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.
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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":"0b82f67e-0878-506b-b650-5e1fcc58556f","title":"Junked Aircrafts Make Comfortable Abodes","url":"/blog/junked-aircrafts-make-comfortable-abodes","image":{"path":"/static/524b935c1681f5c9ffaacec6ffd04c66/airplane-houses-mashup_0.jpeg","alt":"Houses constructed from old airplanes"},"video":null,"media_type":"image","tags":[{"id":"8a088d18-16c4-5f32-8898-b75d5543d9fa","name":"Environment","slug":"Environment"},{"id":"8a556635-2a85-5e01-a170-d18bb873bb0e","name":"Sustainability","slug":"Sustainability"},{"id":"39c3533a-c46f-509b-8fcc-19e935627151","name":"Recycling","slug":"Recycling"}],"content":"Ever wonder where old airplanes go when they retire?...It's not to a retirement community in Florida. Most actually end up in so-called “aircraft boneyards” located primarily in the deserts of the Southwestern United States. These boneyards are basically junkyards for aircraft of all types.
\r\n\r\n\r\nWhile some may view these broken, rundown birds as piles of scrap metal, others see an opportunity to create some of the coolest looking homes on the planet.
\r\n\r\n\r\nIf you think about, transforming an old Boeing 747 fuselage into a cozy home isn’t all that bad of an idea:
\r\n\r\nHere’s a look at some of the most spectacular looking houses you’ll ever see, each of which breathes new life into these giant piles of scrap metal.
\r\n\r\n![\"Boeing](\"/sites/default/files/inline-images/airplane-house-1.jpeg\")
\r\n\r\n\r\n![\"Hotel](\"/sites/default/files/inline-images/airplane-house-2.jpeg\")
\r\n
\r\nHoax Slayer
![\"Airplane](\"/sites/default/files/inline-images/airplane-house-3.jpeg\")
\r\n\r\n\r\n![\"Wing](\"/sites/default/files/inline-images/airplane-house-4-380x1024.jpeg\")
\r\n
\r\nInhabitat
![\"Oregon](\"/sites/default/files/inline-images/airplane-house-5-386x1024.jpeg\")
\r\n
\r\nBored Panda
![\"Monster](\"/sites/default/files/inline-images/airplane-house-6-469x1024_0.jpeg\")
\r\n
\r\nAirport Journals
![\"Blimp](\"/sites/default/files/inline-images/airplane-house-7.jpeg\")
\r\n
\r\nBellemo & Cat
See the amazing ways people repurpose airplanes and other aircraft into amazing structures that are not only livable but stunning to look at.
\r\n","changed":"2021-08-20T17:26:57+00:00"},{"id":"6922decb-5c44-5abd-a883-92d41128d93e","title":"How to Schedule a Dumpster Pick-up","url":"/blog/how-to-schedule-dumpster-pick-up","image":{"path":"/static/1be129df28197a967d2c249136027bc1/dumpster-pick-up.png","alt":"dumpster being picked up by truck"},"video":null,"media_type":"image","tags":[{"id":"02a42cee-60f9-5dfd-858c-22ec36b1ce1e","name":"Dumpster Rental","slug":"Dumpster-Rental"}],"content":"Scheduling a dumpster pick-up is easy, though it varies slightly from company to company.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nWhen reaching out to dumpster companies during the initial quote process, make sure you understand the pick-up (and delivery) procedure for their dumpster rental services.
\r\n
![\"scheduling](\"/sites/default/files/inline-images/scheduling-dumpster-pick-up-infographic.png\")
\r\nFor example, many dumpster rental companies ask that you call their office or submit a pick-up request via a form online when you're ready to have your dumpster picked up and hauled away.
\r\n\r\nIn this type of pick-up scheduling scenario, you should contact the dumpster company for pick-up before your dumpster rental period is up.
\r\n\r\nIf you don't let the company know your dumpster is ready for pick-up, you may be at risk of being charged an extension fee.
\r\n\r\nAnother common dumpster pick-up procedure is that you simply agree on a pick-up date when booking the dumpster.
\r\n\r\nThe company will pick up your dumpster some time within that day unless you reach out to them to request an extension.
\r\n\r\nHere's an example of what the roll-off dumpster pick-up process looks like:
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
The bottom line is: Pay attention to your dumpster rental agreement and be sure you understand how the procedure works.
\r\n\r\nNot only do you want to ensure you don't get charged an extension fee by mistake, but you also want to be sure you're only loading accepted items into the dumpster.
\r\n\r\nNeed help finding a dumpster rental company near you? Hometown can help.
\r\n
\r\nSearch local dumpster rental companies in your city, read customer reviews, and easily request multiple dumpster rental quotes to ensure you get a great price and great services.
Find out more:
\r\n\r\nScheduling a dumpster pick-up is easy, though it varies slightly from company to company. When reaching out to dumpster companies during the initial quote process, make sure you understand which pick-up procedure they use for their dumpster rental services.
\r\n","changed":"2022-07-28T18:59:08+00:00"}],"populars":[{"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":"Pittsburgh, PA","code":"junk-removal","code_name":"Junk Removal","url":"Pennsylvania/junk-removal/pittsburgh-pa.html","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":"commercial-waste-management","code_name":"Commercial Waste Management","url":"pennsylvania/commercial-waste-management-allentown-pa","hub":true,"hubs":true,"type":"Hub01"},{"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"}],"tips":[{"name":"20 Yard Dumpsters","body":"Standard open-top roll-offs are the most common type of 20 yard dumpster. Most feature a door that swings open for easy loading, making it extra convenient to load bulky or heavy items, like furniture, appliances, concrete, and demolition debris. Dumpster trailers are another option that some dumpster rental providers offer. Trailers are a great option when the ground is soft or uneven.
\r\n\r\nRead more: The Different Types of Dumpster Styles
\r\n\r\nStay within your dumpster's weight allowance. The weight capacity will vary depending on who you rent from, but the average weight limit for a 20 yard dumpster is about 3 tons (6,000 lbs). Going over the weight allowance will incur additional charges as high as $150 per ton. A standard rental period is seven days (varies by company). A per-day late fee is applicable for keeping the dumpster longer than your contract covers, so make sure you understand your dumpster rental period to avoid paying extra. The type of waste/debris is important. Some rental companies have rules in place based on the type of debris. The weight allowance may vary depending on the debris you're throwing away. Some companies may not allow you to mix certain debris, like concrete and household trash for example. Some waste is prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to, hazardous wastes, tires, automotive fluids, and batteries. Many dumpster rental companies recycle. Make it easier for your dumpster rental company (and potentially less expensive for you) by separating recyclables when possible, like concrete, asphalt shingles, dirt, cardboard/paper, and scrap metal.
\r\n\r\nLearn more about 20 yard containers:
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