Construction Garbage Removal: Is It Hazardous?

Actually, the work of construction garbage removal may not be all that hazardous. But the stuff in that garbage may well be! Construction sites are notorious for the amounts of material used that are considered "hazardous materials." And when the cut-ffs, scrap pieces and debris from these materials have to be hauled off and disposed of, they then become "hazardous waste" And that's when it becomes a whole new garbage removal ballgame!

The "Hazards" of Construction Garbage Removal

Every conscientious contractor works hard to minimize the presence of any hazardous materials or products on their sites, but they cannot be completely avoided. All construction waste is not the same. When it comes to garbage removal, especially from construction sites, 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 the demolition of existing buildings often contains dangerous wastes. And local, state, and federal rules require this to be properly managed and disposed of. In addition to demolition waste, other debris generated during new building construction 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.

Construction Garbage Removal and Professional Firms

Even businesses not engaged in regular construction or demolition can generate hazardous waste. Regardless of the source, this is not the kind of junk you can just toss into the waste can or commercial dumpster. And hauling it yourself can present of a number of problems. Fortunately, there are professional firms such as Junk King that can make this task simple and efficient for your business.

Construction firms 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 and Demolition 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 business operations and on construction sites.

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 importat is to remember that all construction waste and other industrial wastes should be treated as potentially containing hazardous wastes.

When it’s Time to Outsource Your Hazardous Construction Garbage Removal

If you are a small business with 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 are a large construction company with plenty of vehicles and 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.