When it comes to waste disposal, most people are aware of the basics: food scraps go in the compost, paper and plastic go into recycling, and everything else goes into the trash. However, there are a few surprising items that can actually be thrown in a dumpster without causing harm to the environment or violating local laws. Here are six such items.
Firstly, furniture is one item that can surprisingly be thrown into dumpsters. While it may seem like a waste to throw away something as large and sturdy as a piece of furniture, sometimes it’s necessary when moving or renovating. Most dumpsters can handle couches, tables, chairs and other household furnishings.
Secondly, appliances like stoves and refrigerators can also be disposed of in dumpsters. These bulky items often need special handling due to their size and weight but many waste management companies have made provisions for them in their large roll-off dumpsters.
Thirdly, yard waste is another category of debris you might not expect could go into a dumpster but indeed it can. Grass clippings, branches from pruning trees or shrubs, leaves from raking – all these organic materials are acceptable for dumpster disposal.
Fourth on our list is construction debris which includes materials see additional resources like concrete chunks from demolition projects or wood scraps from building efforts. It’s important though to ensure any hazardous substances like lead-based paint chips aren’t mixed with this type of waste.
Fifthly we have electronics which some may find surprising because e-waste often requires specialized recycling processes due to its potentially harmful components such as heavy metals found in batteries or cathode ray tubes found in older televisions and computer monitors. However certain types of electronics including desktop computers laptops printers fax machines keyboards mice etc., can safely be discarded through typical dumpster services provided they’ve been properly stripped down first by trained professionals who know how to handle these kinds of devices responsibly.
Lastly roofing material is another unexpected item you’re allowed throw inside your dumpster. Asphalt shingles, metal roofing and other common types of roofing materials are generally accepted in dumpsters.
However, it’s important to note that while these items can be thrown into a dumpster, they must still be disposed of responsibly. This means ensuring that the dumpster is rented from a reputable company that follows all local regulations for waste disposal. Additionally, some items may require special preparation before being discarded – for example, refrigerators and freezers should have their doors removed to prevent accidents.
In conclusion, while there are many things you cannot throw into a dumpster such as hazardous waste or certain electronics, there are also many surprising items that you can. Always check with your local waste management authority or rental company to ensure you’re disposing of your trash correctly.