Even after small renovation work, it can be surprising how much waste is generated, and for larger tasks the issue becomes magnified. There can be a mixture of wood and glass, metal and wiring. There may be heavy stuff too, such as bricks and concrete, stone and gravel. Needless to say, a person’s car will never be sufficient to address the issue. The Environmental Protection Agency says that people who illegally dump their waste risk fines or even imprisonment.
You may be about to commence a new project, be it large or small. If you want to know how to responsibly deal with your construction waste, this article will serve as a handy guide to point you in the right direction.
Consider Using Dumpsters
We’ll discuss the importance of sorting your waste into reusable and unusable categories shortly. Once you have identified the things to discard, a dumpster could save you time and effort. Jacksonville is the largest city in Florida, with a population of over 929,000 people. When it comes to Jacksonville trash removal, it’s possible to rent a dumpster from a local business. If you secure a compact truck, it would be better at dealing with narrow roads and driveways.
You may be able to get a dumpster within 24 hours, and if it has walk-in double doors, it’ll be easier to load. Whether you’re extending your house or simply emptying your garage, you can order a dumpster in a size that most suits your needs. You could choose from 6,10,15 or 20-yard versions.
Think About The Waste Before You Start
This will help keep the costs of your project down. Be sure to measure things as accurately as you can, and don’t order more things than you need. List the items that can be reused or recycled, and sort them accordingly as they accumulate. You may wish to install recycle bins for this purpose.
If you are employing contractors, they need to be aware of your waste management policy, so they can sort things as they go. The less mess you have lying around the construction area, the less chance there will be for such accidents as slips and falls to occur.
Deconstruct, Don’t Demolish
It may be tempting to simply rip things out in order to save time. If you do that, however, there will be toxic dust generated, and you’d end up with unsorted piles of materials and hardcore. It’s better for the environment if you deconstruct the area piece by piece, as a ‘soft’ tear down.
Anything that can be reused could save money (e.g. by being resold) and reduce the burden on landfill sites.
Know The Good From The Bad
It may be possible for you to send the following to recycling (or to reuse):
- Roofing
- Windows
- Masonry
- Doors
- Plastic
- Paper
- Cardboard
- Metal
- Brick
- Asphalt
- Drywall
In contrast, things like batteries or asbestos-related materials must be disposed of safely. They can be harmful to both people and the environment. There are other such items you should research, including those that contain lead or mercury.
Consider What You Can Donate
It’s true that construction waste may seem less appealing than discarded household items. Having said that, it’s heartbreaking to see working items thrown unnecessarily into landfill sites.
If you are having something replaced as an upgrade, why not give the old item away if it’s’ in good condition? Some items could make money for charity shops, and they may even be happy to collect them from you.
Research The Waste Disposal Companies
It’s good to think of health and the environment before deciding how to dispose of your waste. A man with a van may have a less clear policy concerning your waste disposal. If you use an environmentally responsible business, they may be aiming for zero waste. Once they have removed your materials, they may use machines to wash and sort them into different categories. They may then be able to create construction equipment, sheets for scaffolding, or cement molds with your unwanted items.
If you tackle this issue correctly from the start, you could save money as well as benefiting others and the environment. Then you will be able to focus on your construction work with a clear conscience. The mess will be minimized during the process and afterward, the site area will be restored or even better than before. You may have added value to your property and be able to enjoy the fruits of your labor for many years to come.