Labor Day marks the end of a busy summer and the long weekend makes it the perfect time to declutter your home and garage.
\r\n\r\nClutter has a way of collecting over a summer full of family gatherings and vacations, so we've put together a quick list of projects to tackle before the school year starts and the holidays sneak up on you.
\r\n\r\nIf your home has collected a significant amount of clutter over the summer, break down your cleaning project into smaller sections that are easier to manage.
\r\n\r\nFocusing on one room at a time can help you avoid feeling overwhelmed and can make it easier to stay motivated.
\r\n\r\nIf you're working on organizing one room that is particularly bombarded with clutter, break the room into sections to make it a more manageable project.
\r\n\r\nRead more:
\r\n\r\n![\"Rent](\"/static/a5b14e3e8ce94f028ec8ffc83ad81b81/messy-cluttered-garage.jpg.png\" "\\"messy")
\r\nLabor Day weekend is the perfect time to start putting away all the summer items taking up space in your garage, like sprinklers and golf clubs.
\r\n\r\nKeeping these items stored in your garage year-round is great if you have the space, but be sure to move them to the back of your storage area to make room for items you'll use frequently in the fall and winter.
\r\n\r\nMaking space for the items you use in the winter will make life much easier in the event that you're hit with frigid weather earlier than expected.
\r\n\r\nIf you live in a colder climate, it's not a bad idea to test out your winter equipment to make sure they're working properly.
\r\n\r\nIt's more convenient to fix a broken-down snow blower when it's still warm outside rather than waiting until the first snowfall.
\r\n\r\nLearn more:
\r\n\r\nFall is a great time to aerate and/or over-seed your lawn.
\r\n\r\nWhen the weather permits it, clean up clutter in your yard like leaves, sticks, and other debris littering the lawn.
\r\n\r\nHaving a clean yard will help give your home a fresh look and curb appeal.
\r\n\r\nContinue reading:
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n![\"Rent](\"/static/216b8fdd73b22cecf82755a41aceee8a/reputable-dumpster-company.png\")
\r\nIf you know you’ll need a dumpster rental to help in the decluttering process, make sure to plan ahead of time to ensure the providers in your area will have the availability you need.
\r\n\r\nWaiting until the last minute is never a good idea when it comes to renting a dumpster, especially when you need it during a holiday weekend.
\r\n\r\nOne of the best ways to get the best price on a dumpster rental is to rent from a locally-owned company.
\r\n\r\nHometown makes it easy to find reputable and afforable dumpster rental providers in your area.
\r\n\r\nRequesting quotes is easy and always free.
\r\n\r\nWe recommend getting quotes from 2-3 differnet companies to get the best deal.
\r\n\r\nLearn more:
\r\n\r\nLabor Day weekend is a great time to clean out your home. Learn which areas of the home are best to tackle before the holidays and how to do it.
\r\n","changed":"2021-10-14T12:06:04+00:00"},"populars":[{"id":"fedbbb1a-25e6-5648-bd45-d4b1673dfc27","title":"Recycling 101: Learn How to Recycle More and Throw Out Less","url":"/blog/recycling-101","image":{"path":"/static/88d81750393061cdc158c855f759fbe6/recycling-in-america_0.jpg","alt":"bag of trash and recyclables"},"video":null,"media_type":"image","tags":[{"id":"61ca817b-0498-5abf-bbe7-cdf5935242bc","name":"Junk Removal","slug":"Junk-Removal"},{"id":"39c3533a-c46f-509b-8fcc-19e935627151","name":"Recycling","slug":"Recycling"},{"id":"d7a82c6b-3d3b-5d72-ba59-4bdd492bf55f","name":"Cardboard Recycling","slug":"Cardboard-Recycling"},{"id":"ed797128-86b6-5592-953b-f6cbae7dd3e2","name":"Paper Recycling","slug":"Paper-Recycling"},{"id":"51c3fa1e-5e47-57dd-903e-10a9699d3a72","name":"Plastic Recycling","slug":"Plastic-Recycling"},{"id":"49c52146-4c5a-5ad3-a556-f14363834202","name":"Scrap Metal Recycling","slug":"Scrap-Metal-Recycling"}],"content":"Reports show that approximately $11.4 billion worth of recyclables enter U.S. landfills every year.
\r\n\r\nWhile there are no national mandates requiring individuals to recycle, the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) announced in November 2020 its ambitious plan to increase American recycling efforts to 50% by 2030.
\r\n\r\nThe news release quotes EPA Office of Land and Emergency Management assistant administrator Peter Wright as saying, \"Without national leadership on this issue, recycling has lingered in the low 30% range for the last twenty years. The economic and environmental benefits from recycling are clear, and we’ve made a lot of progress, but much more needs to be done to obtain the benefits of increasing the national recycling rate to 50 percent by 2030.\"
\r\n\r\nWith countries like Germany, South Korea, Sweden, Austria, and Switzerland recycling municipal waste above the 50% mark, it's natural to wonder how places like the United States and Canada have failed to keep up.
\r\n\r\n![\"Recyclable](\"/static/79a9b2badd87ae922860954ee4b818c7/recyclable-materials-info.jpg\")
\r\nAll of the high-volume recycling countries have something in common that is driving these positive numbers: legislation.
\r\n\r\nThe success of recycling efforts in other countries can be credited to government policies that encourage it.
\r\n\r\nAs the numbers have shown, good funding and financial incentives encourage local and municipal authorities to find solutions to achieve their recycling performance targets. In 2018 alone, an estimated 139 million TONS of recyclable material was sent to U.S. landfills.
\r\n\r\nOnly one type of recyclable material is recycled in America more than it is thrown out, and that's paper and paperboard. Even then, there are still millions of tons of paper entering our landfill system.
\r\n\r\nAmericans do the worst job at recycling plastic, which is arguably the most important material to recycle. Almost every type of plastic is made from planet-warming fuels like gas, oil, and even sometimes coal. Breaking down plastic can take hundreds, even thousands, of years, which is why recycling is so important.
\r\n\r\nTo top it off, plastic doesn't just affect the environment, it seeps its way into every aspect of the food chain, from tiny plankton to the fish we eat, causing exposure to toxins for plants, animals, and humans.
\r\n\r\nIf the health aspect isn't reason enough to consider changing your waste disposal methods, let's take a look at the financial benefits.
\r\n\r\nAn article published in the L.A. Times takes a look at the problem from an energy standpoint. It states the U.S. could save about $12 billion per year in energy costs by increasing the national recycling rate.
\r\n\r\nThis is due to the fact that it requires less energy to recycle materials into new products than it does to make new products from virgin materials.
\r\n\r\nWith all of this information at our fingertips, it's hard to understand why efforts to increase our national recycling hasn't been more successful.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nAn estimated 74% of Americans have access to curbside recycling, with more rural areas having less access.
\r\n
More and more large companies have made the switch to recycled packaging to help curb their carbon footprint. While positive change can take time, the world doesn't have time to wait.
\r\n\r\nSome of these statistics are alarming, but it’s important to point out what’s being done at municipal landfills across the country to alleviate part of the problem. Modern landfills utilize new technology to sort and remove recyclables from the municipal waste stream.
\r\n\r\nAdditionally, the EPA states there are a total of 86 landfills in the U.S. utilizing waste-to-energy technology to turn trash into energy by burning waste.
\r\n\r\nThe resulting smoke is filtered to ensure it doesn’t harm the environment, and the resulting ash is hauled off to the landfill.
\r\n\r\nThe trash incineration process not only produces 2,720 megawatts of power nationwide each year, but it significantly reduces the amount of waste entering landfills.
\r\n\r\nThat said, recycling efforts in the U.S. can certainly be improved. This is not an issue that the government or big business is solely responsible for; it starts with individuals.
\r\n\r\nThe average American produces more than 4.5 lbs of trash per day, 80% of which is recyclable.
\r\n\r\nAs individuals, we can help improve the state of recycling in the U.S. one empty can at a time.
\r\n\r\nLearn more:
\r\n\r\n![\"person](\"/static/6a900145c64c06242069b823d16d6396/plastic-bottle.jpg\")
\r\nAs individuals, there are plenty of ways to help your community's recycling efforts.
\r\n\r\nSeparating your trash is the most common and easiest way to minimize your carbon footprint.
\r\n\r\nIf you're lucky enough to live in an area that offers curbside recycling, the process is similar to taking out your trash.
\r\n\r\nYour recyclable trash, separate and free from all food waste, can be gathered in your recycling bin and taken out to the curb on your area's scheduled collection days.
\r\n\r\nSome states, like Michigan, Hawaii, Iowa, and California, have programs in place where consumers are charged a small deposit fee per plastic bottle or aluminum can purchased, and they'll get that deposit fee back only if they return these cans and bottles for recycling.
\r\n\r\nIf you live in an area that doesn't offer curbside recycling or a soda can/bottle buy back program, your recycling efforts might be more involved but certainly not impossible.
\r\n\r\nYou can search online for recycling centers that accept outside recyclables. Earth 9-1-1 is a website that makes finding recycling resources in your area just a click away.
\r\n\r\nAdditionally, composting your food and yard waste is a great way to minimize your impact on the environment.
\r\n\r\nOrganic waste is biodegradable and comes from either a plant or animal. Any food or yard waste falls into this category and will decompose naturally in oxygen-rich conditions.
\r\n\r\nThis process is called composting and the result of composting produces humus which is full of nutrients that can then be used to fertilize other growing plants.
\r\n\r\nComposting not only minimizes one's environmental impact but is a great way to maintain your small (or large!) home garden.
\r\n\r\n![\"junk](\"/static/40e2651939ffc8957a311658ba0c36a8/recyc-junk_2.jpg\")
\r\nWith more and more junk removal companies making a commitment to recycle as much waste as possible, it's never been easier to find an earth-friendly junk removal company.
\r\n\r\nMany junk removal service providers commit to recycling 60-70% of all waste they remove on their customers' behalf.
\r\n\r\nHometown makes it easy to find service providers in your area that will be able to explain their disposal process in detail at your request.
\r\n\r\nSome junk removal companies will even provide you with a receipt for your items that they donate which allows you write off the amount donated on your taxes.
\r\n\r\nFor people who go the DIY route and rent a dumpster to throw out their junk on their own, clean loading a dumpster is also a great way to make recycling easier.
\r\n\r\nClean loading a dumpster simply means that you load a dumpster with the same type of recyclable material.
\r\n\r\nFor demolition or home improvement projects, you might be able to clean load your dumpster with only asphalt or only wood. This allows for an easy dump at a recycling center rather than mixing in other waste, like food or textiles, in with your clean loaded dumpster.
\r\n\r\nRecycling in today's world is much easier than it was in the past and with experienced disposal services available to guide you with local resources, there's no reason to be intimidated at the process.
\r\n\r\nQuickly find licensed, insured, and locally-owned junk removal and dumpster rental companies in your area by searching your zip code on Hometown.
\r\n\r\nWith our single quote request form, you'll be able to request free quotes from multiple providers with ease, all in a matter of minutes.
\r\n\r\nKeep reading:
\r\n\r\nWhile there are no national mandates requiring individuals to recycle, the EPA announced in November 2020 its ambitious plan to increase American recycling efforts to 50% by 2030.
\r\n","changed":"2024-01-09T17:47:41+00:00"},{"id":"519038db-3cbf-559a-9865-7934c8c8043d","title":"What's the Smallest Dumpster You Can Rent?","url":"/blog/whats-the-smallest-dumpster-you-can-rent","image":{"path":"/static/ceb3fd166586c53407f82ac9db9c60a8/small-dumpster.jpg","alt":"dumpster in road full of demo debris "},"video":null,"media_type":"image","tags":[{"id":"02a42cee-60f9-5dfd-858c-22ec36b1ce1e","name":"Dumpster Rental","slug":"Dumpster-Rental"},{"id":"a48cf031-6eb2-5dea-8164-b0d5f901dcdf","name":"10 Yard Dumpster","slug":"10-Yard-Dumpster"},{"id":"40ae078a-9785-56b7-a7d2-5bfbbe618c9e","name":"Trailer Dumpsters","slug":"Trailer-Dumpsters"}],"content":"Some projects don't require or simply cannot accommodate a typical size dumpster rental, which is why smaller \"mini\" dumpsters are the perfect solution.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nThe most common roll-off dumpster size is 10 yards, but the smallest dumpster sizes range from 2 yards to 9 yards and come in a variety of different designs.
\r\n
![\"Mini](\"/static/d0c6f8d5b352a357a669155e5083903a/2dump.png\")
\r\nThe most common size roll-off dumpster is a 10 yard dumpster and is often times the smallest dumpster that waste companies carry.
\r\n\r\nThat said, more and more disposal companies are offering even smaller roll-off dumpsters to accommodate homeowners and business owners in large cities with small lots and tight spacing requirements.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nDumpsters that are smaller than 10 yards are often referred to as mini dumpsters and come in 2 yard to 9 yard sizes.
\r\n
Similar to regular size roll-off dumpsters, mini roll-off dumpsters feature an open top for easy loading.
\r\n\r\nMini dumpsters are heavy and are transported, unloaded, and loaded by specialty delivery trucks, just like other roll-off dumpsters.
\r\n\r\nMini dumpsters are a great choice for handling a wide range of cleanups:
\r\n\r\nLearn more: How to Find a Temporary Dumpster Rental Near You
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n![\"Man](\"/static/a8a6d7c32d0513c58fb286f8174448bd/2trail.png\")
\r\nRubber-wheeled trailer dumpsters offer unique advantages to roll-off dumpsters.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nBeing on tires rather than steel feet, trailer dumpsters offer great protection against damage to driveways, sidewalks, or yards.
\r\n
They can also be maneuvered into difficult areas and are more easily adjusted to various loading locations if that is necessary.
\r\n\r\nTrailer dumpster sizes vary but often fall in the 6 to 12 yard range, but some waste hauling companies carry even larger sizes.
\r\n\r\nSome have short sides while others have tall sides, so be sure to inquire about that if it's an important detail for your waste disposal project.
\r\n\r\nKeep reading:
\r\n\r\n![\"Two](\"/static/3a95959293a34bd5e1262592caf0cddd/1commercial.png\")
\r\nTraditionally, commercial dumpsters are rented by businesses that have an ongoing contract for weekly or biweekly trash pickup services.
\r\n\r\nIn these cases, the dumpster has a permanent place outside of the business.
\r\n\r\nCommercial dumpsters come in a wide variety of sizes, starting at 2 yards and upwards of 10 to 40 yards for large establishments that product large amounts of trash daily.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nAs large cities throughout the U.S. see a surge in new home and office builds with tighter spacing, more and more dumpster companies are now offering their commercial dumpsters for temporary rent to property owners.
\r\n
Choosing a small dumpster that is 8 yards or less is a great solution if you're in need of a dumpster rental that can fit in a tight space.
\r\n\r\nLearn more about commercial dumpsters:
\r\n\r\n![\"full](\"/static/d766c8bb2d15be9f75d2df3ef93352aa/1bagster.png\")
\r\nBag dumpsters are essentially large, heavy-duty garbage bags with 2 to 5 yard capacities.
\r\n\r\nThe most popular option is a Bagster, which is a Waste Management product available for purchase online or at local home improvement stores.
\r\n\r\nBagsters are compact, soft dumpsters are constructed of a tarp-like material that is strong enough to hold around 3,000 lbs of waste or debris with a 3 yard loading capacity.
\r\n\r\nDue to their small size, they are not ideal for bulky items, such as furniture, bathtubs, kitchen cabinets, etc.
\r\n\r\nIt may seem like a “dumpster” you can purchase from Amazon or Home Depot is a convenient option, but it’s usually not when you consider all the details.
\r\n\r\nThe initial price of a Bagster bag ranges from $25-$75, but then you have to pay for pickup and disposal.
\r\n\r\nOnce the bag is loaded up and full, you must then contact Waste Management to have them pick it up.
\r\n\r\nThe price of this pickup will vary based on your location but can range anywhere from $100-$350.
\r\n\r\nWhen compared to a 10 yard roll-off dumpster with 3x the amount of space, Bagsters don't usually provide the disposal value that local dumpster rentals can.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nWhether you're interested in renting a roll-off, trailer, commercial, or bag dumpster, renting from locally-owned and operated companies most often provide the best pricing and customer service when compared to national waste management companies.
\r\n
Finding local dumpster rentals near you is easy with Hometown.
\r\n\r\nWe publish licensed and insured disposal companies and make it easy for users to request completely free dumpster rental estimates to make sure they're getting the pricing and availability they're looking for.
\r\n\r\nLearn more:
\r\n\r\nThe most common dumpster rentals come in 10, 20, 30, and 40 yard capacities, but there are smaller \"mini\" dumpsters available for rent on the market. Learn about the different types of mini dumpsters and how to find the smallest dumpster in your area with Hometown.
\r\n","changed":"2022-12-06T22:29:17+00:00"},{"id":"8ded3b00-404c-5e44-8a67-69e83e9456d4","title":"How Junk Removal Companies Protect Your Home from Damage","url":"/blog/how-junk-removal-companies-protect-your-home-from-damage","image":{"path":"/static/5842fc7bad6d9e479b91ca0b21c204a9/protection.png","alt":"Junk removal crew moving furniture down flight of stairs with moving pads"},"video":null,"media_type":"image","tags":[{"id":"61ca817b-0498-5abf-bbe7-cdf5935242bc","name":"Junk Removal","slug":"Junk-Removal"}],"content":"Whenever you hire a crew of workers that come into your home, it's understandable to worry about the condition they'll leave your property in.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nWhen it comes to junk removal services, they should always leave your home in better condition than it was found.
\r\n
We'll go over common measures junk removal companies take to protect all areas of your home.
\r\n\r\n![\"How](\"/static/1373c03882f5e614f1c0775c51632f4c/protect-home-from-damage-info_0.png\")
\r\n\r\n\r\nWhen a junk removal crew has to take several trips in and out of your home, they may choose to wear shoe coverings or bring neoprene floor runners to protect your floors from any dirt or debris being tracked in from outside.
\r\n\r\nFloor runners tend to be the preferred method of protecting floors for junk removal and moving companies.
\r\n\r\nThe thin roll of synthetic fibers and rubber is used to create a path from your junk to the exit so that they can walk, move furniture, or roll dollies throughout your house without disrupting the cleanliness of your floor or marking it up.
\r\n\r\nWhen a lot of junk is removed from hard floors, the junk removal crew will sweep away any remaining dust, dirt, or debris and leave you with a completely decluttered area.
\r\n\r\nWhen appropriate, stairs are protected in a similar manner to regular floors.
\r\n\r\nHardwood stairs are often covered with a thin floor runner that is taped down to ensure it doesn't create a tripping hazard.
\r\n\r\nCarpeted stairs are covered with carpet mask, which is a clear, self-adhesive film that is used only on synthetic fiber.
\r\n\r\nCarpet mask is essentially a plastic wrap for carpet and does an excellent job of protecting your carpeted floors or stairs from stains.
\r\n\r\nStair bannisters and railings can be protected with bannister protectors, furniture pads, and even pool noodles.
\r\n\r\nBannister protectors are crafted specifically to fit the shape of a bannister, while furniture pads are larger and are just draped over the railings and taped down to prevent them from sliding off.
\r\n\r\nSome companies get creative and cut pool noodles to easily slide over bannisters to protect them from getting damaged while bulky or heavy items are being carried down the stairs.
\r\n\r\nDoorways can be protected in a similar fashion to bannisters and railings, with either furniture pads or specially designed protectors made for doorways.
\r\n\r\nDoor jamb protectors are typically held in pace with spring clamps that hold them in place, while furniture pads are usually taped in place.
\r\n\r\nCardboard can also be used with tape to prevent any nicks or dents from furniture or dollies passing through the doorway.
\r\n\r\nIf you're concerned about whether or not these measures will be taken, make sure to ask the junk removal companies you speak with how they can protect the areas in your home that you're worried about.
\r\n\r\nWe recommend reaching out to at least 2-3 different providers to compare pricing and customer service, and to ensure that they provide the availability and protection that your project requires.
\r\n\r\nGetting multiple junk removal quotes is fast and easy with Hometown.
\r\n\r\nBy filling out a quote request form on Hometown, you'll be able to send your junk removal quote request to several locally-owned companies in your area, helping you make the best choice for your particular needs.
\r\n\r\nKeep reading:
\r\n\r\nHiring workers that come into your home can be nerve-wracking, especially if you're worried about potential damage. Learn more about how junk removal companies can protect different areas of your home, like your floors, stairs, doorways, and more.
\r\n","changed":"2022-09-29T12:43:05+00:00"}],"code":"dumpster","env":{"domain":"https://www.hometowndumpsterrental.com","site":"dumpster","service":"https://api.bookable.com","build":"blogPages"}}}, "staticQueryHashes": []}