How To Recycle or Dispose of Your Refrigerator

How To Recycle or Dispose of Your Refrigerator

Can I put a refrigerator in the dumpster?

The short answer is no, it is illegal to dump them!  We cannot haul any items containing Freon. This includes the following items: refrigerators, freezers, dehumidifiers, or air conditioning units. 

Most landfills and/or transfer stations will not accept these items because of the Freon used is hazardous.   If a Freon loaded item is found to be in a dumpster they (landfill/transfer station) will make us load up all the material and go somewhere else with everything! 

What if I drain the Freon & remove the compressor?

The answer is still no. Because the Freon is a hazardous chemical that releases ozone depleting refrigerants in the atmosphere. The removal and capture of the Freon must be done by a professional with a technician certificate. 

How can I recycle my old, working refrigerator?

Check with your local power provider.  Some power companies, like Georgia Power,  will come to you and even pay you to remove the unit!  See below for more info.

If your power company does not provide this service you can always check with your local transfer station or landfill (most counties have one).  The fees for Freon units can run from $10 to $80 per unit.  They will have a company come out (technician certification) and recapture the Freon for proper disposal and then either the same company or another will pick up the units to recycle (metal).

Georgia Power: Recycle Your Refrigerator Program

Georgia Power is offering a limited time Refrigerator Recycling Program. If you have a working unit that you need to be removed, they will pay you $35.00 and properly dispose the unit for you! The specifics are listed below. 

"Eligibility Requirements

In order for your refrigerator to be eligible for a pickup and rebate, it must be a secondary working unit. It cannot be the primary refrigerator for the residence. Reclaim, an appliance recycler, will pick up and recycle refrigerators and freezers that are empty and working. Refrigerators and freezers must be between 10 – 30 cubic feet in size and collection crews will need clear access to the unit. Contractor reserves the right to leave the appliance if removal may cause damage to the property or is otherwise impractical or unsafe. Customers must own the unit(s) being recycled. No purchase of new or replacement refrigerator or freezer units necessary for program participation. Limit two units per Georgia Power residential account per year.  Rebates are available to all Georgia Power residential customers. A check will be issued to the Georgia Power customer and will be mailed approximately 6-8 weeks after the appliance pickup. Rebates must be submitted, processed and received by the customer within one year from pickup date. Owner-occupied single family detached homes, condominiums and town homes are eligible to participate.

Offer valid on units scheduled to be picked up by December 15, 2019."

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Recycling & Disposing of Batteries

Recycling & Disposing of Batteries 

Simply put, a battery is a storage unit for electrical energy. With so many uses in the home, it's important to know which batteries can safely be thrown away in your household trash, and which batteries should be recycled or properly disposed of. 

Single Use Batteries

Single use batteries are the most common batteries in your home. They can be found throughout your house in remotes, flashlight, toys, etc. These types of batteries have been deemed non-hazardous and can be thrown into your trash can, in all states, except California, where it is illegal to thrown away any type of battery in your household trash. Recycling single use batteries is an option, although it is not cost free. 

Rechargeable Batteries

Rechargeable batteries are also quite common in households. They can be found in cameras, power tools, laptops, and most commonly, cell phones. These batteries contain hazardous materials and should be disposed of properly. There are a few different types of rechargeable batteries. Nickel metal hybrid and nickel cadmium batteries are found in electronics such as cameras, cordless phones and two-way radios. Lithium-ion batteries are found in portable devices such as cellular phones and lap tops. Small sealed lead acid batteries are less commonly found in the home, they are in items such as emergency exit signs, mobility scooters, and security systems. All of these batteries can, and should, be recycled. This can be done at no cost to you. 

Car Batteries

Old car batteries, especially lead-acid batteries, contain a lot of toxic chemicals. If a battery is irresponsibly thrown away at a landfill and left to rot in the ground, it will contaminate the soil with lead, acids and non biodegradable plastics. Lead is a particularly harmful element, not only highly toxic but also very difficult to clean up, having lasting effects in the environment. If you are getting a new battery installed, most shops will take the old battery for you.  Sometime these locations will charge you a core charge on the new battery for the old one or if you bring them a old battery (without exchange) they will give you an in store credit.  If you are replacing the battery yourself, you will need to find a recycling facility who will accept the batteries. Most recycling facilities charge a small fee. 

Why Is It Important?

Some batteries have potentially toxic metals in them. Ensuring that these metals do not end up in landfills prevent the toxic metals from leaking and polluting our water. Keeping our environment healthy, keeps us healthy!

Where Can I Recycle?

Most local and private transfer stations will accept batteries to be recycled, but they may charge a fee..  Also the big name hardware stores have drop off boxes.  Two websites to find a location near you are Call2Recycle and Energizer Batteries. 

To learn more about where and how to recycle your batteries, click HERE.

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China bans imports, what now?

CHINA BANS IMPORTS

Materials such as plastics, paper, and glass are usually set aside for recycling and shipped to overseas dumping grounds. However, last year China put a ban on the import of the items intended for reuse. So as citizens continue to sort their trash, what happens to the recyclable materials?

Since China has placed the ban last year, most of the materials that would usually go to those dumping grounds have been transported to Chester City, PA, where they use a Covanta incinerator to burn the materials. This new situation presents the risk of an increase of toxic pollution. Concerns for the health of the citizens of Chester City are growing, as experts say that burning plastic will create a new fog of dioxins that will worsen what is already an alarming health situation. Nearly 4 out of 10 children in Chester have asthma. The risk for ovarian cancer in Chester is 64% higher than the rest of the state and lung cancer risks are 24% higher. 

The debris is being shipped to Chester City from as far as New York City and North Carolina. The burning of this trash releases nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxides, and particulate matter (tiny fragments of debris that when inhaled can cause an array of problems).

“There are higher than normal rates of heart disease, stroke, and asthma in Chester, which are all endpoints for poor air,” said Marilyn Howarth, a public health expert at the University of Pennsylvania.  She states that as it is difficult to link any single case of cancer, heart disease, or asthma directly to a source, the emissions from Covanta contain known carcinogens so they absolutely increase the risk of cancer. 

Covanta says that pollution controls, such as scrubbers in smokestacks, will prevent the toxins from being emitted. They also argue that burning the materials is a better option than simply letting in pile up in landfills.

The Environmental Protection Agency is trying to come out with solutions to the dilemma. It's proving to be difficult as our country generates more than 250 million tons of waste a year, until recently China would take about 40% of that.

Since the ban has been issued from China, they haven't accepted 2 dozen different recycling materials, such as plastic, and mixed papers-unless they meet strict rules around contamination. The imported recycling has to be clean and unmixed-a standard that is too difficult for most cities in the US. 

We can all agree that the entire recycling system in the US will need to be overhauled to avoid environmental damage. 

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14 THINGS YOU DIDN'T KNOW YOU COULD RECYCLE

14 THINGS YOU DIDN'T KNOW YOU COULD RECYCLE

TOILETS

Recycling facilities can use the porcelain and turn it into concrete for roads and other paved areas.

CIGARETTES

This may be the most surprising! The waste from cigarettes can be re-purposed! The cigarettes and packaging are separated and melted down, turning into hard plastic pellets used for a variety of things!

TOOTHBRUSH

The standard toothbrush cannot be tossed into your recycling bin. It's made of hard plastic and nylon bristles. But in an effort to change the fate of many toothbrushes, Colgate and Sam's Club have both partnered with TerraCycle to recycle them.

OLD GREETING CARDS

It seems so wrong to throw them away but you can't keep adding to the drawer full of old cards, can you? Now, you can get rid of them and feel good about doing it! St. Jude's Ranch for Children accepts both new and used greeting cards of all occasions. They can recycle the cards to create new ones to sell. The money raised from the new cards will go towards abused and neglected homeless children.

PHONES, LAPTOPS, ELECTRONICS

There are several options for recycling e-waste. You can donate it to a school or non-profit if it still works properly. There are also electronics recyclers that take old devices to separate and then reuse the materials inside. Or you can also return the device to the manufacturer!

PRESCRIPTIONS

The safest way to recycle medications is through the drug store you received it from. Many pharmacies have mail-back programs at their stores where you can drop off your prescription drugs.

MAKE UP CONTAINERS

After you've gotten down to the last drop of your foundation, don't just toss the container into the trash. Many cosmetic companies offer a discount if you bring in your empty makeup containers.

SHAMPOO BOTTLES

Most shampoo, conditioner, and body wash containers can be recycled along with your plastic water bottles. Don't forget to rinse out the bottles before tossing into the recycling bin.

LIGHTS

When it's time for the Holidays you may be ready to start taking out your decor and lights. But there may be a few strands that have burned out, which you only discovered after untangling them all.

Instead of chucking them in the trash, there are programs that recycle them and pay you in return.

LIGHTLY USED BRAS

According to RedBook Magazine, the average woman owns 9 bras but only uses 6 of them. You can donate your lightly used bra to a local organization to distribute to women who can't afford them. 

COOKING OIL

As odd as it seems to recycle oil, the damage that oil can do to your plumbing makes it totally worth it! To start collecting oil for recycling simply designate a container for the used oil. You can take it to a local recycling center or even your fire department!

OLD GLASSES

You can give someone the gift of good vision! Several organizations will accept your old prescription glasses to help those with the same prescription as you to see better when they cannot afford their glasses!

ALUMINUM FOIL

If you clean your aluminum foil after using it you can take it to your local recycling center. Make sure it is not contaminated with food or oil. 

For more help on how/where to dispose of these items click HERE or HERE

As always use Bin There Dump That for all your dumpster needs!

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How To Dispose of Mattresses

HOW TO DISPOSE OF MATTRESSES

We all run across mattresses that have been improperly disposed of. They do not belong on the side of the road, at the bottom of a lake or in a field somewhere. To be responsible you need to dispose of it in safe way, one not causing harm to the earth or making it someone else's problem. 

If you are getting rid of your old mattress, you must have a new one! Ask the store where you have purchased your new mattress if they can haul off your old mattress when they deliver the new one. Some places do this for free and some may charge a small fee. 

Ask your local trash service if they can dispose of the mattress for you.

Check of byebyemattress.com. They have local recycling information available.

You can also use Google to try and find new ideas. It's important to dispose of them properly. 

Call Bin There Dump That for more information and all your dumpster needs!

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How To Dispose Of Your Old Christmas Tree

HOW TO DISPOSE OF YOUR OLD CHRISTMAS TREE

When the most wonderful time of the year comes to an end you're left with plenty to dispose of. Wrapping paper, packaging from endless toys and cardboard boxes. Most of this debris can be easily discarded. But what do you do with that old Christmas tree?

The "Keep Georgia Beautiful" foundation has an annual recycling program offered across various counties in the state. Their event "Bring One For The Chipper" is a great way to dispose of your Christmas tree. Since the program has started an estimated 5.9 million trees have been recycled. Mulch from these trees has been used for playground, local government beautification projects and individual yards. To learn more about this event click on your county below.

Cobb County Bring One For The Chipper

Douglas County Bring One For The Chipper

Paulding County Bring One For The Chipper

Carroll County Bring One For The Chipper

Floyd County Bring One For The Chipper

Fulton County Bring One For The Chipper

DeKalb County Bring One For The Chipper

Clayton County Bring One For The Chipper

Another popular way to get rid of those old trees is to sink them in local lakes and ponds. Christmas trees make great habitats for many species of fish. As woody plant tissue starts to decompose a whole new series of vegetation occurs (phytoplankton and various algaes). Zooplankton (AKA waterfleas) populate on this new vegetation attracting small insects, snails, crayfish etc who in turn attract the larger species we cherish. As the saying goes, "Find the bait and you'll find the fish."

Recycling is always the best option when it comes to your old Christmas trees. Giving back to the Earth that so graciously provided you with a tree is only fair. 

Click HERE to learn why burning your Christmas tree is never a safe option!

As always, if you have more than just an old tree to dispose of make sure you give Bin There Dump That Dumpster Rentals a call! 

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How To Dispose Of Paint In Less Than 5 Steps!

How To Dispose Of Paint In Less Than 5 Steps!

We are no different, everybody loves the look of a freshly painted house.  However, a common question that is asked when someone is renting a dumpster is, “May I put my wet paint, or paint cans in the bin as well?”  The answer to that question is yes and no. If the paint is 100% dry it can be put directly into the dumpster.  Wet paint has to be dried out and if you do not love watching paint dry, we have some tips to help speed up the process. Our tips are fairly easy and there is couple of ways of doing it.

Recommended Disposal Method 

The most common way is to simply mix the wet paint with cement and let it dry (this tip is for disposing of 1 gallon of paint, recipe can me adjusted to handle as much as needed). To do this you will need a plastic 5 gal. bucket with a lid, bagged cement, and a sturdy stir stick. Start by pouring the wet paint into the plastic bucket, then add the dry cement mix to the bucket. Use the sturdy stick to thoroughly mix the paint and cement mixture to a thick milkshake texture. Once you have made finished mixing set the bucket of cement paint and the empty paint can out to dry. It is that simple!

Sand, kitty litter, or saw dust can be used in lieu of cement.  The only down fall to using those materials is that is will take much longer to cure!

Most Cost Effective Way To Dispose Of Paint 

Another way is to simply let it dry out.  This will be difficult to do if it is left in the can, but you can spread it out on a cardboard box, plywood, or even a section of old carpet, increasing the surface area of the paint will make it dry faster. So, whip out the can opener and paint brushes to spend a few minutes painting the items you are disposing of anyway. 

Most Environmentally Friendly Disposal

The best and most environmentally friendly way is to recycle it.  The down fall is it can get a little pricey and may be hard to find locations that will accept wet paint.  You can call your local transfer station, county landfill, or sanitation department to see if they offer paint recycling or disposal.

If you are feeling philanthropic there are some charities that will accept paint for their use, some of these organizations would be Boy Scouts; they tend to run on a limited budget therefore most troops may take your paint. Some other options would be Habitat for Humanity, which takes in reusable construction and painting materials to build houses for those in need and Global Paint for Charity (located here in Atlanta), this program takes in leftover paint for volunteers to use on houses of the elderly, veterans, and widows so that they may keep their properties looking nice without out having to pay painter fees; they also ship the paint over seas and to cities in United States.

If you rent a dumpster from us, Bin There Dump That Dumpster Rentals of Atlanta,  you are allowed to dispose of paint using the cement or drying method.  We can reached at 404-692-2838, atl@bintheredumpthat.com, or online www.AtlantaDumpsterRentals.net.

How to Dispose of a used Mattress?

Ever been driving down the road and seen the dirty nasty mattress lying on the side? Why do people do this?  Probably because they are hard to dispose of, costly, no residential trash company will touch them, few dumpster companies will haul them, and just about every landfill or transfer station will not accept them!  Some states even have laws preventing them from ending up in landfills.

We have asked several locations why this is and we never get the same answer.  The two most common are the springs get caught in the tracks of the equipment and they take up too much space (do not compact).

With up to 20 million mattresses and box springs disposed of each year there is a need to deter them from landfills and to recycle them.  Each mattress/box spring has over 80% of recyclable materials.  These are:

• Fabric- Is sometimes already made of recycled material and can be recycled again for mattress or other industries (clothing, insulation).
• Springs and metal- melted and recycled for numerous applications.
• Foam- Is chopped up and used in padding (floor, sound, etc)
• Wood- Is recycled in pulp for paper, fuel, mulch, boxes, and much much more.

There is not much that can’t be recycled.

Now you are asking how do I get rid of this thing!  Well, there are a couple of options:

• The company you bought your new mattress through will sometimes dispose of your old one for free or a small fee.
• Dispose of it yourself.  Call your local transfer station or landfill to see if they accept them or if they recycle them.  Cost should run anywhere from $5 to $20 per mattress/box spring.
• Sell it on craigslist, letgo, a Facebook sale site, or any other outlet.
• Donate it.  This probably will take a lot  of time, but call around to organizations who might have a need for  something like this.  Some ideas:  Goodwill, Salvation Army, halfway houses, homeless shelters, domestic violence shelters, and  thrift/consignment  stores.  Some states have laws against resale of used mattress.
• Some areas have companies that deal only will mattress recycling. Try Googling mattress recycle.
• A majority of junk removal companies will remove and dispose of it (or any other junk).  The pros are you don't have to do much physical labor, but the con is that it will cost you approximately $100 to dispose off.
• Rent a dumpster.  If you have a bunch of other debris to dispose of this would be the economical way, but make sure you check first with the company to see if they will take them and if so is there any additional charge.

As far as we know Bin There Dump That Dumpsters of Atlanta is the only dumpster company in metro Atlanta that will accept your mattress or box spring; depending on your location.  Currently we only charge $15 each with a dumpster rental (subject to change). We can be reached by phone @ 404-692-2838, email Atl@BinThereDumpThat.com or check us out on the web www.AtlantaDumpsterRentals.net.