Category: #TrashTalk

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Choose the Right Garbage Container for Your Project

Waste Basket | Garbage Container | Eastern Panhandle WV | Panhandle Dumpsters

Garbage containers come in a variety of shapes and sizes, with differing containers suitable for different kinds of jobs.

If you want your waste disposed of as efficiently and cost-effectively as possible, take the time to choose the best container for your particular project. Here are the various factors to bear in mind. And if you need a little help choosing, you can always ask your trusty local rubbish removers for guidance.

Why Size and Frequency Matter

If your garbage container is too small for the amount of waste you’re producing, you’ll face overage chargers.

Overage occurs when the amount of waste no longer fits into the container. You either end up with a lit that doesn’t close or bags of trash on the ground. Aside from being messy, these unprotected rubbish bags attract rats, raccoons, and other animals.

In the short term, most waste disposal companies are happy to haul away overage with a small extra charge, but in the long term, you’ll need to increase container size, pickup frequency, or both.

On the other side of things, you may find yourself with a garbage container too large for your needs. This leads to plenty of extra space when it comes time for pickup. In this case, you’re paying a lot more than you need to be. The solution here is to reduce the size of your containers, the pickup frequency, or both.

Three Main Types of Garbage Containers

Judging the amount of waste you’re going to produce is no easy task, and there’s often an element of trial and error involved.

Experienced rubbish removal professionals have seen every kind of waste-producing project under the sun and can usually estimate your container needs with accuracy. To help you decide by yourself, here are the main types of containers and what kind of project each one is best suited for:

Two-Wheel Trash Cans

Standard two-wheel trash cans are the perfect garbage container for recurring residential use, and you probably have one at your house right now.

Their tall, narrow shape makes them perfect space-savers, and they can be tipped up and wheeled around by one person with ease. The most common size of two-wheelers is 240 liters, which is about 60 gallons, or enough to hold six to eight large kitchen trash bags.

These garbage containers are suitable for commercial use as well when the volume of waste is generally low or when the volume varies a lot. Two-wheel trash cans are also good for separating trash for recycling. But when it comes to most renovation or spring cleaning projects, a small garbage container is unlikely to be large enough.

Commercial Dumpsters

The next level up is commercial dumpsters. This is a large four-wheeled garbage container you often see in alleys behind restaurants, and also on the sites small residential or commercial projects.

The most common commercial dumpsters can hold about 24 large kitchen-sized trash bags. They’re perfect for recurring waste disposal and also for recycling most demands.

These garbage containers are also great for small residential decluttering and spring cleaning projects, smaller landscaping jobs, and collecting waste during a move. They’re convenient to drop off and pick up in almost any location and are good for most smaller projects.

Roll-Off Dumpsters

For more serious residential renovation jobs, commercial projects, and construction or demolition sites, you’ll need an open-top roll-off dumpster.

This large heavy-duty garbage container can handle a great deal of waste and debris of all shapes and sizes, especially the bulkier waste produced by extensive remodeling work. They’re usually open-top but can come with a canvas tarp, a plastic top, or a hard steel top.

Roll-off dumpsters are great for both long-term and short-term, large projects that produce a lot of waste. Once filled up, these dumpsters can be taken to the local landfill, emptied, and taken back to the project site to fill up again.

10-Yard Roll-Off Dumpsters

This garbage container is great for smaller residential jobs like a bathroom remodeling project, a garage clean out, or the removal of a single landscaping element, like a pathway, walkway, or small stretch of a patio.

20-Yard Roll-Off Dumpsters

A garbage container, like the 20-yard roll-off dumpsters, can be used for renovations of larger rooms, decluttering of a sizable basement, or a larger landscaping operation such as the removal of a concrete driveway.

30-Yard Roll-Off Dumpsters

If you’re planning on organizing and hauling away the contents of an entire home, you’re likely to need at least a 30-yard dumpster. These larger garbage containers are also great for commercial projects.

40-Yard Roll-Off Dumpsters

The 40-yard dumpsters can hold six to eight tons of debris. These largest roll-offs are necessary for the biggest house clean outs or remodeling jobs. Most commercial renovation, building sites, and industrial projects will need a garbage container or two of this size.

Always Consider Accessibility

Now you have a good idea of what size garbage container you need for your project, one final important consideration is accessibility.

You need enough of a flat surface for the garbage container to sit without impeding traffic to and from the site or property. For dumpster delivery,  the delivery truck itself needs room to maneuver without the risk of damaging anything.

When you have a potential eight-ton object resting on an area of ground, that surface needs to be tough. Most hard surfaces are fine for dumpsters, including asphalt, concrete, gravel, and bare ground.

Bare grassy surfaces may become churned up unless protected by layers of plywood. It’s also best to avoid placing dumpsters on already damaged surfaces, which might become further damaged by the wheels or weight of the garbage container.

Choosing the right garbage container for your project doesn’t have to be hard. From everyday residential trash to large scale commercial projects, you can find the right garbage container to fit your needs.

Looking For A Residential Roll Off Dumpster To Clean Out The Garage, Remove All That Trash From A Recent Home Project Or Simply To Get Rid Of Some Junk? Panhandle Dumpsters Is At Your Service!

Don’t put off that project any longer! Panhandle Dumpsters provides affordable roll off dumpster delivery and pick up for homes throughout the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia as well as the surrounding states of Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia. Please feel free to call us directly at 304.707.3913, explain your project, and we will be happy to provide our best quote on the exact size and type of dumpster you need to get the job done! We take great pride in being 100% transparent with no hidden fees! We also offer a variety of discounts for senior citizens, first responders and military members. No more excuses! Let’s help you get rid of that trash and junk once and for all!

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6 Reasons Renting a Dumpster is Better Than Hiring a Junk Removal Service

Messy Basement | Renting a Dumpster | Eastern Panhandle WV | Panhandle Dumpsters

It’s often surprising how much waste and junk is produced by a home improvement project.

Whether you’re doing a little spring cleaning, yard renovation, or serious construction work, you need to get rid of all the debris in a prompt, safe, and cost-effective way. For the majority of projects, hiring a dumpster is far preferable to hiring a junk removal service. In this post, we’ll go over five good reasons why that’s the case.

Dumpster vs. Junk Removal: What's the Difference?

We’re sure you already know, but just in case, let’s take a moment to clarify the difference between renting a dumpster and hiring a junk removal service.

A junk removal service brings a truck to your property at an agreed-upon date and time to collect all your waste and debris in one day. Depending on how much junk you have, they might need to make several trips to and from the site to dispose of it all.

A dumpster, on the other hand, is a large waste container that’s delivered to your property. The dumpster sits there for a scheduled amount of time, during which you can fill it with your debris, working to your timeframe.

When you’re finished, the dumpster is collected and taken away. Now, let’s consider why you would opt for a dumpster:

Dumpsters save you money

More often than not, a dumpster costs less than a junk removal service.

You can choose the size of container suitable for the scale of your project, and then you only pay one fixed cost for the rental.

Only one worker is required: the driver. And they only need to make two trips: one trip to drop off the dumpster and another to pick it up. This is extremely efficient and allows rental services to keep their prices low.

Junk removal companies are less efficient by the very nature of their service. Their costs are variable, based on the amount of truck space required to remove your waste.

But it’s often difficult for customers to predict the amount of waste they’ll produce. Most people are surprised by how much debris even a small renovation job or clean-out creates, which often leads to underestimation and unpleasant surprises in the removal bill.

Junk removal services also usually charge extra for each additional trip they need to make while hauling away your waste because their truck is full. Again, this is difficult to know in advance. On top of all that, they usually bring more than one worker to carry all the junk into the truck. And, of course, more hired hands means less cash in your pocket.

At Panhandle Dumpsters, if you end up filling your dumpster and still find yourself with rubbish, just give us a call. We’ll haul away the filled up dumpster and deliver an empty one so you can finish your project, at no extra cost to you.

Dumpsters allow you to work on your own time

Any kind of home renovation or spring cleaning project can be challenging and time-consuming.

It’s already stressful enough without additional time pressure. With a junk removal service, you need to have everything ready for collection by a certain date. Until that date, all the junk is lying around in disorderly heaps, cluttering up your space.

When the time comes, you need to remove every piece of waste on that single day. And you better not forget anything! If you do, you’ll have to hire the service again or remove the excess junk by yourself.

Junk removal services leave little margin for error. But with a  dumpster sitting outside for as long as needed, you have time to dispose of your junk and debris.

Dumpsters are safer

As mentioned before, with a junk removal service, your waste and debris heap up in open areas around your home, garden, yard, or construction site.

Not only does this create an eyesore, but it’s also a safety hazard. Workers, neighbors, family, and anyone else passing through the area might get injured. You could end up with a legal responsibility for any injuries incurred.

When you rent a dumpster, on the other hand, you have a clear central place for your waste to go throughout your project. Every piece of debris is removed and added into your container, away from any passerbys. 

Dumpsters help You Maintain Privacy

When you have a dumpster sitting outside, you maintain complete control over what gets hauled away.

Throughout the project, you toss most items into the dumpster. And when you’re ready, the dumpster is collected without discussing its contents.

But when you hire junk removal workers, they need to enter your premises and rummage through your things.

This sometimes leads to mistakes or miscommunication about what’s waste and what’s not. Even as courteous and respectful as these workers are, many customers don’t appreciate the slightly more invasive nature of the whole process.

With dumpsters You Can Work on Multiple Projects

Renting a dumpster is more flexible in all kinds of ways.

It allows for renovation jobs where you don’t know how long it will take. You can also rent a single dumpster for multiple projects. Whatever your disposal needs are, a dumpster has you covered.

Projects Perfectly Suited for a Dumpster

There aren’t many projects where a dumpster isn’t your best option.

If you’re carrying out any of the following jobs, consider getting a container delivered right away. If you’re unsure about the container size or timeframe required, you can always describe your project to the rental company. Often times, you can schedule a site visit to help choosing the best dumpster size for your project.

Home or Office Renovation

The last place you want debris piling up is around your home or office.

Keep these environments as neat as possible throughout your renovation work with a nice big container outside.

Roofing Work

Whether your a professional contractor, or an at home DIYer, you really can’t beat a dumpster for roofing projects.

Think of how much time you or your workers save by simply dropping old roof parts into a container beside your house rather than carrying it all downstairs piece by piece.

Moving

We all know that strange phenomenon where we’re moving and a vast amount of junk seems to appear out of nowhere.

Having a dumpster outside helps you deal with this curious problem. Many rental companies can even sort your junk to separate recyclable items.

Spring Cleaning

When welcoming in a new year, nothing feels better than decluttering out basements, attics, garages, and sheds.

Any kind of spring cleaning is made so much easier with a suitably sized dumpster on hand.

Outdoor Projects

Work on walkways, patios, and driveways using concrete also creates a surprising amount of debris that you can quickly dispose of in a dumpster.

The same goes for almost any landscaping project where you need to discard branches, soil, stones, leaves, grass clippings, shrubs, and any other natural scraps and refuse.

Community Projects

If the volume of your junk doesn’t warrant an entire dumpster, consider teaming up with your neighbors.

These days, it’s popular for whole communities to pool the rental fee for a single large dumpster. Then over a week or two, everyone can bring out their unwanted rubbish. You can get rid of most anything lying around the neighborhood that isn’t needed or wanted.

When it comes to any project, renting a dumpster is your best option. You save money, maintain privacy, and can work at your own pace. Panhandle Dumpsters offers both commercial roll-off dumpsters and residential roll-off dumpster to fit whatever project is next on your list.

Looking For A Residential Roll Off Dumpster To Clean Out The Garage, Remove All That Trash From A Recent Home Project Or Simply To Get Rid Of Some Junk? Panhandle Dumpsters Is At Your Service!

Don’t put off that project any longer! Panhandle Dumpsters provides affordable roll off dumpster delivery and pick up for homes throughout the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia as well as the surrounding states of Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia. Please feel free to call us directly at 304.707.3913, explain your project, and we will be happy to provide our best quote on the exact size and type of dumpster you need to get the job done! We take great pride in being 100% transparent with no hidden fees! We also offer a variety of discounts for senior citizens, first responders and military members. No more excuses! Let’s help you get rid of that trash and junk once and for all!

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Convenience of a Trash Service

Track Pickup | Trash Service | Panhandle Dumpsters Eastern Panhandle WV

Even if you’re great at recycling and reducing waste, some trash is inevitable. But this doesn’t mean you need to constantly make trips to the local dump. Signing up for trash service is a convenient way to get rid of your rubbish, save time and save energy. 

Trash Service Saves Time & Money

Do you find it time and energy-consuming to get rid of your rubbish yourself?

If you answered yes, you’re not alone. Weekly trash service can significantly improve the efficiency of your week, saving you time, energy, and money. Between working full time, taking care of our families, house projects, and more, it’s difficult to find the time needed to make a run to the dump to get rid of your trash. 

Weekly trash service is a dependable, inexpensive, and convenient way to ensure your trash never piles up. Once you’re signed up, your trash service will give you a dedicated day of the week for trash pickup.

Set it out the night before and it’s gone by the time you get home in the evening the next day. You also save the cost of buying your own trash can. At Panhandle Dumpsters, you can choose to use one of our yellow trashcans and paint your neighborhood yellow.

Quite and Environmentally Friendly Trucks

With a fleet of quiet, environmentally friendly trucks, we’ve optimized our service routes to efficiently and effectively remove your rubbish.

Our optimized routes also allow us to reduce our carbon footprint, and yours! Instead of running to the dump multiple times a week and expending your gas, you can let our environmentally friendly trucks pick up your trash once a week.

Trash Service Increases Curb Appeal

Have you ever driven by a house that has a lot of junk in the yard? Bags of trash and bulky items that just look messy.

With a trash service, you can avoid that and keep your property looking nice. In addition to weekly trash pickup, many trash service companies, including Panhandle Dumpsters, offer bulk pickup for larger items that don’t fit in a typical trash bag.

Need to get rid of that old bed frame or dresser? Schedule a bulk pickup and have it removed so your house and yard can stay clutter-free.

Keep Pests Away

Signing up for trash service is a great way to keep pests away from your home.

Trash can attract all sorts of wildlife and bugs that can cause damage or even pose health risks. Give yourself and your family peace of mind by knowing your trash will never sit around for weeks at a time.

In addition to removing the risk of unwanted critters, having weekly trash service also helps prevent the inevitable stink that accompanies garbage. You know the smell after the trash has been sitting for a while, especially in the summer heat.

That smell can clear a room fast. Instead of hauling the trash up in your car and constantly having your vehicle smell like trash, you can sign up for trash service. Those trucks already smell like garbage.

Professional Service

When you sign up for trash service, you can expect the same level of expertise and quality as any other service.

At Panhandle Dumpsters, we take the time to train our team and support their efforts so you never fall through the cracks. As a locally owned and operated business, we understand the needs of our community and actively work to meet those needs.

Trash Service Supports a Clean Community

As part of the community, we want to ensure our service areas stay clean and the environment is healthy.

We know you want the same thing. A great way to ensure a happy, clean community is to make sure your rubbish is disposed of in a clean, ethical way. The long-term health of our community depends on how we treat our trash removal now.

We Live Here Too

When you hire a trash service, not only are you helping you keep the community clean, but you’re also supporting local businesses.

Local businesses rely on you as much as you rely on them for all different types of service. When you support local, you’re putting valuable resources back into the community versus handing them to a corporate conglomerate.

All Your Trash Service Needs

Trash service doesn’t only include a weekly trash pickup. We also include bulk pickup service and dumpster rental services for those large projects.

We cater to both residential properties and commercial properties and businesses. At this time we are also working to get approved to use the local recycling center to offer recycling services.

To help us in our efforts to offer recycling services, you can sign our Planet Over Profit petition to increase our chances of breaking up the monopoly current help in the Eastern Panhandle.

Requesting weekly trash pickup reduces your costs, makes your life more convenient, and keeps the community clean. Whether you’re looking to take that weekly trip to the local dump off your plate, keep your home cleaner, or help support local businesses, trash service is a great option.

Searching For A New, Local, Residential Trash Pickup Provider In The Eastern Panhandle Of West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Maryland Or Virginia? We Should Talk!

If you’re looking for a well respected trash pickup or dumpster company to service your property the search is over! Panhandle Dumpsters is a family owned and operated business that services clients throughout the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia as well as the surrounding states of Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia. Please feel free to call us directly at  304.707.3913 and we will be happy to explain our affordable pricing plans. We take great pride in being 100% transparent with no hidden fees! We also offer a variety of discounts for senior citizens, first responders and military members. You may have never fallen in love with your garbage hauling company in the past, but we’re convinced you’ll fall in love with us!

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Effects of Trash on the Environment

Trash | Effects of Trash | Panhandle Dumpsters Eastern Panhandle WV

Each year, humans produce two billion tons of waste. Although some of this gets burned or recycled, a lot of it is sent to landfill to break down over time.

As trash breaks down it can cause damage to the environment around us. Waste that has been dumped has a big effect on nature because it changes habitats and causes pollution.

As plastic breaks down, dangerous chemicals are leaked into the environment, making the problem even worse. Animals also often eat litter because they mistake it for food.

Effects of Trash on Natural Habitats

All over the world, habitats are being affected by waste that has been dumped in nature. This effect is especially strong in bodies of water, such as rivers, seas, and lakes.

When litter is dumped, it can reduce the amount of sunlight that penetrates the water, which makes it difficult for plants to grow. This reduces the oxygen levels in the water which causes the structure of the habitat will change.

Scientists estimate that almost 300 species are affected by the waste in the environment. Cleaning up waste is a great first step toward solving this issue and preventing mass extinction.

Chemical Effects of Trash

Another major problem is the chemicals that are released by litter. Almost all plastics are made of fossil fuels, so they come from nature.

However, some of the most dangerous chemicals known to us are used during the production process, including flame retardants, heavy metals, bisphenols, and phthalates. Studies have shown that many natural habitats now contain thousands or even millions of times more of these harmful substances than they should.

This is partly because chemicals are released into bodies of water but also because plastic can absorb dangerous substances. When plastic breaks down in a natural environment, chemicals are released, causing pollution. Toxic chemicals have been found inside many animals.

Effects of Ingesting Trash

One of the biggest reasons why plastic waste is so damaging is that animals often eat plastic, metal, or glass because they perceive it as food.

For example, plastic bags look a lot like jellyfish when floating in the water, so they are often eaten by turtles, fish, and seabirds. Litter ingested by animals can cause both external and internal injuries.

As the chemicals inside plastic waste break down, they contaminate animals. Some of the effects of ingesting waste are lower body weight, a reduced ability to reproduce, and problems with building up fat reserves.

Effects of Trash on Humans

Although we don’t always realize it, human beings are connected to the natural world, so the impact of pollution and littering on our lives is huge.

The most noticeable issue is the pollution of our food. Nowadays, many common foods contain tiny particles of plastic called microplastics. We don’t yet know how these will impact our health in the long term.

How Can We Reduce Trash?

Virtually everyone living in the US creates waste, but we can all do our part to reduce its impact.

The best way to reduce consumption is to start paying attention to where most of your trash comes from. Do you buy food that comes packed in a lot of plastic? Are you still using plastic bags instead of reusable ones? Do you get a lot of deliveries that are packaged in a wasteful way?

If so, it’s time to make some changes. Commit to reducing the amount of waste you create, for example, by buying a reusable water bottle and cloth bags.

You can also check whether there are more environmentally friendly supermarkets and delivery companies in your area. Instead of throwing out old clothes, furniture, and other objects, bring them to a charity or second-hand shop where someone else can use them.

Does Recycling Help?

Recycling is a great way to reduce the amount of trash in a landfill.

Whenever you can’t go without packaging, try to opt for something that can be recycled. For example, aluminum cans are better than single-use plastic bottles because they are infinitely recyclable, and they don’t leach any chemicals into the environment.

Many regular household items can be recycled, including paper, some kinds of metals, glass, plastic bottles, and other plastic containers. Reach out to your local waste collection company to learn more about your area’s recycling system.

At Panhandle Dumpsters, we are campaigning to access Apple Valley Waste’s recycling center. We hope that we will be able to help you with recycling soon.

Call Panhandle Dumpsters for your Trash Service

The best way to get rid of any remaining waste is to sign up for a weekly trash pick up service with a responsible and community-oriented company.

We aim to always put your local area and the environment first. Our trucks are specially designed to be quiet and environmentally friendly so your neighborhood remains undisturbed.

Households can sign up for weekly trash collection as well as bulk pick up for larger items. We also offer affordable dumpster rentals to residents and companies.

Waste is an inevitable part of our lives, however, we can dispose of our waste in an ethical, environmentally-friendly way. In order to maintain our responsibility to the younger generation and the environment around us, Panhandle Dumpsters asks that you sign our Planet Over Profit petition to help us gain access to the local Recycling Center.

Searching For A New, Local, Residential Trash Pickup Provider In The Eastern Panhandle Of West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Maryland Or Virginia? We Should Talk!

If you’re looking for a well respected trash pickup or dumpster company to service your property the search is over! Panhandle Dumpsters is a family owned and operated business that services clients throughout the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia as well as the surrounding states of Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia. Please feel free to call us directly at  304.707.3913 and we will be happy to explain our affordable pricing plans. We take great pride in being 100% transparent with no hidden fees! We also offer a variety of discounts for senior citizens, first responders and military members. You may have never fallen in love with your garbage hauling company in the past, but we’re convinced you’ll fall in love with us!

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Renting a Dumpster for Your Move

Red Dumpster | Renting a Dumpster | Panhandle Dumpsters Eastern Panhandle WV

If you’ve ever moved before, you know just how much junk accumulates over time.

Renting a dumpster can be an efficient way of getting rid of the rubbish that you no longer need or want. What do you need to know when it’s time to rent a dumpster?

There Are Rules About Where Dumpsters Can Go

When renting a dumpster, make sure to check that you have enough space for the dumpster to sit while it’s being filled up.

The most common size for a roll-off dumpster is 30 yards, which measures 20 ft in length, 8 ft in width, and 6 ft in height. 

Typical areas to park a dumpster include the driveway or yard. If you have enough space to accommodate a dumpster, you shouldn’t run into any issues renting a dumpster for a few days. 

If your driveway is too small to fit your dumpster and you don’t have a yard large enough, check with your HOA about parking it on the street. While this may not be a long-term option, you may be ok to use the street for a few hours.

You Will Need to Book Your Dumpster In Advance

Renting a dumpster is not typically something you want to do at the last minute.

With dumpster rental being such a popular option for moving and cleaning, there’s no guarantee a dumpster will be available if you don’t book in advance. 

If you know when you’ll need your dumpster, book out as far in advance as possible. That way, your dumpster rental service can ensure they have a dumpster ready for your move or project.

Know How the Calculations for Your Quote Are Made

The price for renting a dumpster is usually calculated by a base price, which includes a maximum ton limit, as well as a per ton price over the limit. 

For example, if the cost of renting a dumpster starts at $500 and includes up to three tons of garbage, you’ll be charged only $500 as long as you don’t exceed three tons. If you do exceed three tons, you pay a price per ton over three tons.

Know Which Items Are Restricted and Allowed

It’s also very important to know what you can and can’t throw away when you rent a dumpster.

Your dumpster rental company should have a list of restricted items available so you know before you start your move.

Many of these restricted items include liquids, hazardous waste, batteries, tires, metal, paint, and electronics. While most items will need to be loose, some items, such as yard waste, can be bagged before being placed in the dumpster.

When Is Renting a Dumpster for a Move a Good Idea?

Anytime you’re moving! Renting a dumpster for your move can help you save time and money.

Getting rid of belongings that aren’t in good condition and large amounts of rubbish is part of the moving process. Whether you’re moving in or moving out, trash accumulates quickly.

It’s common for people to separate belongings into three types of boxes. Items they are keeping, items they are donating, and items that are trash. Guess which one is usually the biggest? Well, the keep boxes typically take the win, but the trash pile is a close second. 

Instead of bagging up all the trash, loading your vehicle, and making multiple trips to the local dump, rent a dumpster and get rid of everything at once.  

Renting a dumpster also helps clear space in your house while you’re moving. Pile trash in the dumpster rather than the corner of the living room.

What Other Reasons Are There to Rent a Dumpster?

Aside from renting a dumpster before your move, there are a few other times when renting a dumpster can be beneficial.

Downsizing

If you are downsizing, renting a dumpster can help you get rid of a significant amount of items at one time.

Downsizing is a common practice for many different reasons. And although donating items certainly has a place, not all items can be donated.

Property Clear-Out

Property clear-outs are also a common reason for renting a dumpster.

A property clear-out can occur for an estate sale, after a renter vacates a property, after the death of a loved one, or simply to get rid of unusable items. Clearing out a property typically means throwing away large furniture, clothes, and other items that don’t have value or can’t be donated.

Junk Removal

Junk in or around your home can be an eyesore.

While some items may need to be disposed of through other methods, a dumpster can be a great option to load everything up and haul it away in one run rather than making multiple trips.

Home Renovation

Home renovation is another reason for renting a dumpster.

If you’re planning a home renovation, be sure to do your homework as to which items can be removed using a dumpster. Some construction materials may be restricted and need to be disposed of using alternative methods.

Neighborhood Trash-Outs

Neighborhood trash-outs are a great way to keep the neighborhood clean and allow multiple people to get rid of unusable items at one time.

Renting a dumpster for the neighborhood can also help cut down on costs if everyone pitches in toward the rental price. If your neighborhood has annual yard sales, consider renting a dumpster for the day so any broken or unusable items can be tossed right away instead of stored back inside until next year’s yard sale.

If you are preparing to move, downsize, clean up, or clear out, renting a dumpster is a great asset to utilize. It’s a cost-effective way to remove large amounts of rubbish and can help you save time. At Panhandle Dumpsters, we’ll drop off your dumpster on the scheduled day and haul the trash away for you once you’re done filling it up.

Searching For A New, Local, Residential Trash Pickup Provider In The Eastern Panhandle Of West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Maryland Or Virginia? We Should Talk!

If you’re looking for a well respected trash pickup or dumpster company to service your property the search is over! Panhandle Dumpsters is a family owned and operated business that services clients throughout the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia as well as the surrounding states of Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia. Please feel free to call us directly at  304.707.3913 and we will be happy to explain our affordable pricing plans. We take great pride in being 100% transparent with no hidden fees! We also offer a variety of discounts for senior citizens, first responders and military members. You may have never fallen in love with your garbage hauling company in the past, but we’re convinced you’ll fall in love with us!

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7 Common Recycling Myths

Recycling Bin | Recycling | Panhandle Dumpsters Eastern Panhandle WV

If you want to be kind to the planet, you may be interested in recycling.

However, there are many myths surrounding this waste management process, including some words of wisdom that were true in the past but are no longer true thanks to modern advancements in technology. Learn all about these recycling myths and the proper way to dispose of your paper, plastic, metal, and glass.

Myth #1: You Must Sort Recycling By Material

There is a myth that recycled items must be sorted into individual materials.

However, for residential bins, there is usually no reason to separate your papers from your plastics or your cans from your cardboard.

The sorting process at your local waste management center separates these materials for you, so all you need to do is make sure that you are tossing out the appropriate materials.

Of course, if your local recycling center does enforce different recycling bins for different goods, then you should follow these rules. The same is true of commercial bins for paper and plastic.

What Type of Sorting Should Be Done?

Typically, your local recycling center cares more about sorting garbage waste from recycled waste.

For example, absolutely no organic materials should be included in your recycling bin, which means no discarded food or organic compost. Any non-recyclable items should be thrown away in the regular trash.

When you include these non-recyclable materials in your recycle bin, you prevent all of your other goods from being processed.

Myth #2: Recycling Machines Sort Items

There is a misconception that machines at your local recycling center will sort your recycled items.

However, real people work at recycling centers and manually separate materials into proper categories so these items can be recycled correctly. Although there are machines that will crush or compress large amounts of the same type of recycled items, these machines are not capable of separating the materials initially.

Myth #3: All "Recyclable" Materials Can Be Recycled

Plastic is plastic, right? Not exactly.

When it comes to recycling, this isn’t always the case. For example, even though a water bottle can be recycled, many recycling centers don’t accept plastic lids from the water bottle.

It’s important to educate yourself about the recycled items that are accepted by your recycling center so you can include the correct materials.

Who Sets the Recycling Rules?

The rules for items that can be accepted by your local recycling center are set by the recycling center and your state legislation.

The rules are ultimately determined by the type of machines that are at the recycling center, the capacity of the center, and your state’s disposition to reusing certain goods.

Additionally, if your local recycling center sells recycled goods to manufacturers, this can also determine what goods materials are accepted.

Myth #4: Crumpled or Crushed Items Can't Be Recycled

Some people believe that crumpled or crushed items can’t be recycled.

However, if you’re in the habit of crushing cans or you have a broken jar, these items can still be included in your recycle bin. If these items are clean, they will be sorted to the correct machine to be further compressed, so it doesn’t matter if you throw them in the bin damaged.

What About Broken Down Cardboard?

One of the major recycled goods is cardboard boxes. However, because cardboard boxes are large, they can take up a significant amount of room in your recycle bin.

For this reason, it’s usually recommended that you do your best to break down cardboard into a flat shape, as this makes it easier for you to recycle more materials each week.

Broken-down cardboard can also make it easier for your local waste management center to process this material. Just be careful not to recycle pizza boxes. The grease from the pizza leave the cardboard tainted and unable to be recycled.

Myth #5: Recyclable Items Can Only Be Recycled Once

With so many manufacturers using recycled products for packaging, you may be wondering if you can recycle materials that have already been recycled once.

There is a misconception that you can’t re-recycle items; however, many materials can be recycled several times before the material loses structural integrity. When in doubt, go ahead and recycle acceptable materials again.

What Are the Most Common Re-Recycled Items?

The most common recycled materials include single-use plastic, such as water bottles, and cardboard.

Metal and glass are also easily reused multiple times, particularly because these items can be melted down and turned into something new altogether.

Myth #6: Plastic Bags Can Be Recycled

Some people like to sort their recycled goods into plastic bags or like to line their residential recycle bins with plastic.

However tempting as it may be to use a plastic trash bag for your recycled items, it’s best to leave the items loose so they can be easily sorted at the recycling center. 

With the way plastic bags are produced these days, not all recycling centers are set up to recycle them. If you still want to recycle plastic bags, contact your local recycling center for advice. There may be organizations in your area that specifically accept plastic bags.

You can also research alternatives uses for plastic bags. Like these 23 Ways to Repurpose Plastic Bags.

Myth #7: Food Containers Must Be Scrubbed Clean

People also believe that food containers must be scrubbed clean.

However, the truth is that a simple rinse to remove visible food waste from a container is usually adequate.  You don’t need to scrub every food container until it’s squeaky clean.

Instead, food containers should be free of grease and large chunks of food so that they can be correctly processed with other recycled materials.

What Containers Can't Be Recycled?

There are times when you have a container that shouldn’t be recycled.

as previously mentioned pizza boxes shouldn’t be recycled and milk cartons are also often not accepted. For a full list of items that can and cannot be recycled, contact your local waste authority.

It’s important to learn how to recycle correctly by the standards of your local recycling center. By debunking certain myths, you can be a better friend to the environment and the workers at your local recycling center.

Searching For A New, Local, Residential Trash Pickup Provider In The Eastern Panhandle Of West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Maryland Or Virginia? We Should Talk!

If you’re looking for a well respected trash pickup or dumpster company to service your property the search is over! Panhandle Dumpsters is a family owned and operated business that services clients throughout the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia as well as the surrounding states of Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia. Please feel free to call us directly at  304.707.3913 and we will be happy to explain our affordable pricing plans. We take great pride in being 100% transparent with no hidden fees! We also offer a variety of discounts for senior citizens, first responders and military members. You may have never fallen in love with your garbage hauling company in the past, but we’re convinced you’ll fall in love with us!

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The Trash Bag Lifecycle

Landfill | Trash Bag Lifecycle | Panhandle Dumpsters Eastern Panhandle WV

The trash bag lifecycle refers to all the stages of a trash bag, from production to decomposition.

It’s important to understand this lifecycle so that you can understand the impact using certain types of trash bags can have on the environment.

To reduce stress on the environment, it’s also important to use trash bags that will decompose quickly or give back to the environment rather than hurting it.

Production

Most plastic trash bags are made with crude oil, which is the basic component of making all plastic.

Crude oil is a non-renewable resource made with fossil fuels, which means that it is a resource rapidly becoming less available.

To create a trash bag, crude oil is heated and pressurized to create ethylene gas, which then turns into polyethylene strings used to create different types of plastic. The process of creating trash bags itself uses toxic chemicals and puts toxic pollution into the air.

Use

Bag of Trash | Trash Bag Lifecycle | Panhandle Dumpsters Eastern Panhandle WV

The next stage of the trash bag lifecycle is how they are used. The most common use for a trash bag is – you guessed it – trash.

Depending on your household size and the way you manage your waste, you may use anywhere between 1-2 trash bags to 4-5 trash bags a week. A single trash bag may only be used for 1-2 days before being filled up and moved to the dumpster.

Discard and Decompose

Once your trash bag is filled with rubbish, the next step in the trash bag lifecycle is the landfill.

The typical trash bag takes 10-20 years to decompose, while other plastic trash bags can take 500 to 1000 years to break down. 

This means that there are plastic bags still in existence since 1965 when the first plastic bag was created. During the process of decomposition, many of the toxic chemicals used to make trash bags are released into the ground.

Why Does Decomposition Take So Long for Plastic?

The length of decomposition seems rather long until you consider that the materials used to create plastic bags don’t exist naturally in nature. Things that do not exist in nature do not have microorganisms that can break them down effectively.

Alternative Trash Bags

While the lifecycle of a plastic trash bag seems short to us, it is actually very long.

Other trash bag alternatives are better for the environment and have a much shorter life span. Using these alternative bags can help trash materials break down quickly or be recycled, which can reduce stress on the environment and landfills.

Paper Bags

While paper bags are most commonly used to collect outdoor trash, such as dead leaves and debris from storms, paper bags can also be used for trash. 

Paper bags from grocery stores or fast food restaurants can generally break down in about a month or two, which is significantly better than the lifespan of a plastic bag.

Compostable Bags

You also have the choice of using a compostable bag. Compostable bags essentially break down into resources that provide nutrients to the soil through the decomposition process. 

Through a combination of oxygen and heat, compostable bags can help the environment by reducing pollution and providing the land with resources to sustain healthy growth.

Biodegradable Bags

Biodegradable bags are another option that is becoming more popular. Sometimes called controlled lifecycle plastic bags, biodegradable bags are made with a material that decomposes in nature.

These bags are specifically designed to break down in landfills, but they do not provide nutrients to the soil. Oxo-biodegradable and hydro-biodegradable are the two most common types of biodegradable bags

How to Minimize Plastic Waste

In addition to changing the type of trash bag you use for your everyday household trash, there are other things you can do to minimize plastic waste and help protect the environment.

Use Reusable Bags

Reusable cloth bags for grocery shopping can greatly reduce your plastic waste.

Reusable shopping bags can sometimes be made of a plant-based material that will last for several uses before breaking down. You may also consider nylon reusable bags, which tend to have a bit more strength than cloth bags or plastic-based materials.

Avoid Single-Use Plastic

It’s also a good idea to avoid single-use plastic, such as straws, plastic utensils, bags, or plastic that may be used for packaging.

While avoiding all single-use plastic may not be possible, you can greatly reduce your waste by switching to steel or wooden utensils, silicone straws, or other reusable replacement items.

Buy in Bulk

Buying in bulk not only saves time and money but can also reduce plastic waste.

Bulk items typically have less packaging material than single-use or smaller-quality purchases.

Use a Thermos

Plastic water bottles are one of the leading contributors to plastic waste found in landfills and the ocean.

However, you can easily switch to using a thermos and a water purification system to reduce plastic waste.

Replacing Other PLastics

You can also look for other opportunities to swap out plastic in your every day life. 

For example, you can replace plastic razors with steel razors, shampoo bottles with shampoo bars, and plastic combs with wooden brushes. Many companies are working very hard to create sustainable packaging for personal care items, so be open to changing the items that you use daily.

The lifecycle of a trash bag can last for up to 1,000 years, depending on the density of the plastic bag. However, there are plastic bag alternatives that are friendlier to the environment and break down more quickly in landfills. You can also consider other ways to reduce your plastic waste

Searching For A New, Local, Residential Trash Pickup Provider In The Eastern Panhandle Of West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Maryland Or Virginia? We Should Talk!

If you’re looking for a well respected trash pickup or dumpster company to service your property the search is over! Panhandle Dumpsters is a family owned and operated business that services clients throughout the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia as well as the surrounding states of Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia. Please feel free to call us directly at  304.707.3913 and we will be happy to explain our affordable pricing plans. We take great pride in being 100% transparent with no hidden fees! We also offer a variety of discounts for senior citizens, first responders and military members. You may have never fallen in love with your garbage hauling company in the past, but we’re convinced you’ll fall in love with us!

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Green Alternatives for Trash

Woman Composting | Green Alternative | Panhandle Dumpsters Eastern Panhandle WV

Many people and businesses are looking for green alternatives that will help them reduce their impact on the climate. One important element of being environmentally friendly is waste disposal. Instead of sending all your rubbish to the landfill, you can implement strategies that will help you to reduce your waste and dispose of it in a greener way.

There are five key points to keep in mind: reduce, reuse, repair, recycle, and rot.

If you do an audit of your household or company and put measures in place to improve the way you handle waste, you can not only help improve the environment, but you can also reduce your spending.

While all five of these green alternatives are important, each one has a time and place to be used. The best place to start is by trying to reduce your overall waste.

Then look for items that can be reused or repaired rather than thrown away. Items that aren’t viable for reuse should be recycled if possible. Finally, organic materials, such as paper, cardboard, and food waste can be used for composting (rot).

Reduce

Reducing the amount of waste you create is one of the best ways of lowering your carbon footprint. There is a laundry list of ways to reduce waste and many of these will be dependent on your household or business. 

A few ways include: opting for bulk purchases that use less packaging, limiting the number of single-use items you consume, making smaller food portions or freezing leftovers, using reusable containers, and choosing cloth towels instead of paper towels. 

Start small by choosing one area of your household or business at a time. For a household, the biggest areas of improvement to reduce waste will be in the kitchen and cleaning. Many of the other green alternatives below will also help reduce the overall amount of waste that is produced.

Reuse

Reusable items are unfortunately thrown away every day. A green alternative to throwing items out is to look for opportunities to reuse or repurpose.

Again, start small to not get overwhelmed, but look for opportunities for items to be reused or repurposed instead of tossed in the trash. In addition to reducing the amount of waste produced, reusing items can help you save money.

Old clothes can be donated or cut up and used as a replacement for paper towels, saving you hundreds of dollars a year. Egg cartons, to-go coffee cups, and cardboard toilet paper rolls can be used as starter pots for seeds. Jars can be used to store items or decorated as a vase to hold flowers. Plastic grocery bags can be reused as trash can bags for bathroom trash. 

There are so many more items that can be reused or repurposed instead of buying new ones. A little effort goes a long way, for both the environment and your wallet.

Repair

Too often something gets damaged or broken and, instead of being fixed, gets tossed in the trash.

Taking the time to learn some basic DIY and fix-it skills be a great green alternative to contributing to the landfill and help you save money.

Why throw away a good shirt just because there’s a rip in the seam? Or spend hundreds of dollars on a new dresser just because it has some scratches? 

You don’t have to be Martha Stewart, but nowadays there are so many resources available to help you learn some basic skills that can save you hundreds, if not thousands of dollars, a year. Not only will you save money, but you can customize items exactly the way you want them to be.

Recycle

Recycling is a great green alternative for items that can’t be reused or repaired.

Items like old batteries, aluminum and other metals, glass, cardboard, paper, and plastic can be recycled at your local recycling center. If you’re unsure whether an item can be recycled, visit your county Solid Waste Authority for more information.

Some items, like paper, can be recycled at home. A fun project to do with kids, check out these step-by-step instructions to make your own paper, by Environmental Education for Kids! Paper and cardboard can also be used as fire starters for bonfires or fireplaces.

Rot (Compost)

The greenest of the green alternatives, composting gives back to the environment instead of hurting it.

Organic materials such as food scraps, paper, and cardboard can be composted, so they break down and turn back into the soil. Compost can then be used in the garden or for household plants as nutrient-dense soil.

Eggshells and coffee grounds are great fertilizers for indoor and outdoor plants and can be added to the soil as is. Vegetable scraps can be used to make broth before being added to the compost pile. 

Woman Composting | Green Alternative | Panhandle Dumpsters Eastern Panhandle WV

Chicken and beef scraps can also be used to make broth but be sure never to add these scraps to the compost file. Meat scraps should always be safely disposed of in the garbage. 

Compost piles can be kept outdoors if you have the space, or inside bins, if you lack a large enough yard. A little research on the subject will do a long way.

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What to Expect

After you’ve taken the time to find green alternatives and practice reduce, reuse, repair, recycle, and rot the majority of your waste, you should be left with a few items that can be thrown away in the trash can and taken to the landfill.

This won’t be an overnight process. But over time, if you make a conscious effort, you’ll see your overall waste dwindling.

In addition to looking for opportunities to reduce waste, you can reuse or repurpose materials you already have and repair items when they wear out. Upcycling is trendy, and your entire household can be involved in the process. Once you’ve optimized waste reduction, you can compost organic material and recycle glass, paper, metal, and plastic items.

Searching For A New, Local, Residential Trash Pickup Provider In The Eastern Panhandle Of West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Maryland Or Virginia? We Should Talk!

If you’re looking for a well respected trash pickup or dumpster company to service your property the search is over! Panhandle Dumpsters is a family owned and operated business that services clients throughout the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia as well as the surrounding states of Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia. Please feel free to call us directly at  304.707.3913 and we will be happy to explain our affordable pricing plans. We take great pride in being 100% transparent with no hidden fees! We also offer a variety of discounts for senior citizens, first responders and military members. You may have never fallen in love with your garbage hauling company in the past, but we’re convinced you’ll fall in love with us!

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Waste Management Methods

Recycling Bins | Waste Management | Panhandle Dumpsters | Eastern Panhandle WV

No matter how efficient or frugal somebody is, it is inevitable that they will generate some waste that needs to be disposed of. While everybody is familiar with this fact, what may be less well-known is the different waste management methods that are used to deal with this waste.

Recycling

We know – you’ve heard it a thousand times. Recycle, recycle, recycle.

And we’re going to tell you again, because recycling really is one of the best waste management methods. Recycling reclaims potentially useful materials from the waste that gets generated by businesses and residences. 

Recycling involves sorting out materials that are valuable for reuse. They can be processed and repurposed into new goods.

There are a variety of materials that can be efficiently recycled to improve the economical and ecological outcomes of waste. Did you know cardboard can be recycled very efficiently, using only 75% of the energy required to make new cardboard? And according to the National Institutes of Health:

  • By recycling paper, up to 60% less tress will need to be harvested
  • It takes 95% less energy to recycle aluminum as it does to make it from raw materials
  • Recycled steel saves 60% in production energy, recycled newspaper saves 40%, recycles plastics saves 70% and recycled glass saves 40%

Glass, plastics, paper products, cardboard and metals such as aluminum are good candidates for recycling. You can visit your county waste authority to find out what materials are recycled and where to take them.

Recycling | Waste Management | Panhandle Dumpsters Eastern Panhandle WV

Composting

Among the many different types of waste that ends up being thrown away, food waste is one of the most prevalent.

The USDA estimates that food waste in the United States is at roughly 30% to 40% of the total food supply. 

Given that many people are faced with the struggles of food insecurity, finding a way to reduce that waste is vital. Some food waste is inevitable, so it’s also important to find a way to effectively reuse food that gets thrown out.

A food waste management method that is widely used is composting. Composting is an effective method for waste management because it can be used whether you live in an apartment in the city or farm in the county. 

Composting is a process of breaking down organic material into a nutrient dense soil. This soil can be added to your yard, garden, or house plants for a burst of fertilization. To get more information on composting, visit the EPA’s “Composting at Home”.

Composting | Waste Management | Panhandle Dumpsters Eastern Panhandle WV

Animal Feed

Another method of dealing with food waste is using it as animal feed.

Whether you have farm animals or wild animals in your backyard, throwing out viable food scraps to animals is a great way to keep it out of the landfill. 

Be sure to do some initial research on your area’s wildlife laws, wildlife in your area, and what they can and can’t eat. Domesticated animals require some initial research as well, such as what foods may be harmful to animals.

It’s important to keep in mind, that whether you’re composting or feeding your local Bambi, the majority of the food scraps you’ll be working with are organic materials, such as vegetables and fruit scraps. 

Landfill Disposal

Another common means of waste management is sending solid waste to landfills so that it can be piled up and buried away from commercial or residential areas.

While this waste management method is widely used, there are negative impacts on the environment due to the land being used and harmful materials released into the ground. 

As society becomes more ecologically conscious, people are looking for ways to reduce the overuse of landfills. Recycling and composting, as we talked about earlier, are great ways to reduce the amount of waste in the landfill. 

Another area with room for improvement is the packaging of goods; about one-third of the mass at any given landfill is made up of packaging material. By reducing our single-use or single-packaged items, carrying reusable containers for leftovers, and drinking out of a reusable water bottle, we can limit the amount of packaging in the landfill

Landfill | | Waste Management | Panhandle Dumpsters Eastern Panhandle WV

Alternative Waste Management Methods

Since landfills aren’t a very efficient way to use land and their negative impacts on the environment, waste management professionals are seeking alternative ways to dispose of rubbish.

While most of these methods are still being researched, there are a few methods we’re getting close to being able to use effectively and efficiently.

Incineration

One waste management method that has seen increased use over recent years is waste incineration.

This method involves burning non-recyclable waste so that it doesn’t take up space in a landfill.

However, this method is not without downsides. It takes a great deal of energy to run a trash incinerator at temperatures high enough to break down the materials. 

In addition, the byproducts of the incineration process also emit high levels of carbon into the atmosphere. These emissions trap heat in the atmosphere and contribute to global warming.

Plasma Gasification

The advance in technology has allowed new methods of waste disposal to come to the fore, increasing our ability to handle the waste that society generates. 

Like incineration, another waste management method being researched is plasma gasification. This method involves exposing waste to high temperatures that convert the waste into a highly ionized gas.

While this method still required extremely high temperatures to reduce the waste, there are potentially better uses for the byproducts. Instead of burning, which results in a release of carbon, gasification produces gas primarily made up of hydrogen and carbon monoxide.

Benefits of a Waste Management Service

Quick and Convenient

No one wants to waste more time than needed to get rid of rubbish. With a waste management service, you have access to a weekly trash pick up and most waste management companies offer dumpster rental services for those larger projects.

Great for Any Project

At Panhandle Dumpsters, we offer a variety of services catered to the needs of our clients. In addition to a weekly trash pick-up, we offer free bulk pick-up twice a month for large items as well as dumpster rental for your big projects. 

No matter what you need to get done, Panhandle Dumpsters is a one-size-fits-all solution that can take care of all your waste management needs.

Cost-Effective

We know you want to get the best value for your money. Our competitive prices for trash service and dumpster rentals let your life be clutter-free and keep your wallet happy

Searching For A New, Local, Residential Trash Pickup Provider In The Eastern Panhandle Of West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Maryland Or Virginia? We Should Talk!

If you’re looking for a well respected trash pickup or dumpster company to service your property the search is over! Panhandle Dumpsters is a family owned and operated business that services clients throughout the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia as well as the surrounding states of Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia. Please feel free to call us directly at  304.707.3913 and we will be happy to explain our affordable pricing plans. We take great pride in being 100% transparent with no hidden fees! We also offer a variety of discounts for senior citizens, first responders and military members. You may have never fallen in love with your garbage hauling company in the past, but we’re convinced you’ll fall in love with us!

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Reduce Waste in Your Business and Save Money

Recycling Bins | Reduce Waste | Panhandle Dumpsters Eastern Panhandle WV

All over the world, waste is a growing problem. Excess waste contributes to pollution, global warming, and adverse weather conditions. Fortunately, there are many ways for businesses to reduce waste. 

If you’re interested in becoming more sustainable and lowering your costs, there are steps you can take.

Audit Your Business

Company Audit | Reduce Waste | Panhandle Dumpsters Eastern Panhandle WV

It’s hard to reduce waste if you don’t know where exactly it’s coming from.

Start with an audit of your company to evaluate all the sources of excess waste. 

Ask questions like “what’s contributing to the waste?” “Is this work-related or personal items from employees?” “Can these items be replaced by reusable or compostable items?”

Take note of where your trash cans or recycling bins are located and how many you have. If you put trash cans everywhere but only one recycling bin, busy employees are less likely to recycle.

To create lasting change, you should make it as easy as possible for your employees to act sustainably. Note places where you can improve, such as reducing the amount of printed paper and switching to recyclable or reusable items.

Reuse, Reuse, Reuse

In many businesses, a lot of trash is created during breaks and lunch.

Encouraging your employees to use reusable containers could significantly reduce waste. 

A good place to start is to eliminate plastic water bottles and one-use coffee cups. A small financial investment to provide your employees with reusable water and coffee cups can reduce waste and save you money in the long run.

Go Paperless to Reduce Waste

We understand that you may not be able to go completely paperless. A running business runs on paper.

However, there may be areas where you can reduce waste created by paper. 

Consider uploading important documents to a server, like Google Docs, so they can be accessed by everyone, or use e-signature documents to limit the number of printed pages.

Many companies have seen the benefits of investing in iPads or tablets for their employees rather than printing out hundreds of pages of paper. Reducing your paper waste is not only good for the environment but can help you save a lot of money in the long run on paper and ink costs.

Computer | Reduce Waste | Panhandle Dumpsters Eastern Panhandle WV

Pay Attention to Packaging

Did you know that one-third of all the trash we produce comes from the packaging?

If you want to reduce waste in your business, check how the items you use are packaged. Opt for bulk purchases or limit the amount of single-packaged items you consume.

If you manufacture a physical product, eliminate plastic packaging and try to use sustainable materials instead. If this isn’t possible, look for ways to reduce the amount of packaging.

Reduce Waste by Recycling

Recycling Bins | Reduce Waste | Panhandle Dumpsters Eastern Panhandle WV

One of the best ways to reduce waste is recycling.

There are a variety of materials that can be efficiently recycled to improve the economical and ecological outcomes of waste. 

Your industry will determine the recycled materials you produce, what can be recycled in-house, and what needs to be sent out for recycling. Lean in heavily to your company audit to identify areas where you can implement or improve your recycling practices. 

Donate or Sell Items

Keeping your business efficient means there are times when you need to de-clutter or replace old items.

But just because you can no longer use those items doesn’t mean that they won’t serve someone else well. 

Instead of throwing out your items, consider donating them to a local charity or thrift store or selling them online for some extra cash. This can be an especially useful way to reduce waste if you’re upgrading rather than replacing something that’s broken.

Dispose of Your Waste Ethically

Once you’ve reduced waste, there are ways to dispose of your remaining rubbish in an ethically and environmentally friendly way.

Panhandle Dumpsters offers weekly trash pick-up, bulk item pick-up twice a month, and roll-off dumpster rental services. 

Changing your business processes to reduce waste takes some time and effort, but it is worth it. Not only will you improve sustainability, but you’ll also save money. To get started, you can evaluate your current situation and work towards reducing waste one step at a time.

Searching For A New, Local, Residential Trash Pickup Provider In The Eastern Panhandle Of West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Maryland Or Virginia? We Should Talk!

If you’re looking for a well respected trash pickup or dumpster company to service your property the search is over! Panhandle Dumpsters is a family owned and operated business that services clients throughout the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia as well as the surrounding states of Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia. Please feel free to call us directly at  304.707.3913 and we will be happy to explain our affordable pricing plans. We take great pride in being 100% transparent with no hidden fees! We also offer a variety of discounts for senior citizens, first responders and military members. You may have never fallen in love with your garbage hauling company in the past, but we’re convinced you’ll fall in love with us!