your area is to look for dumpster rental. You can’t just dump the materials wherever you want; you will need to rent an appropriate size dumpster for all of your shingles, and arrange pickup and disposal as well as dumpster rental.

How big a dumpster do you need for a roof tear off?

If your home has a standard 30 squares of roofing on it, then you are going to want a standard 20 yard dumpster. For smaller homes, you might be able to get away with a 10 yard size dumpster, but if you are spending the money for dumpster rental, then it is better to err on the side of caution. Even for smaller homes, it is probably wise to rent a 20 yard dumpster – it is better to have an excessively large dumpster than find out that it is too small too late!

If your home is larger, with 50 or more squares, you are going to need to look for the next dumpster size up when you organize your dumpster rental. A 10 yard dumpster won’t be anywhere near enough, and a 20 yard dumpster probably won’t be either. Instead, you are looking at at least a 30 yard dumpster for larger roofing tear-off projects.

Hiring a dumpster for roof shingles

Dumpster rental is an important part of the roofing tear of processes. First, make sure you know the dumpster size you are looking for, whether that is a 10 yard dumpster, a 20 yard dumpster, or bigger. Once you have found the right size, look for somewhere affordable in your area that will do collection for you, picking up the full dumpsters and disposing of the contents for you!

Conclusion

Hiring a dumpster for your shingles does not need to be a particularly difficult process, but it is important to do the math before you start. Knowing the size of dumpsters, you will need is essential, as is ensuring that you have enough space to keep the dumpster until it is collected!

Dumpster Permit

Getting a dumpster permit is one of the requirements that comes with hiring a roll-off dumpster.

It can be relatively easy to get a dumpster permit, and this will cover you for using and storing a roll-off dumpster on your property for the full rental period.

Renting a dumpster can be a useful thing for both homeowners and business sites, but a dumpster permit is needed to keep it in a public space.

This is a quick guide to dumpster permits, so you can use this information to understand exactly where you stand on this issue, whether you need a dumpster permit for your dumpster rental, and how to obtain one.

Do I Need A Dumpster Permit?

Dumpster permit requirements vary from state to state, so make sure to check with your local authority to see what the regulations are in your location.

Whether you need dumpster permits or not is something that depends on the dumpster placement for the rental period. Regardless of whether you are using a dumpster for residential or commercial use, you will need a permit if the dumpster is being stored in a public works space.

This can include being located on a street, dumpster alley, sidewalk, or other public works right of way area. If this is the case, then you will need to get a public dumpster permit from the city.

A dumpster permit is not something that you will need to obtain if the dumpster is going to be placed on your property, such as on the driveway.

As long as the dumpster is left on your property during the rental period, then you will not need to obtain this document.

For more information when it comes to a dumpster rental permit, speak to your local authorities who can tell you the regulations for your city.

Are All Dumpster Rental Permits The Same?

Obtaining a permit for dumpster rental is something that will differ based on your location. Different cities have unique rules and regulations when it comes to dumpster rentals and who will need a permit for it.

For example, a Philadelphia dumpster that is placed in a right of way space does need a permit. The dumpster permits in this location are annual and can be renewed.

However, in New Orleans, a dumpster rental permit will be needed if the container will be placed in front of a house in public view.

While there is no one rule for obtaining a dumpster rental permit, most cities will require a permit if the dumpster is going to be left in a public right of way space such as on sidewalks.

Dumpster Permit

How Much Does A Dumpster Permit Cost?

Renting a dumpster can be quite an expensive process, as there are several kinds of charges included in the rental agreement.

If you need a dumpster permit, this will result in additional costs.

While the costs of a permit can vary from city to city, the average cost is between $10 and $25 per week. You will need to have a permit throughout the entire rental period, which can be several weeks based on the size of your clear out or renovation project.

Make sure to check with your local authorities about their prices for dumpster permits, as they can vary from state to state. It is also possible to get monthly or annual dumpster permits, which may be useful for construction sites or commercial businesses.

It is also possible to get daily permits if this is all you need.

You should choose a fee structure that best suits your dumpster rental period to prevent fines.

If you do not have a permit for the dumpster on your site, you can be subject to fines of $200 or more per day.

How To Get A Dumpster Permit

Even if you do not need this document in your city, it is a good idea to speak to the dumpster rental company about any kind of documentation you may need during your rental period.

Dumpster rental companies are a good source of information for things like this, and speaking to them can prevent you from having to face fines.

1) Speak to the dumpster rental company about whether you need a permit for your container. If the dumpster is going to be in a public right of way area, then a permit is necessary.

2) Contact your local building department or city hall so ask for a permit. They will put you through to the permitting department, who will ask you to fill out an application for a dumpster permit.

This can typically be done online, as many cities have application forms available on their website.

The permit approval process can take upwards of three days, so be patient and make sure to plan ahead.

All rights reserved, 2020.

Decluttering your Home

Every room in your home will have some kind of clutter or mess in it. That is just a fact of how people live and the way that we use our homes, especially when we live with other people who are just as likely to create a mess as we are. Every day, you will end up creating at least one piece of clutter, even if it is something as simple as a chair that you have moved or a piece of scrunched-up paper that didn’t quite reach your trash can. Eventually, though, you will start feeling like you need to clean it up.

When you are ready to start decluttering your home and freeing up more space, there are a lot of methods that you can rely on, but not all of them will work for every person. Here are some decluttering tips to help you get rid of every single item you don’t need without putting too much stress on yourself.

How to Approach Decluttering

The first thing to do when it is time to declutter your home is to get into the right mindset. There are plenty of professional organizer books and videos out there designed to go into the mentality of decluttering and how it is supposed to work, since being in the right headspace is one of the most important parts of cleaning up at all. Even though you can see clutter in your home and know that you are supposed to clean it up, many people just won’t, either because they do not have the right mental focus or because there are other things to distract them.

One of the biggest distractions you can find is entertainment, especially after a long workday. Video games, television shows, or books can easily tear you away from your decluttering projects, and even the best time management skills won’t save you from the draw of your entertainment center. To remove clutter, you need to be focused on the clutter itself.

It is also important to remember that clutter can affect your motivation. A messy room is likely to stay messy because you can’t build up the motivation to clean it, leading to a spiral of irritation over how dirty it looks. Once again, this can be solved with the right sort of mentality to keep you on the right track.

Small Decluttering Methods

Maybe your desk is full of clutter, or you have got a lot of items in your bedroom that you don’t need anymore. If you are the kind of person to hoard interesting things, letting go can seem difficult at first, but you don’t necessarily have to get rid of them permanently. Here are some ways to make use of your storage space and clean up a smaller area.

Simply Tidying

The first place to start, with a small, cluttered area is simple: put things away. The best way to make a room feel clutter-free is to put away all of the clutter, and doing this can be surprisingly effective as long as you don’t own far too many things to properly keep. Emptying your recycling bin trash bags and putting your home office items back in the corect containers can be the easiest way to make a space feel less frustrating and messy.

If that is not working, getting a few more storage solutions can help. A simple storage unit, such as a drawer cabinet or a shoe organizer, can sometimes the first step you need to make more space in your home.

Routines

Another topic used by many people, including professional organizer Marie Kondo, is to follow certain routines to the letter. For example, if you make sure that everything in a room has its proper place, you are much more likely to put things back, in the same way, every time. This could also be a routine like “give one thing away every day until your room feels clean” or “label each drawer with a purpose and only fill it with relevant items.”

Following a structure can be one of the things that many people find surprisingly effective, especially if it helps you let go of your natural tendency to keep everything you buy. Routines are good for decluttering your mind, but they can also do the same to your home. Within six months, you will usually find that the structure becomes second nature to you, and you will naturally want to keep things clean even without the routine in place anymore.

Having a set filing system for office space or closet space can also be a good option, especially when you are trying to counter clutter with the organization. This means getting rid of your junk drawer and using organizers to structure everything properly. Ideally, you want to know where all of your important possessions are at all times, especially if they might be needed for emergencies.

Get a Third Party

Another good way to declutter your home is to get the opinion of a friend or family member who doesn’t live there. They might be able to point out areas that could be decluttered which you missed – this can happen quite often in your own home, since you are around the mess all the time and might not see it as a mess anymore.

Having another person’s perspective of a space can also build the momentum you need to clean up an entire living room when you only started with a small table. When you declutter one item or area, you open yourself up to more ideas, and it can quickly spiral into a much bigger project that leaves your home looking neater and tidier than ever before.

Medium Decluttering

When things can’t be solved by merely putting items back on a shelf, it can get much more serious. Usual decluttering tips like trying to follow a routine might not work if you are wanting to get rid of large pieces of furniture, since you have to actually arrange for the disposal to be possible, and it can often take an hour or two to properly get a larger piece of furniture out of your home.

Disassembling

Furniture is one of the biggest offenders when it comes to decluttering since there isn’t a simple way to just move it somewhere else. It can be a hassle to move even the most basic storage units in many homes since they are often full of items and generally heavy even when they are empty. Getting a large wardrobe or shelf unit down some stairs can be incredibly dangerous, too, and there is no guarantee that it will fit around every corner or doorway.

To fix this problem, you can always try taking the furniture apart. This is an excellent option for almost any large items, as well as some small ones like a medicine cabinet. Larger items like beds are even designed to make this easier since you are supposed to take the bed apart when moving it in or out of a home.

When trying to take something apart, see if you have the original instructions anywhere. This can make it much easier to be sure that you are doing it properly, but you don’t always need them, especially with simpler designs that don’t need much effort to take apart. Once a piece of furniture is in pieces, you can move it from place to place or choose to store it somewhere, meaning that you can get it out of that room reasonably easily.

However, on its own, this isn’t decluttering. You still own the item, and taking down storage units might even leave you with more mess since you don’t have as many shelves to use for holding smaller possessions. Because of this, you should always treat it as a first step, but not a solution to the problem.

Selling Items

Larger messes often include items that you are only keeping because of their value, whether it is an old toy or a fancy statue that you can’t let go of. However, getting rid of items like this can also make a massive difference to your decluttering efforts, especially if they are old gifts that you have been too timid or concerned to give away. Rather than just putting shiny things in a drawer for later, you can try to sell them – even if you don’t need the money, it gets rid of the item and makes sure that it is going to somebody else rather than being dumped in a landfill site somewhere.

There are plenty of ways to sell your old possessions. While the easiest would be offering them to friends and family members, it isn’t hard to set up an account on an online marketplace or go to local markets and try to sell items that way, especially if the items are old and worth a lot to certain collectors. This can be true of almost anything, from ornamental decorations to toys: somebody will pay you eventually.

The same principles for selling pre-owned items apply to this situation. For example, collector’s items that haven’t been used or opened will be worth a lot, and including unique charging cables or accessories with old electrical devices will increase the amount of money you can get for them. If you are lucky, you might not even need to stress about delivering them, and you don’t always have to meet up in person to make the transaction.

If you are not getting any offers or you are desperate to clean a room, then giving away household items is also a possibility. While it won’t earn you any hard cash, it is often the first choice of people who want to remove clutter without contributing to landfills or filling up a cupboard in their home. Many of the things you own can be valuable to the right person, even if they are useless to you, so passing them along to people who will actually use them can be an excellent way to solve two problems at once.

Disposal

Some declutterers just want their clutter gone and gone fast. This often leads to them disposing of the items quickly and efficiently, usually by taking them to a recycling center, scrapyard, or trash dumping site to get rid of them for good. This is great for people who have no problem with letting go of their old possessions, and can be one of the more permanent methods of clearing space and removing clutter: while it can be seen as wasteful, it also ensures that you get rid of the items permanently.

In most cases, disposal can be treated like any other household chore, although you will often have to use a car or truck to transport the unwanted items. Gathering them up isn’t hard, since you can simply walk through your home and pick up everything that you don’t need, then throw it into your vehicle and go to throw it away.

Make sure you check the clutter you have gathered for items that you have mistakenly added to the pile since there isn’t usually a way to get them back once they are dumped (with a scrapyard being an exception most of the time). This is a very permanent type of declutter method, and you aren’t getting the things you dispose of back in one piece.

Remember that recycling and normal disposal aren’t the same and that not all items taken in one can be used in the other. Recycling centers have very strict rules on what can and can’t be recycled, so you might have to take certain items apart to get rid of non-recyclable materials before you can properly dispose of them.

Large-Scale Decluttering

Sometimes using your own vehicle isn’t enough. There are many cases where people need to dispose of a large number of their possessions, either because they are moving house or because they finally have enough money to replace all of them at once. It could also be because an entire room was damaged, such as a kitchen that caught fire or a front room that flooded. Either way, decluttering at this scale requires more than just some plastic bags.

Disposal Companies

One of the easiest ways to clear out any space, from a small laundry room to an entire floor of your house, is through disposal companies. These are freelance or contract groups that act as a declutterer for your home, helping you get rid of items in large amounts rather than leaving you to do it all yourself. This can be important for people with barely any technical skills (when appliances need to be removed) or not enough physical strength to move the items on their own.

Since these companies are contractors, they treat each home differently based on your needs. The last home might have needed them to simply carry items out to a dumpster, while your home might need them to take the items and dispose of them directly. Each company will have its own rules on what they can and can’t do while they declutter, so it is a good idea to ask each company what they offer before deciding to use one.

In general, a disposal company (or waste collection company) serves two purposes. The first is to declutter your property by removing any things you have said need to be removed, and the second is to aid in the disposal of those things. Even in a basic situation, a declutter company can rapidly clear space in your home, especially if they send multiple people to deal with clearing out an entire house.

If you want to make the job even faster, you can take apart any large things that can’t be pushed through your home doorways and hallways properly, such as beds. This allows them to easily take the individual parts outside without risking damage to your walls or other items in your home. The whole process works best when you treat it as a ‘reverse delivery,’ with all of the same tips still relevant in some way.

Dumpster Rental

Another great way of decluttering a home is renting a dumpster or trash container. One of the best decluttering tips that you can follow is the idea of taking everything a step at a time, but renting dumpsters removes the need for you to focus on disposing of the items at all. When you rent a dumpster, you are generally given a set time and date for it to be picked up – this is the time that the company will arrive to dispose of everything inside it.

Because of this, you have a set amount of time to move all of your clutter into the dumpster. This may seem stressful, but it can often be a week or more before the pick-up date, so you can take your time with the process. For example, you might start with a laundry room on the first day, but leave the next room for the following day, then another room the day after that.

Dumpsters are an extremely efficient tool for declutter projects, as they don’t force you to take up space in your home or your vehicle. Instead, you can throw the unwanted items and scrap materials straight into the dumpster, then leave it for the company to deal with. This takes off a lot of the pressure while also opening up more space in your home, making the junk removal much easier overall.

You can ask about the specifics of each company’s dumpster renting process and rules by finding their email address and dropping a few questions in their inbox. If you can’t find their email address, then phone conversations or in-person meetings are also possible – the more you know about their limits (such as load size and restricted materials), the easier it becomes to work with them properly.

Other Decluttering Tips

While there are plenty of ways to declutter, sometimes by hand and sometimes by calling upon companies that have all rights reserved on a specific technique or piece of equipment, smaller tips can also be useful. Clutter comes in all shapes and sizes, so there isn’t a single way to solve everything, but little differences can easily build up to larger changes over time.

  • Donate clothes that you don’t wear. This can clear up your wardrobe, making it look far less cluttered when you open it to take something out. Donated clothes often also go to people who really need them, whether they are given directly to friends or passed along to a charity.
  • Throw away any expired products you happen to own. Many people will do this with food and drink, but rarely with medicine or moisturizers. Getting rid of outdated ones, especially ones that you have never had a reason to open or use, can clear up shelves and medicine cabinets without feeling like you are throwing away perfectly usable items.
  • Sometimes, making more mess intentionally can motivate you to start cleaning it up. For example, if you start leaving clothes on your bed or chair rather than putting them in their normal places, you will eventually find it such a hassle that you will be obligated to put them away.
  • Don’t be afraid to make a mess during your cleaning. If you want to tidy a shelf, take everything off it and place it on your bed or the floor, then sort through everything as you put it back. This makes it much harder to forget items or ignore things that are sitting at the back of the shelf, and also means that you will have to actively think about each and every item that you are picking back up.
  • Leave empty space. While it can seem odd to leave a bookshelf unfilled or a wardrobe looking sparse, this actually makes them seem less cluttered. If you fill them to the brim, it can look like a lot more, even if the amount of items on display is still the same.
  • Focus on visuals first and foremost. Clutter is mostly a visual element of a room, so you don’t need to throw everything away – sometimes, you just need to move your electronics, gadgets, spices, pens, collectibles, glass displays, and flowers to a different place to make more, look like less. Curtains or closed drawers have the advantage here since they can make items visually ‘disappear’ without taking them out of the room.

Best ways to dispose of electronics

Electronics disposal is a tricky topic to cover, as based on your location and the kind of waste you are trying to get rid of, the rules may be different.

It is important that before attempting to dispose of electronics or searching for electronic recyclers near me, you understand what is allowed by your local authority. The last thing you want to deal with when trying to clear out your home is fees from the local council because you have violated their rules regarding waste.

The disposal of electronics is something that every household will have to deal with at some point, as new technology is constantly being made. With each new update of smartphones, computer accessories, and devices like DVD players, you will want to get rid of the old model.

Is Electronic Waste Dangerous?

The main reason why the disposal of electric waste is such a difficult topic is the fact that all devices are made up of toxic materials.

E waste, which is the term given to old appliances and devices that are ready to be thrown away, contain toxic materials such as lead, mercury, cadmium, and brominated flame retardants.

This is why electronic waste cannot simply be thrown in the trash with the rest of the debris from your home, as it is highly dangerous.

Not only could it be dangerous for your neighbors and the trash workers who have to dispose of e waste, but it also comes with a lot of damage to the environment too. Not disposing of or recycling e waste correctly runs the danger of contaminating the soil, polluting the air, and eventually running into water bodies.

This is dangerous for wildlife and human health alike and will have long-lasting effects on the environment.

Are We Recycling Electronics?

One of the best ways to dispose of electronics is by recycling it. You must go through a verified electronics recycle company in Washington D.C. to ensure that your e waste is being handled and recycled responsibly.

Due to the toxic materials and dangers to human health that electronic equipment can cause, you must go through a responsible electronics recycling company when disposing of these items. This will prevent your old appliances from polluting another nation or causing dangers elsewhere.

When searching for local companies that offer responsible electronic recycling, make sure these companies are verified by the Basel Action Network (BAN). Several major recycling companies in Washington DC are verified this way and offer responsible electronic recycling.

Going through these companies is a great way to ensure that your old equipment, computers, game consoles, or other technology will not be negatively impacting the environment or other people.

 

Do You Need To Throw It Away?

E waste can have a lot of negative impacts on the environment, which is why you are urged to consider whether your old equipment really needs to be thrown away at all.

Once you have updated your computers or smartphones, can you not think of a better home for the old equipment you now have lying around?

Instead of adding more e waste to the landfill, could you not instead make some money from your old devices or pass them on to a friend who can make use out of it?

This is only an option for technical equipment that is still in good working order and is not a danger to use, which means that computers need to have all of their parts and game consoles need to still be wired correctly to prevent damage.

There are a lot of options available for those who want to sell on their old equipment such as computers, DVD players, smartphones, and consoles.

You can go online to sites like eBay, Craigslist, and Facebook Marketplace to sell your old technology.

Buying second-hand technology is a great thing to do for the environment, as it prevents more toxic waste from being added to landfills and causing pollution, but it can also help you save money too.

If you are looking to get rid of old computers or other technology, selling it on for a reduced rate can be a brilliant option.

This is an effective form of electronics recycling, and it also has a great bonus for you by helping you make some money!

How To Sell Old Electronics

There are a lot of options nowadays when it comes to selling used items, thanks to the internet.

Websites like eBay and Craigslist are a great way to sell on old technology to people from across the nation. Facebook Marketplace or simply advertising on social media can get you in contact with local people who want to take your old electronics from you and will offer money for it too.

As well as selling technology online, you could have an old-fashioned garage sale to help out your local community.

Some technology or gaming shops may also take old electronics off your hands and offer cash for them. Items that are commonly in high demand for these stores include computers with a working hard drive, smartphones, and TVs with working satellite receivers.

The better quality the devices are, the higher price you can get for them.

Collection Events in Washington DC

If you are based in Washington DC and want to get rid of some old electronics, then keep your eyes out for future collection events that are taking place.

Collection events take place in public libraries such as the Dorothy I Height Library and the Chevy Chase Library and are open to both the public and local businesses. This is part of the larger ‘ECycle DC’ (all rights reserved) movement that is taking place, which means that other locations and libraries in this area may also be hosting similar events.

ECycle DC is a program that was begun by the DC Department of Energy and Environment in partnerships with DC Public Library to increase access to correct recycling of electronic devices in and around Washington.

If you take any old equipment, such as computer monitors, cell phones, laptops, and even VCRs to either the Dorothy I Height Library or the Chevy Chase Library in DC, you will be participating in responsible e waste disposal.

Once these items have been collected at the libraries, Samsung Electronics America and Wisetek, which is an electronics removal company, will recycle them responsibly.

For more information on these collection events and similar e waste procedures near you, please contact us.

What To Do Before E Waste Recycling

Our electronic products can hold a lot of information, and some of this material is likely going to be sensitive.

To keep yourself secure and protected while also getting rid of old technology that you no longer need, there are some things you should do before going to the collection center:

  • Back up all information from old computers, cell phones, and other devices on a hard drive to organize later
  • Delete all files from the device
  • Ensure that the device has been restored to factory settings with no documents left intact
  • Remove batteries from any devices before disposing
  • If you choose to sell on your devices, update the software first

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Municipal Solid Waste

The term “municipal solid waste” may not be familiar to you, however what it is most certainly will be. MSW is simply the term used to describe trash/garbage/junk – the stuff you throw away in the kitchen, in your bathroom, in the garage, etc. MSW encompasses product packaging, consumable goods (egg cartons, juice containers, grass clippings, old furniture, ruined clothes, bottles, moldy food and so on) as well as things like old batteries, kitchen appliances, paint cans and more. On average, the United States of America produces around 250,000,000 tons, or 502,000,000,000 pounds, of garbage every year. Of this massive amount of garbage, roughly 90 million tons are composted (when it comes to organic materials like old fruit and grass) or recycled (plastics, rubbers, metals etc) – or about 35% of our waste is used for something other than going straight to landfill.

The EPA website on Non-Hazardous Waste suggests a number of household practices that reduces the amount of waste your household generates, whether that’s through waste prevention, your own composting, or standard recycling (toss your bottles in the recycle instead of garbage!). The primary waste reduction methods are broken into three main categories:

  • Source Reduction: create less waste in the first place. Buy used items such as clothing, furniture and electronics. This saves money and reduces the amount of materials required to produce new things. Buy products that minimize their packaging. Buy reusable items vs. disposable (batteries, tupperware vs sandwich bags, silverware vs plastic utensils, etc). Maintain your belongings – fixing a leaky tire vs replacing it reduces the amount of rubber in our recycling plants. Borrow items that you won’t need constantly such as birthday decorations or automotive tools.
  • Recycle: very simple and extremely effective. Simply sort your trash while you’re throwing it away. Get a separate container for waste vs recyclables like plastic or glass bottles. Recycle everything you possible can such as old egg cartons, milk crates, juice bottles, almost all plastic packaging, paper and plastic grocery bags, etc. Recyclable items are sent to special facilities where a large portion of the materials used in the production are able to be re-used for future uses. Recycling alone is one of the biggest ways to help reduce the amount of garbage you alone generate. If everyone on Earth took the effort to recycle instead of throw away, we would see a massive boost in renewable resources.
  • Composting: Organic waste like yard trimmings, fruit peels and rinds take up a large volume of waste that gets sent to landfill. By starting up your own home compost pile you’re reducing the amount of junk you’re hauling off to the landfill as well as creating your own natural fertilizer which is great for your yard. You’ll save money on fertilizer, help your plants grow, and reduce the amount of compost friendly garbage our waste management facilities have to deal with.

For more news and information regarding waste management and the environmental impacts of proper garbage disposal, visit EagleDumpsterRental.com.

What You Need to Know About Pennsylvania’s Covered Device Recycling Act

In 2010, the state of Pennsylvania passed a law requiring certain electronics manufacturers to finance a collection and recycling system. That law is called the Covered Device Recycling Act, and it affects all of us.

Today, we’re explaining the most relevant parts of PA’s Covered Device Recycling Act and how it affects you.

You Can No Longer Throw “Covered Electronics” in the Landfill

Prior to the Covered Device Recycling Act, TVs and similar devices could be brought to the landfill. Now, you can’t do that. The law makes it illegal to throw certain “covered electronics” into landfills.

Covered electronics include:

Covered Computer Devices: Desktops, laptops, computer monitors, peripherals, and other items “marketed and intended for use by a consumer”

Covered Television Device: The vast majority of TVs are covered under this law.

Peripheral: Keyboards, printers, and other devices sold exclusively for external use with a computer “that provides input into or output from the computer”

Failure to abide by this law can lead to a fine.

Electronics Recycling Facilities Are Available Across the State

If you can’t throw your covered electronics into landfills, then where can you throw them? Well, since the Covered Device Recycling Act was established, a wide variety of recycling centers have been setup across the state.

Typically, you can find these facilities at a local Best Buy, Staples, or secondhand store (like a Salvation Army). If you live near a Best Buy or other electronics retailer, then that is likely your best option.

Some municipalities even have a home pickup option. You call your local township recycling organization, and they will pick up the unwanted electronics from your home. You can even leave the electronics at your door for easy disposal. Someone will come by to pick it up.

The Government of Pennsylvania maintains a list of electronics drop-off centers across the state. You can view that list here. Overall, there are hundreds of drop-off locations and options across the state.

Alternatively, you can view more information about Best Buy’s electronics recycling program here. Best Buy is the nation’s largest retail recycler of used electronics and appliances. Visit their recycling page to see what types of things you can recycle.

Recycling

Best Buy also have a trade-in program: you might go to recycle something, only to find it has some trade-in value.

The Pennsylvania Resources Council Hosts “Hard to Recycle Collection Events” Across the State Where You Can Recycle Electronics

If you don’t have an electronics drop-off center near you, then you have another way to safely dispose of your unwanted electronics: the Pennsylvania Resource Council (PRC), a private environmental organization, hosts regular “Hard to Recycle Collection Events” throughout the year.

During these events, the PRC will collect things that are, understandably, “hard to recycle”. You will have to pay a fee of $1 per each pound of material. However, this can be the easiest and safest way to recycle certain items. Popular items at PRC events include:

  • CDs
  • DVDs
  • VHS tapes
  • Floppy disks
  • Cassette tapes
  • Media cases

Call Eagle Dumpster Rental for Complete Waste Management Solutions

If you’re struggling to effectively remove waste around your home or business, then call Eagle Dumpster Rental. We’re available throughout Philadelphia and southeastern Pennsylvania.

Our experienced teams can safely and responsibly dispose of your unwanted waste. Whether you’re dealing with electronic waste, organic waste, old appliances, or any other hard-to-remove materials, Eagle Dumpster Rental can solve your waste problem at a competitive price.

As the World Drowns in Plastic Trash, One Woman Wants to Save Us

The world’s plastic trash problem continues to get worse. Fortunately, people worldwide are beginning to recognize the problem and attempt to solve it. One of those people is waste engineer Jemma Jambeck of the University of Georgia, who was recently profiled by NPR.

Plastic waste has been in the news throughout the year. With municipalities around the world banning plastic straws, a growing number of people are becoming aware of the severity of the issue.

You’ve probably heard about the huge floating gyre of plastic waste in the Pacific Ocean. That gyre, understandably, has only become worse over the years. As NPR explains:

“When a huge floating gyre of plastic waste was discovered in the Pacific in the late 1980s, people were shocked. When whales died and washed ashore with stomachs full of plastic, people were horrified. When photographs of beaches under knee-deep carpets of plastic trash were published, people were disgusted.”

One of the craziest things about the plastic trash gyre in the Pacific is that for a long time, nobody really knew where it was coming from.

Many assumed some of the trash had come from ships crossing the Pacific. Others assumed at least some of the trash had drifted over from the land.

It wasn’t until 2015, however, when one environmental engineer started doing the math. In 2015, University of Georgia environmental engineer Jenna Jambeck completed a groundbreaking study suggesting there were hundreds – even thousands – of times as much plastic washing into the sea compared to what we saw in the ocean gyres.

In other words, the ocean gyres were just the tip of the iceberg. The gyres were the most visible sign that plastic waste was becoming a serious problem for the world’s oceans. It wasn’t until recently that we discovered the true extent of that problem.

In her NPR interview, Jambeck recommended listeners go through a unique challenge:

“So what we’re going to do fort he next 24 hours is to record everything that you touch that is plastic,” said Jambeck in the interview.

Plastic Trash

A surprising number of things we interact with on a daily basis are made of plastic – from the plastic grip on a microphone to the plastic ID card around your neck. From plastic keyboards to plastic coffee makers to plastic water bottles, it doesn’t take long to realize that much of your world revolves around plastic.

Jambeck Began Her Career as a Solid Waste Management Engineer

To tackle the plastic waste problem, Jambeck is using her experience as a solid waste management engineer. Described as “a connoisseur of trash” in the NPR writeup, Jambeck has always had a passion for studying waste and watste management solutions:

“Her interest in trash started when she was growing up in rural Minnesota, Jambeck says. There was no garbage collection in her area, so she’d borrow a truck to take her family’s trash to the dump every week. ‘I was always pretty fascinated by going there and just seeing what I would see,” she remembers. “I fell in love with studying waste.’” Trash Removal

Plastic Doesn’t Break Down

Landfills are powered by more science than many people realize. A landfill is like a living, breathing thing.

The landfill is an ecosystem where microbes break down organic garbage into its constituent chemicals. Metal corrodes and dissolves. The materials we use everyday eventually return to the earth.

Plastic, unfortunately, is the one exception. As we’ve realized, that’s quickly becoming a huge problem.

Over time, plastic will break down into smaller pieces. Those smaller pieces, however, will survive in the environment for an indeterminate length of time.

How Do We Solve the Plastic Problem in the World’s Oceans?

When the plastic gyres in the Pacific Ocean were first discovered, most people had a natural response to it: they wanted to clean it up as quickly as possible.

Lambeck, however, realized the gyres were a symptom of a bigger problem. She realized that we needed to find out where the plastic was coming from, then take steps to stop that plastic at its source.

In a paper published in Science in 2015, Lambeck revealed crucial findings about plastic management. The study showed that China, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam are the leading sources of plastic waste in oceans (based on waste management by coastal populations). China accounts for 27.7% of global mismanaged plastic waste, for example, while the Philippines accounts for 5.95% of mismanaged plastic waste.

The United States, meanwhile, produces much more plastic waste per person than these other countries, but a comparatively small amount is mismanaged. Coastal populations in the United States – a population totaling 112.9 million – generated just 0.9% of global mismanaged plastic waste.

The next step, of course, is to emphasize better plastic waste management among coastal populations worldwide – particularly in China, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Indonesia.

For effective waste management in southeastern Pennsylvania, order a roll-away dumpster from Eagle Dumpster Rental today. Our environmentally-responsible waste management teams ensure your waste is responsibly disposed of. Dumpster Rental Northampton County