Renovating a house can be exciting, although it can create a good amount of waste. With some planning, homeowners can keep their project site clean, organized and safe for what lies ahead in the project.
When to Plan Junk Removal
The plan for junk removal should begin with the renovation schedule. Both contractors and DIY homeowners can save time and money when the time to remove garbage is planned around a schedule and milestones.
- Before demo day: If possible, have containers or pickups scheduled to come in when the walls or fixtures are coming out. Booking a dumpster rental in advance helps avoid a messy pile of debris.
- Mid-project stopping point: Plan a purge after framing to open up walkways and improve safety concerning trip hazards. Click here to know more about trip hazard.
- Final junk out: After everything is done and punch list items are complete, plan to remove junk to clear out packaging, offcut materials and leftover fasteners and items.
- Pricey or sensitive items: Things like doors, tubs, and cabinets can take more time for removal; plan on additional time for something like that.
What to Expect During Demolition Cleanup
During demolition, expect to have debris such as heavy materials, sharp nails, or very fine dust that might travel through the home. Make sure to stage debris in a designated area or zone. Plan to protect the floors and make the route for the safety − keeping exit routes clear. Expect noisy loads with trucks and repeat trips to haul away heavy materials; just keep safety basics in mind for masks, gloves, and eye protection, if necessary.
If a renovation engages small work crews, same-day junk removal services could also be helpful to keep a project moving along as junk piles develop. A number of providers also offer debris hauling which includes sweep-up service so the next trade can start when they said they would.
How to Safely Dispose of Construction Junk
Renovation waste is not one-size-fits-all and a little sorting up front can help you avoid costly contamination fees and speed up job-site debris removal. If possible, use eco-friendly disposal options that allow for reuse and recycling instead of going to the landfill.
- Clean wood and lumber – Should be stacked separately. Tons of processing facilities will accept it for mulch or energy recovery.
- Drywall and gypsum – Keep it dry- it is a messy commodity to remove and recycle if it crumbles. Many centers will recycle to reconstitute gypsum into soil amendments.
- Concrete, Brick, and Tile – Heavy but a valuable resource. Load it in smaller more manageable, and sturdy containers.
- Metals – Just set them aside and take to the manufactured near you for scrap metal- copper, aluminum, and steel can add up.
- Packaging/Plastics – Break down cardboard and bag plastic film so they do not blow around the job site.
Have several labeled containers nearby the work area- encourage the team to sort and it will keep hallways clear.
Should You Rent a Dumpster or Haul It?
The right option often depends on volume, access, and the urgency of time. The roll-off bin can sit on-site for the duration, which is convenient for consistent debris. Hauling for short bursts in a pickup or trailer can make sense if there is no way to place a dumpster or if demolition debris is light and there are road restrictions that prevent, or just don’t allow convenience, such as narrow alleys, etc. Additionally, upcoming costs will vary by region and weight and if a dump truck is dropped off a flat fee with a tonnage cap or a scrap yard charge on a per load or cubic yard rate.
All of the above must also be considered for driveway protection, city permits, neighbors, etc… If not much of a crew, and every minute matters, sometimes it makes more sense to have a service come and pick everything up even if it may cost little more than having to load every piece and go make dump runs.
What Junk Is Considered Hazardous?
Some renovation debris you must dispose of properly and never mix with your regular load. Also always check for your city and county’s rules, but typical items have these in restrictions–>
- Paints, Solvents, and gluing products – can be flammable and toxic, these should be kept in sealed containers to turn in on collection day for specifically hazardous waste.
- Lead Based Paint Debris – homes built before-1978; needs to be contained and disposed of to prevent contamination.
- Asbestos- containing materials – old insulation or siding, tile mastic. Remember only licensed professionals can handle this waste.
- Batteries and Electronics – laptops, power-tools packs, and TVs all contain different types of heavy metals. Make sure you resource where you can take to e-waste disposal.
- Fluorescent bulbs & ballasts – often would contain reasonable amounts of mercury or PCBs (https://www.epa.gov/pcbs/learn-about-polychlorinated-biphenyls) that can also be disposed of in controlled recycling.
- Refrigerants and appliances – refrigerators and air conditioning unit must be certified that the refrigerant is recovered before the appliance can be recycled.
If in doubt, check with your local household hazardous waste program, they should have clear instructions for most areas. Properly handling this debris and waste protects the workers, neighbors, and the environment likewise keeps your project on-schedule.