Category Archives: Waste Management

Step by Step Guide to Hiring Trash Pickup Services

It can be a bother to get rid of large trash items on your own. However, thanks to the companies that offer the large trash pickup, Austin residents can avail of plenty of convenient options. You only need to make sure that you hire the right company for your particular requirements. How do you go about picking the right company, though?

Well, here’s a step by step guide that to hiring trash pickup services in Austin:

Find the right large trash pickup Austin-based company

You can get started by searching online for trash removal companies in Austin. Many trash removal companies have websites detailing their services and fees. So, you can easily compare different companies and shortlist the ones that fit both your requirements and your budget. It is also a good idea to ask your friends and acquaintances to recommend a reliable company that they have used or do use. In that case, going by their experience with the company, you will know what to expect when you hire them.

Inquire about their trash pickup services policies

If the trash removal company has provided its service policy on their website, read it from start to end. See if they have listed the trash items they accept and the ones that they don’t take. Most regular trash removal companies do not have the license or the expertise to handle hazardous items like paints, chemicals, and electronics. They will, therefore, refuse these, along with dead animals and medical waste. You will have to contact the city’s waste management services to remove that type of trash.

Ask if they do site clean-ups up the pickup

Some large trash pickup Austin, Houston or or nearby locations based companies offer free site clean-ups after they have finished loading the trash into their vehicle. They will leave your property looking in better shape than it was in before their arrival. It can save you the exertion of doing the clean-up yourself or the expense of hiring a third party to do it for you. Also, if you are thinking of selling your property, the clean-up will only enhance its value and make it look more appealing to prospective buyers. Please note, however, that all heavy trash pickup in Houston companies may not include the site clean-up as a free service and may charge a fee for the additional work. Ask them to clarify at the start if they will do the site clean-up for free or for a fee. Either way, it will be to your advantage.

Check that they have adequate manpower for the work

Most trash removal companies generally send a well-equipped, two-man crew for the trash removal.  As these men are capable, strong, and experienced, they will be able to handle the work. However, additional manpower may be necessary if you have tons of trash that you want to be removed in a short period. In that case, you should talk to the company representative and make suitable arrangements. It will, of course, cost you more.

Make sure they have large-sized vehicles to transport the trash

It is essential to have large-sized vans or trucks to transport items like refrigerators, washing machines, dryers, ovens, beds, cupboards, desks, and so on. If you have this kind of household trash or even construction debris and garden waste, ask the company beforehand if they can fit it all in their vehicle. It will bring the cost down that way as they will only need to make one trip from your property. If, on the other hand, they have small or medium-sized vehicles, it could take several trips to remove all the trash. That could only end up costing you more. So, this isn’t something you should overlook.

Ask how they mean to dispose of the trash

Generally, after their large trash pickup, Austin-based trash removal companies will sort the trash. They will then send the items that it is possible to repair and reuse to a donation center or a recycling facility. Other trash objects may be taken apart to recycle their parts. If it is not possible to do any of these things, the company will have to find other ways of getting rid of the trash without adversely affecting the environment.

What is the Most Environmentally Friendly Way to Dispose of Old Mattresses?

In Austin, mattress disposal is not a simple, straightforward matter. If you have old mattresses that you no longer want, the first step is getting them out of your home, and this can be a difficult task due to their bulk and size. It is especially so if you live on an upper floor in a multilevel apartment complex and must bring the mattresses down. That can turn into quite a workout for most people, and, if you happen to have a bad back, it is practically impossible.

Furthermore, Austin’s Recycle & Reuse Drop-off Center does not accept mattresses. And, as per the city ordinances, you cannot throw the mattresses into a trash bin or leave them on the curb in Austin any time you want. So, you will have to find a center that accepts them. As such centers generally expect mattress drop-offs, you have to deal with the issue of transportation next. If you only have a city car, you can’t usually fit mattresses into its backseat.

Removing them from your property isn’t the only issue, however. You need to dispose of the mattresses in an environmentally friendly way. Every year, millions of old mattresses end up in landfills across the United States, and, since the mattress materials decompose very slowly, they add to the growing problem of pollution in the country.

Fortunately, in Austin, mattress disposal alternatives do abound. Let’s look at some of the most environmentally friendly ways to dispose of old mattresses.

Use the Austin Reuse Directory

Many people want to get rid of old mattresses because they have purchased new ones and don’t have the space to keep the previous ones. There is nothing intrinsically wrong with these, apart from the fact that they are old and used. If your old mattresses are in reasonably good shape, there is a chance that someone can reuse them. So, instead of relegating them to the trash, you should consider donating or selling them. Many people cannot afford new mattresses, and they may be able to put your old ones to good use. With the Austin Reuse Directory, you can find charities and other places where you can sell or donate your old mattresses.

Give the Mattresses into the Bulk Item Collection

The Austin Resource Recovery department provides curbside bulk item collection twice per year. So, you should check your collection schedule on their website and put your mattresses out on the curb by 6:30 a.m. They will then collect them. Please note that, aside from these scheduled times, you cannot put the mattresses out on the curb at any other time.  If you do that, you will receive a dumping citation and even a fine. Also, make sure that you don’t place the mattresses near to any cars, trees, wires, and mailboxes.

Hire an Austin Mattress Disposal Service

One of the best options for mattress disposal San Antonio, Austin or nearby locations is hiring a junk removal company that accepts mattresses. The principal benefit of such companies is that they will pick them up from your property.  Just direct the company crew to where they are, and they will do the heavy lifting. Also, they will dispose of the mattresses in the way you want. Depending on their state, you can ask them to donate these to a charity center or take them to a recycling center. If neither option is possible, the mattress recycling Austin company may find other viable ways to dispose of the old mattresses. You can rest easy and relax.

Send the Mattress to a Local Landfill

If your mattresses have mold, are moth-eaten, are flea-ridden, or are otherwise ruined, it may not be possible to recycle, reuse, donate, or sell them. In that case, you can send them the local landfill. You will have to pay a fee for this. It should, however, be your very last option. As mentioned earlier, old mattresses already overburden the landfills.

For citizens in Austin, mattress disposal in an environmentally friendly way is no longer optional. The adverse impact that old mattresses have on the environment can affect all our lives ultimately. So, it is crucial that everyone behaves responsibly and does what is right for the entire Austin community.

Reasons for Approach Paint Disposal Services

If you have quantities of paints that you never intend to use, it might be a good idea to approach paint disposal services to remove them from your property. Aside from the fact that the unused paints could potentially be unsafe to keep around, you would have a difficult time disposing of them on your own. For one thing, you can’t pour paints pour down the drain or discard them in a trash bin. You would end up contaminating your environment if you did that. Also, regular trash removal services don’t accept paints for the very reason of their hazardous chemical content.

Only a company that is equipped to handle paints can undertake paint disposal services. Fortunately, there are several such companies in Austin.

Let’s look at the top reasons why you would want to approach them for paint disposal Austin, San Antonio, Houston, Dallas, or near by areas:

They will pick up the paints from your property

While Austin has a Recycle & Reuse Drop-Off Center, it is not possible for everyone to haul their heavy paint cans there. The more convenient option is to hire a waste management company for paint disposal in Austin. They will pick up the paints as they are from your place. Just make sure that the paints are in liquid form, in clearly labeled containers with tight lids, and in an easily accessible place.

You don’t have to pack the paints or even get them out from their storage areas. The company’s crew will do the necessary heavy lifting for removing the paint cans and transferring them into their van or truck for transport.

They accept a range of paint types

While this is true, it is necessary to note that all paint disposal services do not accept all kinds of paints. Some companies may only accept those that are in liquid forms such as alkyds, acrylics, enamels, latex, and varnishes. So, when you call the paint disposal services, ask them if they will take the ones that you have. Many companies do not take paints that are unidentifiable or are in open cans with no lids. Additionally, if you have any that are difficult or impossible to recycle, they won’t take them. These include art paints, road paints, shop application paints, industrial maintenance paints, aerosols, wood preservation paints, paint additives, paint solvents, and more. To dispose of these types, you will have to call the waste management hot-line in Austin.

At the onset, you should also inquire about the amount of paint the company will take. Some paint disposal services will only accept up to five gallons of paint per day. Others have a limit of 30 gallons per year. It is dependent on their capacity to process what they collect.

They will reuse or recycle paints

After removing the paints from your property, the company will either take them to a recycling facility or do the recycling themselves. If it is the latter, they will first sort the paints according to type and color. For recycling purposes, they will mix similar colors together and then subject them to several tests for quality assurance. After they are satisfied with the outcome, they will take the paints that make the grade and pack them into recycled or new paint cans. They will then make these paints available for sale to the public.

Generally, these recycled paints will be indistinguishable from brand-new ones. Along with being as easy to use, they will deliver almost the same results. Plus, they will have the added advantage of being comparatively inexpensive.

Their service fees are reasonable

The Houston paint disposal companies will charge you an upfront fee for the paint pickup. The amount may depend on the company policy and the work involved in getting the paints from your property. However, unless you have an extraordinary amount to get rid of, their service fees ought to be reasonable and affordable.

As you see, these are valid reasons to approach paint disposal services. Many types of paints require specialized handling, and you should not take any chances with them. Talk with several companies offering paint disposal in Austin and hire the one that best fits your needs. You will be glad you did.