Depending on the task you have at hand, renting a commercial dumpster can be expensive! As we have talked about cost of trash removal and how to choose the right dumpster service for your needs, extra associated costs – including hazard fees – can make trash pick-up more expensive than what you originally expected.
To avoid additional fees, Arrowaste wants to make sure you understand what can be thrown away and what cannot be thrown away in a typical rollaway dumpster. Along with great customer service and competitive prices, our company prides itself in working with clients to get the most out of their trash removal services. After securing a temporary dumpster service, make sure you don’t accidently throw these items in your rollaway:
- Chemical Waste
This may be a no-brainer, but landfills do not accept chemical waste and related materials. As there are many types of waste that fall under this realm, the most common are lead-based household cleaning supplies, gasoline, antifreeze, pesticides, and fertilizers. As these items are not harmful in small quantities, when mixed, these chemicals can be environmentally toxic. To protect animals, the water stream, and environment – as well as avoid an additional hazard fee from your dumpster rental company – it’s best to avoid eliminating these items in your dumpster.
- Batteries
Even though batteries are common household items, they contain mercury, lead, cadmium and other hazardous materials. Like other chemical waste, these materials can be detrimental to the environment in large quantities; because of this, they are not accepted by landfills or your dumpster rental company.
- Electronics
Electronics, along with batteries, contain harmful elements and should not be thrown away in rollaway dumpsters. If you would like to follow best practices for electronic reuse and recycling, refer to the Department of Quality’s guidelines. Otherwise, be prepared to be charged by your dumpster rental company.
- Paint & Aerosol Cans
Rollaway dumpsters are commonly rented out for project renovations, but it’s important to note that paint, paint chips, and aerosol cans may not be thrown away in traditional rollaways. Again, paint gives off volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are harmful to animals, water sources, and the environment.
- Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Waste
Any waste that includes sharps (such as needles), biohazard, or trace chemo, is not allowed to be thrown away in everyday rollaway dumpsters. If you work within a laboratory, hospital, or medical facility, make sure to follow proper workplace and Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) protocol. Most of these items can be de-contaminated with non-incineration processes.
As these are only a handful of many household hazardous waste items, make sure to contact your dumpster rental representative or visit the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) website for specific hazard elimination instructions.
To ensure environmental best practices and reduce waste removal costs, Arrowaste is happy to walk through any questions you may have about chemical materials or general waste removal in the Grand Rapids and Holland areas. Call us at (616) 748.1955 or fill out this form to get a quote, today!
