Many people who have never rented a dumpster before think that it's expensive and intimidating to do so.
\r\n\r\nIn fact, renting a dumpster isn't an expensive or stressful task.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nRenting a dumpster is one of the most cost-efficient ways to get rid of large amounts of trash and debris at once.
\r\n
![\"How](\"/sites/default/files/inline-images/avoid-overpaying-info_2.png\")
\r\nLocal rental companies don't have to navigate transferring their dumpster inventory from one city/state to another in order to serve their clients, which isn't always the case with large dumpster chains.
\r\n\r\nDue to lower overhead fees, local dumpster rental companies tend to charge less for their services than national disposal chains, like Waste Management.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nLarge chains tend to focus on weekly residential trash pickup services, while local dumpster companies specialize in renting temporary residential containers.
\r\n
The average cost to rent a 20 yard dumpster in the U.S. from a local provider is $350-$550, while the same size dumpster typically averages around $100 more in the same area from national chains.
\r\n\r\nBy searching your zip code on Hometown, you'll be shown a list of local dumpster services that are reputable, licensed, and insured.
\r\n\r\nLearn more: Why You Should Rent from a Locally-Owned Dumpster Company
\r\n\r\nAs is true for any service, hiring the first company you speak with could be a costly mistake.
\r\n\r\nCompare at least two or more dumpster rental quotes to get a good idea of what a fair price is in your area.
\r\n\r\nGetting multiple quotes not only ensures you don't overpay for your dumpster rental, it also helps you compare customer service and availability so that you choose the best company for your disposal project.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nHometown streamlines getting multiple quotes by allowing you to fill out a single quote request form and sending it out to multiple providers that service your zip code.
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Our quote request form can be filled out in a matter of seconds and helps save you time by doing the research for you!
\r\n\r\nAll dumpster rental quotes are free of charge and you are under no obligation to hire any company that provides you an estimate.
\r\n\r\nHometown's site is free, informative, and easy to use.
\r\n\r\nContinue reading:
\r\n\r\nOne of the most common and costly mistakes that will have you overpaying for your dumpster rental is to exceed your container's weight limit.
\r\n\r\nMost dumpster rental companies will add an additional fee for going over the container's weight allowance, and this is referred to as an overage fee.
\r\n\r\nThe average cost of overage fees in the U.S. ranges from $50-$100 per ton over the weight limit, but can be more or less depending on where you live and the company's policies.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nRenting the right size dumpster is important to help prevent overfilling your container.
\r\n
When speaking with different dumpster rental companies, be as descriptive as possible when discussing your disposal needs.
\r\n\r\nDumpster pros are great at recommending the correct size container for each individual's project as long as they know exactly what is going into the container and how much.
\r\n\r\nRead on:
\r\n\r\nIf you have the time and manpower to load your dumpster in 1-3 days, you may be offered a discount for not taking up the entire rental period.
\r\n\r\nOftentimes, companies aren't willing to offer a discount for shorter rental periods unless they are extremely busy and in need of their dumpsters back as quickly as possible.
\r\n\r\nSome dumpster companies require that you call them once you are ready for them to come pick up your rental, while others will schedule a pickup date and time before they even deliver the container.
\r\n\r\nIf you need an extension to keep the dumpster longer than the initial rental period, you'll be charge a small fee of around $20 per day on average.
\r\n\r\nThere is certain material that cannot be mixed with other material.
\r\n\r\nYard waste, for example, cannot be mixed with any other type of material. The same is typically true of construction or demolition debris.
\r\n\r\nIf the company you rent a dumpster from tells you not to mix certain types of material and you do not abide by those rules, you will likely be charged additional fees and penalties for their additional labor to separate the material or to cover the additional fees they receive at the landfill.
\r\n\r\nThere are certain items banned in landfills across the U.S., like tires, motor oil, car batteries, paint, and more.
\r\n\r\nBe sure to get a complete list of prohibited items from the dumpster rental company and be diligent in making sure to follow that list.
\r\n\r\nFailing to do so will result in additional fines and fees.
\r\n\r\nKeep reading: What Can I Put in a Dumpster?: A Quick Guide to What's Allowed in Roll-off Containers
\r\n\r\nIf applicable, military, veteran, student, and senior discounts are all common small discount programs that are often honored by smaller, locally-owned companies.
\r\n\r\nIt's also not unusual for companies to run promotions across different platforms online, so doing a quick Google search for promo codes or simply asking the dumpster company you speak with if they have any current promotions is ever a bad idea.
\r\n\r\nAs the saying goes, \"You'll never know unless you ask.\"
\r\n\r\nIf you only have a couple large items to get rid of that won't necessarily fill a whole dumpster, you might save money by hiring a professional junk removal service instead.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nWith less than 7 cubic yards of items to get rid of, not only can junk removal services be more cost-efficient than renting a dumpster, but it is unarguably more convenient.
\r\n
Junk removal companies will typically send a crew of 2 people to come and remove your items for you, so you don't have to do any of the heavy lifting or loading.
\r\n\r\nJust like with dumpsters rental services, it's recommended to get multiple junk removal quotes before choosing a provider to hire to make sure you're getting the best price.
\r\n\r\nSome junk removal companies will be able to give you a quote if you provide a photo of the items you need removed while others will require that they send a crew to come asses your items in person in order to provide you with the most accurate quote possible.
\r\n\r\nHometown can help you find local junk removal providers in your area and request quotes from multiple providers in order to get the best price, customer service, and availability.
\r\n\r\nLearn more:
\r\n\r\nRenting a dumpster doesn't have to be an expensive task. In fact, renting a dumpster is one of the most cost-efficient ways to get rid of large amounts of trash and debris at once. Read our tips to learn how to avoid overpaying for dumpster rental services.
\r\n","changed":"2023-02-22T17:13:58+00:00"},{"id":"05f51cd7-aaab-52a6-b9c2-e169cd7f48f0","title":"Paper Recycling 101: Everything You Should Know","url":"/blog/paper-recycling-101","image":{"path":"/static/06aa8e7ad205e7d5db7ed2e3be936947/paper-recycling.jpg","alt":"Yellow dump truck next to large pile of paper at recycling plant"},"video":null,"media_type":"image","tags":[{"id":"ed797128-86b6-5592-953b-f6cbae7dd3e2","name":"Paper Recycling","slug":"Paper-Recycling"},{"id":"39c3533a-c46f-509b-8fcc-19e935627151","name":"Recycling","slug":"Recycling"},{"id":"02a42cee-60f9-5dfd-858c-22ec36b1ce1e","name":"Dumpster Rental","slug":"Dumpster-Rental"},{"id":"61ca817b-0498-5abf-bbe7-cdf5935242bc","name":"Junk Removal","slug":"Junk-Removal"}],"content":"With roughly 40% of landfill waste being paper, its no wonder why consumers and businesses are being called now more than ever to recycle paper as often as possible.
\r\n\r\nWe are all sitting on a huge opportunity to reduce the size of our landfills at a time when landfill \"real estate\" is limited and dwindling by the day.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nRecycling is a great cause but there are rules you must follow in order to not contaminate a batch of recyclables.
\r\n
Not following these rules can lead to recyclables having to be tossed into a landfill, producing the exact opposite results you were trying for.
\r\n\r\nWe'll go over everything you need to know about paper recycling for homes and businesses so you can ensure your recycling efforts don't go to waste.
\r\n\r\nAs we've already mentioned, one of the more obvious benefits of recycling paper is conserving landfill space, but that only just scratches the surface of the many benefits of paper recycling.
\r\n\r\nMany of us were taught in school that recycling paper helps to reduce the amount of trees that are cut down, but how many trees are we actually preserving?
\r\n\r\nTo put it in perspective, if all newspapers that were put into production every year were recycled, we could save around 250 MILLION trees each year!
\r\n\r\nFor every ton (2,000 lbs) of paper that is recycled, we save roughly:
\r\n\r\nIf you're more motivated by the economy than you are the environment, don't worry, we've got you covered there too.
\r\n\r\nA new study by Eco-Cycle shows that if the United States could transition to a 75% recycling rate by the year 2030, we would create an estimate 1-2 million new jobs!
\r\n\r\nJobs created by the recycling industry aren't minimum wage jobs, either. The recycling industry offers theirs workers competitive wages and health benefits.
\r\n\r\nLearn more:
\r\n\r\nOne of the most important things to keep in mind when recycling paper is that it is crucial to keep all paper products clean.
\r\n\r\nIn a mixed recycling bin where you throw aluminum, glass, plastic, paper, and cardboard, you're much more likely to get cross contamination from foods or liquids which can ruin an entire bale of recyclable paper.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nThe best paper recycling practice is to keep the paper separate from other types of recyclables so that they can remain clean.
\r\n
It's also important to understand the different types of paper products we use and what they can often be lined or mixed with.
\r\n\r\nSome of the old ways that we or our parents were taught to recycle is no longer applicable and can actually contaminate our more current paper recycling processes today.
\r\n\r\nChina is the world's largest purchaser of recycled paper and they have strict rules, requiring that recycled paper have 1% or less of contamination.
\r\n\r\nSo while it used to not be necessary in the past to remove the plastic windows in business envelopes, it can be the difference between contaminating recycled paper that can be repurchased or not.
\r\n\r\nThe best practices for recycling any type of material is to understand exactly what can and can't go in your bin, specifically in your area.
\r\n\r\nSome recycling facilities can handle certain products that others cannot.
\r\n\r\nFor example, most recycling centers can't recycle paper cups because they are actually lined with plastic.
\r\n\r\nThere are, however, some recycling centers that have special machines that can separate this plastic from cups.
\r\n\r\nThat's why it's important to get a list of accepted material directly from your waste management company so that you aren't mistakingly contaminating the paper or other items you're trying to recycle.
\r\n\r\nHere is a list of the most universally accepted paper products that can be recycled:
\r\n\r\nMixed material items like orange juice containers and milk cartons can be recycled in some areas, and not in others.
\r\n\r\nAgain, that's why it's important to do local research before tossing just anything into your recycling bin.
\r\n\r\n![\"Paper](\"/sites/default/files/inline-images/paper-cup.jpg\")
\r\nThere are many common mistakes well-intentioned people make when recycling paper.
\r\n\r\nOne of the most common is tossing in pizza boxes with grease stains.
\r\n\r\nWhile cardboard is a recyclable material, no paper products that are contaminated with food should be recycled.
\r\n\r\nIf the top half of your pizza box does not have any grease on it, feel free to separate that from the bottom half of your pizza box and put it into your recycling as long as you're sure it's clean.
\r\n\r\nAnother common mistake people make is throwing in paper items that are lined or coated with wax or plastic, like paper cups, milk cartons, juice boxes, receipts, parchment paper, printed photographs, etc.
\r\n\r\nMany recycling centers can't recycle paper with fibers are already heavily refined, like tissue paper.
\r\n\r\nPaper towels and napkins have fibers that are too short to be recycled (but they can be composted!).
\r\n\r\nOne of the more shocking pieces of information regarding paper recycling that is a common mistake, for businesses especially, is that shredded paper cannot be recycled in the same manner as regular paper.
\r\n\r\nThe fibers in shredded paper have been shortened too much and the small pieces often jam recycling machinery.
\r\n\r\nSome facilities allow shredded paper that is contained in plastic bags and kept separate from other full pieces of paper, but not all do.
\r\n\r\nCheck with your local facility to learn more.
\r\n\r\nIf your curbside trash service also offers recycling, having your recycling picked up at the end of your driveway is certainly the most convenient option.
\r\n\r\nFor those who live in areas where this isn't offered, however, there are plenty of other options available.
\r\n\r\nMany communities have drop-off recycling programs or community dumpsters at different drop-off locations for recyclables.
\r\n\r\nMichigan, for example, has a paper and cardboard recycling program called PaperGator where residents can deposit their recyclable paper products into dumpster containers at several designated drop-off locations.
\r\n\r\nVisit Earth 911 to find recycling centers or programs near you. You can type in the specific type of material you'd like to recycle, as well as your zip code, and you'll be shown recycling solutions in your area.
\r\n\r\nIf you're a business or contractor that has large amounts of paper or cardboard to recycle that won't fit in your curbside collection, consider renting a dumpster for your recycling efforts.
\r\n\r\nOr, if you have a lot of paper to recycle but not enough to justify renting a dumpster, consider hiring a junk removal company to haul away your paper for you.
\r\n\r\nA junk removal company will be able to recycle all your paper and cardboard products on your behalf without you having to lift a finger.
\r\n\r\nHometown makes it easy to find junk removal services and dumpster rentals for all types of disposals across the U.S., including paper recycling!
\r\n\r\nSearch your zip code, answer a few quick questions about your project needs, and get free quotes from qualified companies in your area.
\r\n\r\nLearn everything you need to know about paper recycling to ensure that your recycling efforts don't go to waste.
\r\n","changed":"2023-03-15T18:07:46+00:00"},{"id":"a9c49e00-98b6-5ee9-b271-704121cd07f1","title":"Finding and Hiring the Right Dumpster Service","url":"/blog/hiring-the-right-dumpster-service-everything-you-need-to-know","image":{"path":"/static/68bb6bcd44a755077517b5b59af68f92/finding_5_star_service.jpg","alt":"person using smart phone with 5-star bubble above it"},"video":null,"media_type":"image","tags":[{"id":"02a42cee-60f9-5dfd-858c-22ec36b1ce1e","name":"Dumpster Rental","slug":"Dumpster-Rental"}],"content":"If you need to rent a dumpster, there’s more to consider than just the cost of the dumpster when hiring the right dumpster company for the job.
\r\n\r\nQuality of service is just as, if not more, important.
\r\n\r\nA company with the lowest prices might have a reputation for being late for deliveries or non-responsive to customer inquiries.
\r\n\r\nIt's important to weigh several factors when choosing the best dumpster service beyond just the bottom price.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nWhen dumpster shopping, you should be asking, \"Which company offers the best value?\" not just, “Which company offers the best price?”
\r\n
Generally speaking, that means hiring a local dumpster rental company.
\r\n\r\nWhen it comes to dumpster rental service providers, going local is almost always better.
\r\n\r\nWhy? Because we're talking about a service, not a product.
\r\n\r\nSaving a couple bucks means nothing when it gets you bottom-of-the-barrel service.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nWhen it comes to customer service, small, local companies’ personal approach far surpasses the cookie-cutter style of bigger name brands.
\r\n
The bigger companies’ business model is pretty simple: Profit through quantity and speed.
\r\n\r\nTheir \"customer service\" is better designed to pacify customers than actually assist in solving their problems.
\r\n\r\nThat's why you oftentimes hear big company customer service reps reciting standardized answers in a monotone voice with little evidence of concern.
\r\n\r\nAccording to the Harvard Business Review, smaller companies value “sincere empathy over indifferent calmness and common sense over the standard operating procedure.”
\r\n\r\nThe emphasis on customer service over revenue is why local companies’ services are typically more personalized and reliable than those of big-name brands.
\r\n\r\nNot to mention, in this industry, some large waste disposal companies claim to offer dumpster rental when in reality they outsource the service to another dumpster provider.
\r\n\r\nThis whole 'sub-contracting' situation ultimately leads to increased costs for you.
\r\n\r\nIf you're not communicating directly with the company that's supplying your dumpster, there is a greater chance of miscommunication and poor dumpster service as well.
\r\n\r\nLocal companies are more inclined to establish an ongoing relationship with customers due to their dedication to the community and that passion shows in their will to do right by the customer time and time again.
\r\n\r\nThey’re not just out to make a buck, they want to see a fellow member of the community succeed in completing their project.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n![\"woman](\"/sites/default/files/inline-images/calling-a-company.jpg\")
\r\nWhen calling or emailing companies for quotes (we recommend a minimum of 2-3 to be safe), listen to their tone as well as what they’re actually saying.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nGood customer service should last from the first phone call to final pick-up, and one bad customer service experience is usually a good indicator that more will follow.
\r\n
If you have an unpleasant experience simply getting a quote from a company over the phone, then chances are you won’t like the way they do business otherwise either.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nIf you’re like 70% of consumers, you’re willing to pay a little bit more for quality service.
\r\n\r\nAccording to Business News Daily, a majority of consumers are willing to spend an average of 13% more if we think it will get them exceptional customer service.
\r\n\r\nHowever, that doesn’t mean you should adopt a “money is no object” outlook when it comes to getting extraordinary service from a local professional, especially when it comes to dumpster rental.
\r\n\r\nInstead, you should shop around just like you do everything else, assessing a company’s level of service in addition to their price.
\r\n\r\nThis is why we recommend getting 2-3 quotes or more when possible to ensure you get great dumpster rental services for a fair price.
\r\n\r\nRead more:
\r\n\r\nAt Hometown, we screen and verify local companies to help you find the best one in your area, and we publish only authentic customer reviews.
\r\n\r\nSo, you can trust that all of the information published on the Hometown site is accurate.
\r\n![\"hometown](\"/sites/default/files/inline-images/simple-and-affordable.jpg\")
\r\nSimply search for dumpster rental companies serving your zip code, learn more about dumpster rental services available in your area, and call the companies you’re interested in to request a quote from them.
\r\n\r\nIf you’re unsure of which dumpster size you’ll need, don’t worry—these companies are experts and will be able to help you pick the right one for your project.
\r\n\r\nHometown sponsors locally-owned dumpster companies that answer their own phone and process their own dumpster requests. There's no national call center or anything like that to deal with; you're connected straight to the company you dial.
\r\n\r\nWe survey waste dumpster and construction dumpster prices in each geographic area across the United States and work with our local affiliate to ensure they are offering dumpster service at a fair and competitive price.
\r\n\r\nKeep reading:
\r\n\r\nQuality customer service is just as important as pricing. Learn why hiring a locally-owned dumpster rental company is your best disposal option.
\r\n","changed":"2023-02-23T01:15:52+00:00"}],"populars":[{"state":"Pennsylvania","place":"Philadelphia, PA","code":"commercial-waste-management","code_name":"Commercial Waste Management","url":"pennsylvania/commercial-waste-management-philadelphia-pa","hub":true,"hubs":true,"type":"Hub01"},{"state":"Pennsylvania","place":"Philadelphia, PA","code":"dumpster-rental","code_name":"Dumpster Rental","url":"Pennsylvania/Philadelphia-dumpster-rental.html","hub":true,"hubs":true,"type":"Hub01"},{"state":"Pennsylvania","place":"Pittsburgh, PA","code":"commercial-waste-management","code_name":"Commercial Waste Management","url":"pennsylvania/commercial-waste-management-pittsburgh-pa","hub":true,"hubs":true,"type":"Hub01"},{"state":"Pennsylvania","place":"Allentown, PA","code":"commercial-waste-management","code_name":"Commercial Waste Management","url":"pennsylvania/commercial-waste-management-allentown-pa","hub":true,"hubs":true,"type":"Hub01"},{"state":"Pennsylvania","place":"Allentown, PA","code":"junk-removal","code_name":"Junk Removal","url":"Pennsylvania/junk-removal/allentown-pa.html","hub":true,"hubs":true,"type":"Hub01"},{"state":"Pennsylvania","place":"Allentown, PA","code":"dumpster-rental","code_name":"Dumpster Rental","url":"Pennsylvania/dumpsters-allentown.html","hub":true,"hubs":true,"type":"Hub01"}],"tips":[{"name":"Roll Off Dumpsters","body":"This will vary based on rules and regulations in your city or state.
\r\n\r\nHowever, the most common wastes prohibited from being disposed of in dumpsters are:
\r\n\r\nTake these prohibited items to local household hazardous waste (HHW) processing facilities or drop them off during your area's HHW collection event (typically an annually or biannually event).
\r\n\r\nE-wastes can be recycled at most major electronics stores, including Best Buy and Staples.
\r\n\r\nLocate a scrap tire yard in your area to dispose of used tires, or take them to a tire store for proper recycling.
\r\n\r\nLearn more:
\r\n\r\n\r\n\n\t\t\t\t\tWe are a locally-owned, veteran-operated dumpster rental company proudly serving customers throughout Central PA. Bin There Dump That features residential-friendly dumpsters ranging from 4 to 20 cubic...\n\t\t\t\t\tmore\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tS & S Trash Service is a trusted, family-owned business committed to quality and superior customer service. We offer residential and commercial trash service, as well...\n\t\t\t\t\tmore\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tAt Scott Disposal & Transport, we specialize in residential dumpster rental. We are a family owned business founded in 2017. Our goal is to assist in any...\n\t\t\t\t\tmore\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tWelcome to Keystone Dumpster Rentals, your reliable partner for hassle-free dumpster rental services across the Keystone State. We offer quick, on-time delivery of dumpsters for...\n\t\t\t\t\tmore\n\t\t\t\t
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