Residential DIY Projects And Hazardous Waste Disposal

Although your project waste disposal task may not be all that hazardous, sometimes the stuff in that garbage may well be!

Construction projects are notorious for the materials used that are considered "hazardous materials." And when the cut-offs, scrap pieces and debris from these materials have to be hauled off and disposed of, that's when they then become "hazardous waste"

The "Hazards" of DIY Project Waste Disposal

As a conscientious homeowner you want to minimize the presence of any hazardous materials or products on your project, but they cannot be completely avoided. 

All construction waste is not the same. When it comes to waste removal, especially from a DIY renovation or building project, hazardous material has to be taken into consideration. And, while some substances and materials are more easily recognized as being hazardous, you might be surprised at what else is considered hazardous.

The fact is that waste from construction and demolition often contains dangerous wastes. And local, state, and federal rules require this to be properly managed and disposed of. In addition to building material waste, other debris generated during a building project can include treated wood, paint and solvent wastes, glues and roofing tars, and a variety of other materials.

And all of this material, hazardous and otherwise, has to be removed, handled and disposed of properly and legally.

All construction projects commonly produce a wide variety of waste materials that must be removed and disposed of in accordance with hazardous waste disposal rules. And the list of common construction waste listed as hazardous wastes is quite long.

Common Construction Waste That is Considered Hazardous

The following list is not exhaustive, but it does represent most of the more common materials that show up in various building projects.

Some of these items are considered “Universal Waste” by the state of California. This means they are materials that can be handled and disposed of in a manner that differs from most other hazardous waste materials. Here is a short list of the more common ones.

• Aerosol cans
• Asbestos-containing materials
• Empty containers or drums
• Lead-containing materials
• Mercury-containing light bulbs and lamps
• Mercury-containing switches and relays
• PCB-containing light ballasts
• Oil-based paint
• Sludge from various solvents
• Paint thinner
• Shop towels and rags contaminated with hazardous waste
• Sanding dust
• Treated wood

In addition, certain conditions apply that may further exempt a company from the Universal Waste regulations, as well. According to the California Department of Toxic Substances Control:

“A Conditionally Exempt Small Quantity Universal Waste Generator (CESQUWG) is a universal waste generator who produces less than 100 kilograms (220 pounds) of RCRA hazardous waste, including universal waste that is RCRA universal waste and less than 1 kilogram of acutely hazardous waste in a calendar month. (RCRA hazardous waste is hazardous waste that is regulated under the hazardous waste regulations adopted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.)”

What is most important is to remember that all construction waste and other types of industrial wastes should be treated as potentially containing hazardous wastes.

Options for DIY Construction Debris Removal

As a DIY enthusiast, you love taking care of things yourself. But why bother with the messy, difficult, and sometimes dangerous task of DIY construction debris removal?

You have three options to clear the waste:

• Haul it yourself - This is the most labor-intensive option. You’ll need to fill up your own vehicle with trash and drive around town to various dumps and recycling centers. You might save a buck... unless you damage the vehicle or end up needing medical attention for an injury.
• Put a dumpster on your property - This requires you to lift and carry the junk yourself, and you have to know the size and amount of debris before you begin. You probably need a special permit, too. Not a great DIY construction debris removal option for many locations because the dumpster can damage your property or the street.
• Call Junk King for professional junk removal - You make the call, we show up with the workforce and equipment to take care of everything. Point the way — you don’t need to carry debris to the curb or take it anywhere — and we’ll haul it away and recycle everything we can.

Why Junk King Is Your the Best Solution for Construction Waste

When you bring in the professionals to handle your DIY construction debris removal, you can focus on the fun and rewarding aspects of renovating your home. You love rolling up your sleeves and getting work done, but let’s be honest — hauling heavy useless junk is not fun.

Our service also lets you get the job done faster, since you don’t need to haul trash to a dumpster or spend hours driving around. As you deconstruct, open up materials, and create a bit of waste throughout the project, just kick everything to the side and we’ll come haul it away.

Junk King also offers your greenest solution for DIY construction debris removal. We recycle wood, metal, plastic and other materials with extreme efficiency. And because we pool resources and distribute junk to waste facilities efficiently, there’s less fuel burned than by individual homeowners driving around to dump sites.

Concerned about your project costs? Junk hauling can actually save you money, too. You pay us one flat fee based on the volume of trash. Save the money you would have spent on special construction waste trash bags, dumpsters, and gasoline. And save the precious cost of your free time!

The best reason to choose Junk King for your DIY construction debris removal, though, is simply how easy it is. Make an appointment and you’re done!

Schedule Junk Removal For Your Next DIY Project

Make the call to Junk King to schedule an appointment that works best for your schedule. If your project is creating large amounts of trash that get in the way, you can schedule a pickup midway through the project and again at the end. Or just wait until you’ve hammered the last nail — and we’ll show up on-time and ready to haul everything.

When you need DIY construction debris removal, remember Junk King — your easiest, fastest, simplest solution!

If you have limited resources for hauling and disposal, it makes far more sense to outsource that job. And it makes sense to give the job to qualified firms equipped and knowledgeable for handling and disposing of hazardous waste. And even if you have the vehicles and the manpower, it can be far more advantageous to contract this type of work to waste hauling firms that are specialists.

Do you have a current or upcoming project that will need clean-up and removal? If so, call Junk King! Our team specializes in construction waste removal. We can be at your facility in mere minutes, so call us today! Our crew is fully insured and well-trained, so you can trust them to get rid of your unwanted items in a professional and courteous fashion.

One of the best things about hiring Junk King is that we recycle a much of the material we pick-up. This is proof of our commitment to being an eco-friendly removal service. If you have questions about what we do or what we believe, give us a call at (707) 744-4254.