How do you effectively manage the waste generated during a renovation project?

BY SIMONE J. SMITH

You have spent the summer sprucing up the house with a ‘Do It Yourself’ (DIY) project. Naturally, after completing your DIY project, you feel a strong sense of achievement and pride. It’s gratifying to see the tangible results of your efforts and know that you created something with your own hands. This summer gave you a chance to express your creativity and personalize your home creations. You enjoyed the freedom of customizing your projects to suit your tastes and preferences.

Many people are drawn to DIY projects because they allow for upcycling and repurposing materials, reducing waste, and contributing to environmental sustainability, but how do you effectively manage the waste generated during a renovation project? Here are some questions and answers to help you out:

How do I get rid of old decks and patios?

Disposing of debris from dismantled decks, or patios can pose a challenge. While certain organizations, like Habitat for Humanity, accept construction materials, they typically require them to be in good condition.

If you have sufficient space, you can repurpose some materials within your house, but if not, they might end up needlessly cluttering your yard. Some companies specialize in demolishing and disposing of such materials before constructing new structures. However, many contractors do not provide this service. Unless you hire a removal service, you might find yourself loading and transporting your old deck to the landfill, which can be a time-consuming task with limited benefits.

How do I remove sod and yard waste?

When undertaking your own landscaping project, disposing of sod and other yard waste can present certain challenges. Municipal waste services typically require the waste to be clean before accepting it.

Additionally, a significant portion of yard waste, aside from branches and weeds, can be exceptionally heavy and require a team of people to safely handle the lifting and loading. While some landscapers offer assistance with waste removal, there may be instances where their services are unavailable. In such cases, professional removal services can step in to provide unnecessary support.

What do I do with these old shingles?

The new roof looks great, but the pile of used shingles in the yard is far from desirable. Garbage pickup won’t collect used shingles, but if they are in good enough condition, your local ReStore or Habitat for Humanity branches will accept them.

If they’re not reusable, a trip to the local landfill might be in order. Certain landfills and recycling centres have the capability to break down and repurpose the shingles for other products. To determine the appropriate disposal location, a few phone calls to municipal disposal sites in your area should provide the necessary information. In the rare case that your asphalt shingles contain asbestos, it’s essential to involve professionals who specialize in handling harmful and hazardous substances for proper disposal.

Where can I dispose of gravel and stone?

Much like yard waste, the disposal of gravel can be cumbersome, due to various restrictions imposed by municipalities. While repurposing options may not always be the most practical, it is worth noting that in many cases, the gravel is already conveniently gathered into a pile, making it relatively easy and quick to load and remove.

How do I remove old bricks?

Older exterior decorations were constructed of brick, and the only way to clear that space is by demolishing the structure. This can be a challenging task as many of these adornments hold a rich history dating back to the home’s construction. However, to create room for updated landscaping, such demolition becomes necessary. Bricks in good condition can be reused and broken clay or limestone pieces can be recycled and repurposed for future construction. Most landfills will also accept bricks for disposal.

How do I dispose of vinyl siding?

Vinyl, being non-decomposable and non-recyclable, poses challenges for disposal. In the case of small strips from minor projects, some municipalities recommend placing them in black garbage bags for regular disposal. However, for larger strips, it is recommended to check with your local landfill or consider utilizing a removal service. Such services can help save time and effort by handling the disposal of larger vinyl pieces without the needs for cutting them into smaller fragments.

What should I do with old light bulbs?

It is important to note that throwing used light bulbs in the trash is strongly discouraged by waste disposal experts. While energy-saving light bulbs have brought financial savings, improper disposal can have detrimental effects on the environment. Some of which contain small amounts of mercury – a highly toxic substance when deposited in landfills.

To properly dispose of these bulbs, options include utilizing local drop-off depots (available locations can be found on your municipal website), participating in hazardous waste collection events held seasonally or returning them to retailers that offer take-back programs.

Where should I throw out old batteries?

Batteries pose a similar challenge to light bulbs when it comes to disposal. Depots, collection events and retailer take-back programs are the recommended channels for disposing of batteries. However, it’s worth noting that most household alkaline batteries are generally safe to dispose of with your regular waste pickup.

Rechargeable batteries, such as those commonly used in power tools, should never be thrown away in the regular trash. Disposing of batteries used in cordless appliances, tools and vehicles require extreme care. Due to regulations and restrictions, the transportation and disposal of these batteries often necessitate specialized services for proper handling and disposal, depending on the specific location.

I was contacted by JustJunk®️, and they shared ideas with me on how home renovators can remove unwanted materials and items from residential and commercial properties including furniture, appliances and garden refuse, along with construction and demolition debris. JustJunk®️ crews ensure that collected materials that fit the criteria are recycled or donated to charitable organizations for re-use – helping divert waste from landfills.

Their pricing rates include all labour, loading of the materials from anywhere on the property, clean up and all disposal, or recycling fees. Customers are provided with an up-front, written estimate before any work begins.

I hope this has been helpful to all my DIYers. Congratulations on another successful, creative summer.