3 Ways To Get Rid Of Your Construction Trash
Posted on: 12 January 2017
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Are you getting ready to start a major home renovation or brand new construction? If so, you'll need a waste removal plan. There are a couple of real simple solutions, so this isn't something that should cause you any stress. You just need to plan ahead. Here are the three best ways of getting rid of your construction trash.
Donate It
Your trash could very well be someone else's treasure. The long mirror hanging in the hallway—the one you got on sale that just doesn't seem to go with the new décor—may be perfect for someone else. That stackable washing machine that was perfectly ideal when you were single could be snatched up in a second by someone in need.
If you have items like this—furniture, appliances, and even small reusable items like baskets and other trinkets that are suddenly out of place—consider donating them to charity. There are a number of organizations that are happy to take gently used items. The Habitat for Humanity Restore is one such place, and they are a perfect choice as they tend to focus on selling household materials. A lot of homeowners and business owners specifically seek out these stores because they know there's a good chance they'll find what they need.
Examples of items they take include doors, cabinets, carpets, counter tops, tile, windows, storm doors, light fixtures, lamps, ceiling fans, lumber, furniture, flooring, toilets, wallpaper, vanities, and appliances that work. Some locations will also accept medical equipment like hospital beds, bath benches, and that sort of thing. It's a good idea to call ahead and confirm what they take as every store is different. For instance, some stores only take appliances that are less than 7 years old. Basically, if it can be used by someone else in their home renovation, they will probably take it.
If you just have some old carpet to get rid of, and it's not in good enough shape to donate, you may want to look into Carpet America Recovery Effort (CARE). They have multiple locations across the country, and their mission is to avoid landfills. They can take your carpets and recycle them, and while there may be a fee, you can use it as a tax deduction if you itemize.
As you're working on your renovation project and removing old flooring, cabinets, and other "donatables," be sure to take them apart with care so that donation centers will accept them. Otherwise, you'll have to throw them out or find a way to recycle them.
Landfill It
Unfortunately, there will be some items that simply can't be reused and will need to be taken to a dump or landfill. Before loading your items on the truck, be sure to check the rules of what's accepted and what isn't. It's also a good idea to prepare by sorting your trash. For example, if you have large appliances like oven ranges or dishwashers, scrap pieces of metal, and cabinetry, they may have to be placed in separate areas at the dump.
Rent a Dumpster
If you want the maximum in convenience, renting a dumpster can save you the time and trouble of transporting the trash to a dump yourself. Most places have different dumpsters for different types of trash, and they come in various sizes to suit your needs. You can also rent them for extended lengths of time if needed.
Examples of the kinds of trash that can go in most rented dumpsters include scrap metal, drywall, broken or rotted lumber, torn flooring and damaged cabinets, siding, appliances that don't work like stoves, dishwasher and microwaves (but not refrigerators), empty aerosol cans, bricks, concrete, and chunks of asphalt. In some cities, you can throw away certain electronics like televisions, computers, and printers, but be sure to check with your city first. The company that you choose to rent from will be able to supply you with a list of what's accepted and what's not.
For more information and options, talk with different dumpster rental services, like Parks & Sons of Sun City, Inc..