Home Improvement Projects Can Create Hazardous Waste. Seriously!

 You may not think your new home improvement project is going to produce hazardous waste. But the truth is your construction debris contains more than you know.

DIY home improvement projects are not known for using materials that are considered "hazardous." But the truth is that many of the common construction materials you work with when remodeling have potentially dangerous components in them. This is especially true for the liquids, adhesives, paints and other chemical-based products involved.

When your cut-offs, scrap pieces and other debris from these materials have to be hauled off and disposed of, that's when they then become "hazardous waste"

Your DIY Project Waste Material Might be Hazardous

No one wants to think they are dealing with toxic waste! And most of us take efforts to avoid buying or using products or materials we think might be toxic or hazardous when possible. And, as a conscientious homeowner, you likely will do your best 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 and it is not all hazardous. However, when it comes to your DIY renovation or building project waste removal chore,  hazardous materials have to be taken into consideration. Some substances and materials are more easily recognized as being hazardous, but you might be surprised at what else is considered hazardous.

The fact is that much of the debris from construction and demolition projects contain dangerous wastes. And local, state, and federal rules require this to be properly managed and disposed of. In addition to the waste from the actual building materials, other debris produced during your DIY 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.

Common Construction Waste Materials That Are Considered Hazardous

The following list represents most of the more common materials that show up in various building projects. It is not a complete or exhaustive list and it is a good idea to check the content and ingredients of everything you use in your project.

Some of these items are considered what is known as  “Universal Waste” by the state of California. This essentially 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

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.

You Have Options for Removing Your DIY Construction Debris

As a DIY homeowner, you like doing things yourself. But that doesn't have to apply to hauling and disposing of your project debris. Why have to deal with the messy, difficult, and sometimes dangerous task of DIY construction debris removal if you have other options?

So, what are your options? You can:

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 simply make the call, and 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.

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.