Did you know an estimated 548 million tons of construction waste was generated in the U.S. in 2015 alone? And that number is expected to continue climbing steadily. To put this figure into perspective, that’s more than twice the amount of regular municipal waste produced in the country each year. This is according to a report from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which is in charge of measuring all construction waste.
A number of materials are accumulated during the construction process. This is especially true if you’re taking on a renovation, which can involve demolition. Common renovation waste can include:
- Concrete
- Wood products
- Ceramic and clay tiles
- Insulation
- Roofing shingles
- Plaster and drywall
Many cities, including Nashville, ban construction waste from their municipal garbage collection programs. This is why contractors rely on companies like VaVia to handle debris and other materials from their job sites. Whether you’re a construction professional or homeowner taking on a DIY task, here are some of the best ways to dispose of all that renovation waste.
1. Donate furniture and appliances
Many renovation projects involve clearing out unwanted furniture and appliances. But before tossing everything to the curb, consider donating these items instead. Habitat for Humanity, for example, offers free pick-up of large furniture items which the organization then sells back to the community. Proceeds from the sale are then used to build homes for those less fortunate.
If you’re undergoing a kitchen reno, used appliances can also be donated to local charity groups. The Salvation Army will buy your old appliances, including refrigerators and stoves. These appliances are cleaned and repaired, then offered to low-income families in the community.
2. See what can be recycled
There are many materials that can be easily recycled, as long as you remain diligent about setting aside recyclables:
- Wood can be grounded into chips and used to produce energy
- Scrap metal can be sold to scrap dealers
- Cardboard and paper-based goods can go to pulp mills
- Plastics can be included in your municipal recycling program
Unless you’re handling hazardous materials, chances are a lot of that renovation waste can be recycled effectively.
3. Hire a private waste removal service
There are many materials that your municipal garbage service will not accept. For example, hazardous goods produced from commercial activities must be handled professionally. In this case, it’s best to hire a private waste removal service to safely get rid of these materials. Whether you’re trying to offload demolition ammo or a few cans of latex paint, get in touch with several professionals in your area to find the most cost-effective option.
4. Rent a dumpster
This is probably one of the most convenient solutions when it comes to getting rid of renovation waste. From old hardwood floors to big chunks of drywall, a dumpster can accommodate a wide range of materials. VaVia is one of the most trusted providers of heavy-duty containers that are perfect for getting rid of construction debris. Our 10 and 15-yard dumpsters are small enough to fit tight spaces -- yet sturdy enough to handle whatever you throw at them.
Our team will drop off one of our driveway-friendly bins to your job site, and set it up in your requested location. The bins are easy to load, and at VaVia, our schedules are flexible. Whether you’re renting our dumpsters for a few days or a period of weeks, we are always ready to pick-up your container as soon as it’s filled to capacity.
During a renovation, it’s your responsibility to ensure all waste is disposed of safely. That said, VaVia can help make that process easy! All you need to do is toss your construction waste into one of our sturdy dumpsters, then let us take care of the rest. By allowing us to handle all your disposal needs, you’ll be able to focus on getting your project finished on time.
For more information on getting rid of renovation waste, call VaVia at 1-833-GO-VAVIA or contact us here.
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