Whether you’re doing some spring cleaning or renovating your home, it’s fair to say you’ll accumulate your fair share of trash. With large-scale cleanouts, everything from old appliances and construction debris to mounds of personal items are kicked to the curb — or in this case, the dumpster. While roll-off dumpsters are just the class of workhorse you need to keep your project space clear, you should know that not every item you want to get rid of is welcome. Whether it may harm you or others, everyone should be on alert to make sure they safely dispose of certain materials.
If you’re looking for dumpster rental in South Jersey or beyond, know that here are things you shouldn’t throw away in dumpsters:
Chemical Waste and Hazardous Materials
Landfills do not accept most types of chemical waste, including lead-based household cleaners, motor oil, ink and resins, transmission fluid, engine fluid, and pesticides. While these chemicals may not be very harmful to the environment in the small amounts you’re disposing of, they do cause severe damage when combined with other chemicals. Flammable materials, such as propane tanks, also cannot be put in a dumpster.
Appliances with Chemicals
If appliances contain chemicals such as freon, you can’t put them in the dumpster. Refrigerators and air conditioning units are common culprits in this regard. Check to see if you can remove the freon before you throw them in a dumpster.
Batteries
Car batteries and old dry-cell batteries can be very toxic. Batteries contain mercury, lead, cadmium, and other poisonous chemicals that can take a toll on the earth if not disposed of properly.
Like the chemicals discussed above, your relatively conservative amount may not damage the environment on its own — but when combined with others, the negative impact on the environment and wildlife is substantial. It’s a good idea to take batteries to a local recycler.
Light Bulbs
Incandescent light bulbs are typically free of harmful chemicals. However, several light bulbs such as fluorescent and CFL (compact fluorescent light) bulbs do have chemicals in them. Yet, even halogen or incandescent bulbs can break when you throw them in the dumpster.
Ensure you dispose of them responsibly as to not endanger local recyclers. Glass shards are dangerous, even if chemicals aren’t a factor.
Electronics
Electronics like old televisions, computers, printers, tablets, and computer accessories should never be thrown away in a dumpster. Most electronics contain harmful chemicals that can also be found in batteries. A decent amount of states have it against the law to dispose of electronics in landfills.
Paints and Solvents
Most homeowners have at least one extra can of paint sitting in a closet, their basement, in the garage, or up in the attic — and it may be tempting to dump them into the dumpster when cleaning out your home or you’ve completed a paint job. There are harmful oils and chemicals in paint that seep into the ground and poison water sources if not properly disposed of.
Recyclables
From clean paper and cardboard to plastic bottles and aluminum cans, recyclable materials shouldn’t be discarded in dumpsters. They belong in the appropriate receptacle so they can be separated for future reuse.
How Do I Properly Dispose of Certain Materials?
From auto parts stores, recycling centers, and special waste management pickups that come with an additional fee, there are many disposal options you can take advantage of:
- Electronics and appliances: Certain retailers offer coupons or discounts on replacement items when you bring the items back to the store for recycling. Also, it’s worth checking with your township; municipal sites may accept these items at designated times of the year for approved disposal.
- Paints, oil, gas, and pesticides: Many municipalities have drop-off programs for these types of waste; contact them regarding upcoming events.
- Tires: Reach out to your local tire or auto parts retailers for additional information on drop-off and recycle programs.
Contact Us for Dumpster Rental in Philadelphia and Beyond
For more information about what can or cannot be thrown in a dumpster or anything else pertaining to your home project, turn to the experts. We offer a wide range of dumpster sizes to choose from; get in touch with us today!