To Throw Away or Not To Throw Away?

Spring is still a couple of months away, but that doesn’t mean you can’t start planning for it. If you’re putting in a garden, you’re probably already ordering seed packets and investing in grow lights to get plants started. You may also be thinking about home projects you want to accomplish this year.

One of the best ways to get ready for spring is to get rid of excess waste and clutter around the house. This is a project that’s easily done in the dead of winter before the call of songbirds lures you outdoors for other activities.

Decluttering is easier said than done, though. Many homeowners stall out once they see the types of items they need to get rid of. Broken appliances, worn-out furniture, clothing, kids’ toys, bikes…these types of things pile up around the house. Before you know it, they’re taking up precious space that could be used for other purposes.

When cleaning out an attic, basement, or other room, it’s tempting to just put everything out at the curb for the trash service to pick up. But is that really the best option? Small Haul Containers offers a different solution. Why not rent a dumpster instead?

Residential dumpster rental is sometimes overlooked as an option when getting rid of household waste. But roll-off dumpster rentals give you a place to toss nearly all your unwanted items. All you have to do is rent a dumpster ahead of time so it’s in place in your driveway when you’re ready to start your project. Small Haul brings the container to you, so you don’t have to worry about that detail. All you need to worry about is whether you should toss an item out or recycle it.

Small Haul can help with that. Here’s a quick guide to what you can put in dumpsters and what should be recycled.

Most neighborhoods in Kansas City have some kind of recycling program that residents can take advantage of. These programs generally cover the basics.

Paper. Most paper can be recycled. There are a few exceptions, though. Greasy pizza boxes or other fast-food containers aren’t usually good items to recycle. They may be made of paper and have the recycling icon on them, but the grease and cheese keep them from effectively mixing with other recyclable items. The same goes for paper coffee cups. The polyurethane lining that keeps the cup from leaking doesn’t recycle well. These items are best tossed in the trash.

Colored paper is also a no-no when it comes to recycling. One piece of colored paper can ruin a whole batch of recycled white paper. Throw colored paper out.

Milk cartons and juice boxes can be recycled if they have the recycle icon. It’s a good idea to rinse out milk cartons first, so you don’t end up with sour milk before the recycling container is picked up.

Plastics. Recyclable plastics are also commonly picked up through neighborhood recycling programs. Two-liter soda bottles and plastic inner packaging from Amazon or other home shopping orders are prime candidates for recycling. Contrary to popular belief, plastic lids can be left on bottles and other containers.

Glass. Some neighborhoods include glass in their recycling programs and some don’t. If yours doesn’t, seek out local glass recycling stations located through the metro area.

Clothing and other household items. Clothing and shoes can also be “recycled” by taking them to the nearest thrift store. This is an excellent way to get rid of kids’ clothes since they’re often only lightly worn. Furniture and other household items may also be donated if they’re in good condition. Thrift store donations are tax-deductible, which is handy at tax time. More importantly, you’re giving someone else the opportunity to enjoy the items at a minimal cost.

You can dispose of many types of items in a roll-off dumpster rental. Here’s a list to get you started.

• Household items and trash, include polystyrene foam and plastic
• Paper/plastics/glass (we recycle them for you)
• Furniture and other large items: Broken or worn-out couches, chairs with torn upholstery, broken lawn mowers, etc.
• Home electronics*: TVs, computers, printers, cell phones, game consoles, fax machines
• Appliances: Appliances being recycled can’t contain freon and are subject to additional transportation fees.
• Remodeling debris: Drywall, plywood, siding, etc.
• Roofing shingles: Must be clean and not mixed with other waste
• Landscape debris: Concrete/bricks/stone/soil
• Yard waste: Must be separated from all other debris

*A note on home electronics: These items can often be recycled through local electronics recycling centers. These facilities wipe clean and refurbish the items and then resell or donate them to schools and other organizations. If you’re interested in going this route, contact local electronics recycling centers for more information.

There are a few items that cannot be tossed in small dumpster rentals. These include hazardous materials, toxic substances such as paint thinners or solvents, anything flammable, bio-medical or infectious waste, and car batteries. Check Small Haul’s FAQs for more information.

Now is the time to start decluttering and cleaning up the house — before lovely spring weather calls you outside for more enjoyable activities. Pick a weekend, reserve a dumpster from Small Haul , and get moving. You’ll feel great when you clear the house of all the items that have sat around for years, waiting for someone to decide whether to toss them out or not. When warm weather calls, you’ll be ready to answer!

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