There has been quite a rise in junk removal services in recent times, and that’s got more to do with how much everyone is fighting for the environment. As people grow more environmentally conscious and are now taking care of their carbon footprint, it has become imperative for junk removal services to adopt sustainable and eco-friendly practices as well. The bottom line is that there is a lot of waste generated throughout the year, and the best way to preserve our environment is through the use of professional environmentally-friendly junk removal services.
When you factor in that most consumer products today are designed to be disposable, you can see how the growing problem of waste disposal isn’t going to get any better any time soon. In too many instances, items such as batteries, computers, electronics, and chemicals are thrown in with regular trash, which creates an environmental hazard. In this article, we will be examining how best to dispose of your trash and how it impacts the environment.
Separate Recyclables
Even though it is an extra step, taking the time to separate what can be recycled from your regular trash is a big help to the environment. So, when you’re doing spring cleaning or any other big cleaning project, determine which of your bulk items can go to the landfill and what you can recycle.
Most furniture made from metal or wood is recyclable, and even some plastics are recyclable as well. If you come across a piece of furniture that isn’t recyclable, you should think about selling it or donating it to a charity or shelter instead of having it go to the landfill site, where it will sit and rot.
Properly Dispose of Appliances
It’s incredible to see how many appliances we accumulate, and nearly all of these appliances take forever to break down when they are taken to a landfill. If you have devices that don’t work or you want to throw away, a smart move is to call a professional junk removal service.
These companies know how to properly dispose of these items in a way that causes the least harm to the environment. Also, if the appliance works, but you don’t want it anymore, consider donating it or passing it along to someone who can use it.
Be Mindful of Electronics
Electronics, cell phones, and computers, in particular, create what’s called e-waste or electronic waste, and it is a big problem. Even though the effects on the environment aren’t genuinely known, since e-waste is a new type of garbage, some scientists say the environmental impact is significant. Most of our computers and electronics contain heavy metals, which include lead, barium, lithium, and mercury.
When these are thrown into a landfill, these metals seep into the soil and get into the groundwater. People who depend on this water can be drinking carcinogens and not know about it. Due to the potential health concerns throwing away electronics presents, it’s responsible to properly dispose of these items in a manner that won’t impact the environment.
Today, most companies will come and collect cell phones, computers, and other electronic devices for recycling. If you don’t have a company locally, there are a number online where you can send these items. Lastly, if you have cell phones or computers that work, consider donating those to a school or charity.
Chemicals and Drugs
Most people pour old chemicals or unused medications down the drain or into the toilet. Disposing of these items in this fashion leads to water pollution and contamination. If you have unused medications, consider giving them to a drug take-back program. Such programs are now present in most towns. You can drop off these items at the program’s facility, and they will dispose of them appropriately.
The same is true for chemicals. Most chemical products have instructions on their labels on how to properly dispose of them, so they have minimal impact on the environment.
Reduce Air Pollution
In some communities, burning trash is an acceptable way of dealing with unwanted junk. Most trash burning is fine, and materials like grass clippings, leaves, paper, and cardboard, and even some fabrics are fine to burn. However, many items, such as plastic and rubber, release toxic fumes when they are burned, which leads to air pollution.
Although most municipalities regulate the backyard burning of trash, people do it anyway. If you’re interested in protecting the environment, do a little homework to see what’s acceptable to burn and what needs to be recycled or removed by a junk removal service.
Health Benefits
We’re all part of the environment, and we depend on its cleanliness and safety for our survival. Properly disposing of trash, relocating it away from human populations helps keep the air and water we consume pure and safe. When some garbage is burned or breaks down, it causes air pollution, which can lead to respiratory illnesses for some people.
Safely disposing of trash and taking it to proper recycling facilities or approved landfills reduces the biohazards that come with mountains of trash. Most landfills use specialized liners to prevent toxic chemicals from getting into the groundwater and are mindful of what type of waste is incinerated.
Recycle
It can’t be stressed enough, but recycling unwanted or unused items is one of the best ways to help the environment. Your items not going to the dump or landfill goes a long way to keeping the environment clean. Not only does this reduce the amount of stuff in the landfill, but it reduces the number of toxins that seep into the ground as products break down.
As stated above, the best way of recycling unwanted or unused items is to donate them to charities or shelters. If you can’t do that, consider selling them online. You can also have a garage sale. As you can see, there are considerable benefits to the environment and our overall health to responsibly dispose of trash. If you do have waste that you don’t know what to do with, most professional junk removal services can help you and ensure that your waste is disposed of safely and adequately.