Dumping your old items into landfills to rot is dangerous for the environment and will only contribute to the release of harmful substances into the atmosphere.
Disposing of your junk in a safe, eco-friendly manner is a way of playing your part in keeping the environment safe, as a citizen of the world.
Fast Act Junk Removal Service, an eco-friendly junk removal company in Niles, Michigan, shares simple, eco-friendly ways you can dispose of your household junk and furniture.
Different Eco-Friendly Ways of Disposing of Junks
1. Recycling
This is the most common way of safely disposing of items. Recycling involves the process of collecting old items, processing them, and turning them into new products or using their waste as raw materials for the production of new items (e.g producing building materials from construction waste).
By recycling your used items, you are helping the environment by reducing the amount of waste that is sent to landfills.
Recycling helps to conserve natural resources like timber and iron and also serves as means of creating jobs for members of the community.
However, not all junk items can be recycled. Items like plastic wraps and films, plastic bags, used diapers, and tangling items are not acceptable in recycling centers. Items that can be recycled include plastic bottles, cans, clean cartons, flattened cardboard, and clean food and beverage containers.
2. Upcycling
This process is also known as “creative reuse”, and is different from recycling. While recycling involves breaking down items to use their materials for the production of new items, upcycling is simply reusing old items in a new way. In upcycling, the items maintain their original quality, rather than being broken down.
It involves the creative process of creating something new out of an item by repairing, refurbishing, or repurposing them. By being a little more creative, you can turn your old household items into something artistic and useful.
For example, you can paint your old wine bottles or plastic containers to turn them into beautiful flower vases. Other items you can upcycle include plastics, clothing items, aluminum, and glass.
Generally, you can upcycle any household item, it all depends on your creativity and how far you are willing to try.
3. Incineration
Junk items that are not suitable for recycling or upcycling, can be destroyed through incineration. Incineration is the thermal destruction process of burning hazardous items at a temperature that is high enough to destroy every contaminant present in them.
Junk items to be destroyed are loaded into a furnace, known as an incinerator. The incinerator is a type of furnace designed with high energy to destroy hazardous items without releasing pollutants into the atmosphere.
The incinerator can destroy any kind of waste items and chemicals, except metals such as lead and chromium.
4. Donate Old Items
The old saying goes “one man’s junk can be another man’s valuable item”. Instead of tossing old household items and clothes into the bin for disposal, you can give them out to people who still need them.
Donating your items to places such as churches, homeless shelters, children’s shelters, or women's organizations, will give you a sense of fulfillment and purpose, knowing that someone is enjoying the comfort of your benevolence. Also, giving out your old items for other people to use, is better than letting them rot at the landfill.
By donating your items, you are providing resources for people who need them, saving the environment from harmful substances and playing your part in keeping the environment safe.
Examples of items that you can donate include old but functioning electronic appliances, furniture, mattresses, decorations, clothing items, shoes, old sofas, and books.
5. Sell the Items
One profitable way of disposing of your old items is by selling them off. By selling your old household and clothing items, you can make some extra bucks, while keeping the environment safe.
Although these items might not seem useful to you, some people need them and would love to buy them from you. You can sell your old items by posting them online in second-hand markets, conducting a yard sale, or selling them to friends.
6. Give Your Trash to Junk Removal Services
If you are busy or can’t go through the stress of recycling or upcycling your junk items and you don’t know anyone who would like to buy them, giving your trash to an eco-friendly junk removal service is your next best option.
By making use of eco-friendly junk removal services like Fast Act Junk Removal, you can be confident that your junk will be handled in a way that is safe for the environment.
Most junk removal services are conscious of the environment, hence they don’t just dump your items into landfills. Instead, they work with recycling centers, churches, and charity foundations to safely dispose of your items, depending on their nature, condition, and materials.
Simple Ways to Get Rid of Junk Items
Trying to dispose of items in an environmentally-friendly way can be overwhelming. However, it doesn’t have to be. Many of your household items can be disposed of in a simple, eco-friendly manner that will not put you through unnecessary stress. Simple eco-friendly ways to get rid of some of your junk items include the following;
1. Furniture Disposal
Before sending your furniture to the landfill, you should know that there are safer ways of disposing of them. If your furniture is made of metal, you can take them to a recycling center.
For other types of furniture, you can donate them to charity centers, sell them online, or gift them to family and friends. Alternatively, you can have a junk removal service pick them up and dispose of them properly.
Examples of furniture that junk removal services accept include mattresses, dressers, chests of drawers, couches, sofas, beds, dining sets, and patio furniture.
2. Appliance Disposal
Whether you are getting new appliances or just getting rid of your old ones, disposing of home appliances can be quite complicated due to their sizes and the materials they are made of. Appliances release a lot of waste into the environment when they are not disposed of properly, which is why you must be very cautious with them.
Some of the ways you can dispose of your old appliances include giving them out to family and friends, selling them, scrapping them or selling their parts, donating them to charity centers, and taking them to recycling centers.
Also, some appliance retailers allow you to drop off your old appliances when getting new ones from them. This option is perfect if you are looking to buy new appliances to replace your old ones.
3. Hot Tub Removal
Getting rid of your old hot tubs can be very complicated, because of their size. However, it is not impossible to get rid of your hot tub in an environmentally safe manner.
If you are looking to get a new hot tub, you can request a trade-off from your vendor. Your old tub might have some monetary value, which will be deducted from the amount of your purchase. But even if it doesn’t have monetary value, you can be certain that your vendor will dispose of it safely.
You can also sell your old hot tub to friends and family or list it in an online market like Facebook. Other ways of disposing of old hot tubs are gifting them to friends and family, recycling them, or hiring a junk removal service to pick them up.
4. Chemical Waste Disposal
Disposing of Chemicals and laboratory wastes requires a lot of caution and safety measures In most states, improper disposal of chemical waste is illegal and you can face charges for it. Also, most junk removal services don’t accept chemicals and laboratory wastes, and you cannot dispose of them through the regular trash can, due to their nature.
The most acceptable means of disposing of chemical waste is through the EHS (Environmental Health and Safety) Hazardous Waste Program.
To have your chemical waste removed by the EHS, you should store your chemicals in proper containers, preferably plastics, label them correctly, fill out the hazardous waste information form and submit it to the Environmental Health and Safety Ministry.
5. Gym Equipment Disposal
Dumping your gym equipment in a landfill is not a safe nor advisable mode of disposal because gym equipment is made from items that can contaminate the environment. Also, since they are not naturally degradable, your gym equipment will sit in the dumpsite for many years, releasing toxic elements into the atmosphere.
One way to dispose of your old gym equipment is through recycling. Instead of dumping your old treadmill in a landfill, you can recycle it to retrieve useful items like metals and steel. Contact your local recycling center to see if they accept gym equipment.
On the other hand, if your gym equipment is still in good working condition, you can dispose of them by donating them to charity or gifting them to friends. Otherwise, you can hire a junk removal service to pick them up and safely dispose of them.
Benefits of Properly Disposing of Your Wastes
Dumping your junk items in the trash or landfill can be tempting, but safely disposing of your items has many benefits for the environment, your health, and your community. Some benefits of eco-friendly waste disposal include
1. It Helps to Reduce the Amount of Waste in Landfills
By properly disposing of your junk items, you will contribute to the reduction of the size of landfills, which will help to reduce the release of contaminants into the environment.
2. It Helps to Reduce Energy Consumption
Upcycling, recycling, donating, and other eco-friendly means of junk disposal help to reduce the amount of such items that will be produced, thereby reducing the amount of pollution and energy consumption related to production.
3. Preserves Natural Resources
Eco-friendly waste removal contributes to the preservation of natural resources such as iron, metals, gas, and timber, by reducing the number of such resources that are being consumed and extracted.
4. Prevent the Spread of Diseases
Aside from releasing toxins into the environment, junk and dumpsites are breeding grounds for diseases. By leaving your items at landfills, you are contributing to the size of the trash sites, which might lead to the growth of bacteria and diseases, putting humans’ lives in danger.
5. Giving Back to the Community
By donating your items to charity centers or gifting them to family and friends, you are not only saving the environment, but you are also giving back to your community. Also, knowing that someone is enjoying the comfort of your items can give you a sense of fulfillment.
Eco-Friendly Junk Removal Through Junk Removal Services
If you are concerned about disposing of your junk through environmentally-safe methods but don’t want to go through the stress of your home, hiring a junk removal service is your best choice.
For a fee, Junk removal services can help in sorting, removing, and safely disposing of your old items on your behalf.
Using a junk removal service for your eco-friendly junk removal will make the process less frustrating, faster, and more encouraging. With a junk removal service, you can reduce the temptation of hauling your old items to the landfill.
Most junk removal services in Niles, Michigan accept many items, ranging from furniture to appliances, electronic waste, gym equipment, home cleanouts, and spa items.
Benefits of Using Junk Removal Services for Your Eco-Friendly Junk Removal
1. Saves Time
The process of sorting your items and taking them to the recycling center or donation centers can be time taking and tiring. By Hiring a professional junk removal service, you can sit back while they safely haul your items away and dispose of them in the safest manner.
2. Reduces Your Stress
Renting a dumpster, lifting your heavy appliances and furniture, and driving them to charity centers are stressful activities, and undertaking them on your own can be discouraging. You can save yourself from stress when you hire a professional junk removal service to undertake the project on your behalf.
3. They Handle Your Items with Care
Removing some items like refrigerators, HVAC units, and gym equipment requires special skills and care, to avoid damaging them. When you hire a junk removal service to haul away your items, you can relax, knowing that they will handle each item with care and ensure that they get to their destination in good condition.
4. They Work With Recycling Centers
Getting recycling companies to pick up your items can be a long, discouraging process. But with professional junk removal services, it doesn’t have to be. Most junk removal services work with recycling centers, where they can take your recyclable items and safely dispose of them.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Junk Removal Company for Your Eco-Friendly Junk Removal
1. Price
Price is important when choosing a junk removal service for your project, as you want to ensure that you are not being overcharged. Before choosing to work with any company, it is advisable to get price estimates from two to three companies and consider the price that best suits your budget.
2. Junk Disposal Method
Although most junk removal companies are now aware of environmental safety, some companies still dump all their junk items in landfills. As a person who is trying to practice eco-friendly junk removal, it is important that you ask about the company’s junk removal process and be sure that it suits your requirement before you decide to work with them.
3. Reputation
Before choosing a junk removal service, you want to ensure that they have a good reputation. Ask your neighbors, friends, or colleagues who have worked with the company for their experience. You should also check their website, Google page, and social media pages to see what their past customers think of their service.
4. Schedule
If you have chosen a company to work with, ensure that their availability matches your needs. Depending on your requirements, some companies offer same-day service, while others run next-day or 24-hours service. Explain your needs to the junk removal company’s agents, and be sure that you have an agreement on how soon they can pick up your items.
Affordable Eco-friendly Junk Removal Service in Niles, Michigan
Fast Act Junk Removal and Dumpster Service is a leading eco-friendly Junk Removal company in Niles, Michigan. They provide full-service junk removal and dumpster rental services in Niles, New Troy, Hartford, St. Joseph, and other areas in Michigan.
As Niles leading junk removal service, Fast Act offers a wide range of junk removal services such as estate cleanout, furniture removal, spa cleanout, construction junk removal, garage junk removal, and dumpster rental.
At Fast Act Junk Removal Service, you can enjoy a fast and affordable junk removal process, free inspection, and quotes, and excellent customer service.
To make inquiries about their services, contact Fast Act Junk Removal and Dumpster Rental Service at 269-808-1170.
