Author: Dumpster Diva

Do you want to ditch the old carpeting for a new one? Carpets make our house interiors, offices, and even car interiors super cozy and bring out the perfect design to your home. However, we use these carpets without much thought on how they are manufactured and how you can discard the worn-out carpet. If you are a sustainability steward-whether at home or in workplaces and business, then you might want to consider recycle your carpeting in Los Angeles.

There are affordable carpet recycling facilities like the American Reclamation that offer carpet recycling services in Los Angeles. As the premier carpet and foam padding recycling facility with CARE’s support (Carpet America Recovery Effort), you can drop off your old carpeting at our facility at competitive rates. Alternatively, we can provide a temporary dumpster and pick up services for your residential carpets.

Should you recycle your carpeting? Below are five reasons to recycle your carpeting in Los Angeles.

Recycling your carpeting is cost-effective.

Dumping your carpeting at a local landfill may sound like an easy way to dispose of your waste carpets. However, it will cost you more time and money to remove and toss it away at a landfill, especially if you live in Los Angeles, where landfill space is expensive. 

Working with a certified carpet recycling facility is cost-effective, and you will have a team of professionals to handle all the leg work for you. What’s more, carpet recycling rates remain competitively low, so it is more practical for homeowners and businesses to recycle.

When you recycle your carpeting, you protect the environment.

Needlessly filling up the landfills with old carpeting is hazardous to our environment. Statistics show that Americans dump over 3.9 million tons of carpeting each year. And despite the majority of carpet components being recyclable, only five percent of waste carpets get recycled. The larger portion of the waste carpets at the landfill emits dangerous greenhouse gases, and those that end in the waste-to-energy facilities consume more energy, which is costly. 

When you recycle your carpeting, you help reduce the amounts of waste carpets and rugs that end up in the landfills. And ultimately reduce the emission of hazardous greenhouse gas to the environment and also save energy. 

You help your city achieve its carpet recycling goals.

Many states and cities have carpet recycling goals to achieve. California, for example, has carpet recycling laws to help achieve these goals. The main reason for enacting such laws is to increase the recovery and diversion of carpeting material into useful products. 

When you recycle your carpeting, you help your city achieve its carpet reclamation goals. Also, you can earn incentives and rewards like LEED if you are a business for recycling carpets.  

It preserves natural resources.

Recycling a post-consumer carpet helps generate raw materials like fiber and plastic pellets that can manufacture new rugs, automobile products, carpet cushions, plastic lumber, carpet tiles, and so much more. Producing these products using recycled carpeting preserves the natural resources from depletion.

Recycling your carpeting in Los Angeles helps hold manufacturers responsible.

Another critical reason to recycle your carpeting is that you will help hold carpet manufacturers responsible. Did you know that some carpeting manufacturers have take-back programs? You can take back old carpets and rugs to your manufacturer for recycling. They must adhere to state laws on carpet recycling. 

Additionally, choosing to recycle your carpeting in Los Angeles boosts the economy as it creates more jobs and guarantees affordable and quality products. 

Are you looking for a carpet recycling facility in Los Angeles? American Reclamation uses innovative strategies to offer competitive carpet recycling services in Los Angeles. Whether you are a business, institution, or homeowner looking for professional services, we’ve got your back. Contact us!

 

Do you want to go green at home and don’t know where or how to start? Making your home eco-friendly is easy, and it is one of the best ways to protect our environment and save finances. But what does a green home mean?

Going green at home means that you adopt a lifestyle that reduces waste and environmental pollution, conserving energy and resources. The green home lifestyle has both economic, environmental, and health benefits. And below are ten ways to go green at home.

1. Recycle and reuse

Recycling and reusing items is one of the best ways to go green at home. In a consumer-driven world, it is no surprise that we generate a lot of trash that can harm our environment. Be environmentally conscious when shopping and find a way to recycle and reuse before purchasing a new item. Also, consider buying recyclable and reusable items.  

2. Repair before replacing with a new one.

Replacing an item at home every time it breaks down means adding more garbage to the landfill and wasting more resources. Before you consider replacing a broken item at home, try to repair it to extend its life and make the dumpsite less one garbage. 

3. Cut on plastic use.

Try to cut on buying and using plastic products whenever possible. Replace plastic water bottles with reusable ones and avoid one-use plastic cups, straws, and plates. You can also avoid plastic-packaged cleaning products by making yours at home using items like vinegar, lemon juice, and baking soda. Use plastic containers at home to store things like organizing toys as a way to reuse.

4. Use insulations on walls, windows, and doors.

Conserving energy at home is also another way to go green. Consider insulating your walls, windows, and doors to save energy. By insulating your home, you help maintain a favorable temperature without necessarily turning on the heater during winter and keeping it cooler during summer.

5. Donate items you don’t use.

It is easy to hoard or want to toss away items you don’t use. Piling junk at home or disposing of it at the landfill without considering donating does more harm to the environment. Donate items you don’t use for recycling or reuse and help promote a green home. 

6. Make your compost.

Minimize your carbon footprint and make your home green by composting at home. Create a backyard compost to compost food waste and other green matter and make organic fertilizers for your garden. Alternatively, you can prepare and donate food waste to composting facilities near you. 

7. Use efficient home appliances.

Have you ever considered using efficient home appliances? Like kitchen and laundry appliances that use less energy and conserve water? They might be a bit costly but are of good quality, efficient and last longer hence will save you money and are eco-friendly. Check the appliance’s rating when buying to ensure that they are energy or water efficient.

8. Invest in reusable bags.

Imagine the amount of disposable shopping bags you generate every time you go shopping. Going green at home starts from your kitchen. Consider using reusable bags and shopping in bulk to cut on the amounts of waste you produce, especially waste plastic bags. 

9. Cut down paper towels use.

Another way to boost greenness at home is to cut down on the paper towel use. Paper towels and napkins are a significant source of home waste, and you can reduce this by using washable dish towels and napkins. 

10. Green remodel your home.

Consider green remodeling if you are planning to remodel your home. From the sourcing of remodeling materials, actual remodel to disposal of the debris, ensure that you consider green practices. You can consider using renewable energy sources like solar and green building methods. 

Do you have any other ways to go green at home? Leave your comment. Talk to American Reclamation for all your waste management and green waste disposal needs.

 

A study shows that plastic debris in the ocean is a significant threat to sea turtles, sea birds, and other marine mammals. Over 267 marine species are in grave danger due to mismanaged trash in the water bodies. Plastic is the most hazardous trash in the ocean because it doesn’t break down quickly. These plastics remain on the surface, suspended, or at the bottom of the ocean, causing harmful effects to the ecosystem. And to think that the world produces over 300 million tons of plastic materials each year means that we need to take immediate action.

If you plan to help keep trash out of the ocean, you are in the right place. With little actions and environmental consciousness, you can help keep our oceans clean.

Where is the source of trash in the ocean?

When you see trash in the ocean, you might think that they are only litter from beachgoers. While it is true, debris in the ocean or sea can also originate from residential homes, streets, and landfills. Wind can blow out trash from dumpsters, trash bins, roads, and dumps into the sewer/storm drains that lead to a river and ultimately into the ocean. These trash accumulates in the ocean with plastics breaking down into microplastics due to the intense solar heat.

Recycle plastics as much as possible

One of the best and effective ways to help keep trash out of the ocean is proper garbage disposal, recycling, and reusing. Put recyclable plastics in your curbside recycling bin or return them to your local grocery store. You can also check with your area municipality about the recycling of plastics. Remember, not all plastics are recyclable, and it is crucial to know the type of plastics you are using. There are codes in each plastic product that show if it is recyclable. You can contact American Reclamation if you need help with recycling.

Avoid the use of single-use plastics.

Taking action on the source to keep garbage out of the ocean is also another direct and best way. This means that you avoid using single-use plastics like straws, plastic water bottles, plastic utensils, take-out containers, and plastic bags. There are alternative reusable products to these single-use plastics you can opt for instead of using plastics. Ask for reusable grocery bags when you visit your grocery store, carry reusable utensils whenever you need to and avoid products used once at all costs.

Be part of a river cleanup.

Another way to keep our oceans trash-free is by keeping trash out before it reaches the ocean. And this can be through a river cleanup. Rivers connecting with the ocean are some of the trash channels where they accumulate over time and end up in the ocean. You can organize a river cleanup with your community or check if non-profit organizations plan river cleaning events in your area. Go to the river and pick up trash before it gets to the ocean.

At American Reclamation, we join efforts with local communities in removing trash from our rivers, and you can send us a quick message if you have an upcoming river cleanup event.

Pick up after yourself when you go to the beach.

Imagine the amount of trash in the ocean if everyone left garbage on the beach. Pick up trash you generate while at the beach and discard them properly. You can also visit your local beach and collect waste as an individual or organize a team to clean up the coast.

You can play a role as an individual in keeping our oceans clean by doing little things like proper trash disposal and recycling—volunteer to clean up and support plastic ban movements.

American Reclamation is here to support your efforts in keeping trash out of the ocean. Contact us for a dumpster rental and keep our Los Angeles community and environment clean.

Do you have potentially harmful junk within your property or business premises? Often, there are gray areas when it comes to toxic debris, and they may end up in the drainage, sewers, yard, or you may end up mixing them with clean recyclables. Hazardous waste is any substance, whether solid, liquid, or gas, that can cause substantial and irreparable harm to human health or the environment. Every time you generate waste, including household, it is imperative to understand the type of junk you are handling. This hazardous waste disposal guide can help protect you and your community.

Types of Hazardous Waste

The first step to take when handling hazardous materials is to understand the toxic waste type and nature. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) puts hazardous waste into four categories. Hazardous waste can be;

• Ignitable. This type of waste is highly flammable and can catch fire. Examples of these dangerous waste include gasoline, kerosene, propane containers, paint, petroleum waste, etc. The containers used to store these products are hazardous, too, and you need to be careful while handling them.
• Corrosive. Any substance/product that can corrode metal and other materials or dissolve the flesh is hazardous. These substances are often in a liquid state (acid/base), and examples are some cleaning products you have at home that contain acid or base, battery acid, and rust removers. Handle products with strong acids or bases carefully.
• Reactive. Waste that can quickly explode under certain temperatures or produce toxic gases and fumes is also hazardous and falls under the reactive category. Mostly, these wastes contain cyanides or sulfides. They can also release poisonous fumes—gases or vapors when in contact with water. An example of this waste is the product stored in aerosol containers.
• Toxic. These are lethal wastes that can be fatal if you ingest or dump them on the ground. Also, they can release harmful substances into the groundwater. Wastes that contain mercury, lead, or any other heavy metals are toxic. Some of the poisonous wastes can be paints, oils, or wood waste with Penta.

With the above breakdown, it is no surprise that you may have some under your kitchen sink at home, in your garage area, office, or even on construction sites. The key, however, is to understand proper hazardous waste disposal and storage.

How to Store Dangerous Materials

Collecting and storing common waste may be as simple as pick up and toss. However, you need to be cautious, even if it is household hazardous waste. Once you understand that you are handling hazardous substances, take the measures below to ensure your and others’ safety, and protect the environment.

• Keep hazardous waste in their original containers/packaging with labels intact.
• Never mix these materials or substances. Mixing the waste for disposal can damage recyclables or react when you combine two or more hazardous materials.
• Keep hazardous waste out of reach for children and pets.
• Be careful when handling empty containers with hazardous waste residue.

Hazardous Waste Disposal Tips

• Follow handling and disposal guidelines on the label.

Products come with labels that have guidelines on how to use and safely discard substances after use. You must read these guidelines to understand how to handle its waste safely.

• Understand your local regulations concerning hazardous waste.

It’s important, however, to know that each county has regulations on how to dispose of hazardous waste. Learn about these rules before you attempt to dispose of dangerous waste. You can check on your county website or ask your waste management company for more hazardous waste information. Call American Reclamation if you need information on places you can take hazardous materials, as these cannot be dumped in a dumpster container. 

• Let a waste management company handle your hazardous waste.

The best way to guarantee the safe disposal of hazardous waste is to hire a professional that specializes in disposing of hazardous materials. Waste management and recycling facilities can help you pick up and dispose of dangerous waste at a small fee. You can also ask your local authority if they offer to drop off services for hazardous junk.

 

Hazardous waste disposal can be a hassle, but it’s vital to your safety and the safety of your community that it is done properly.

 

Are you planning to upgrade parts or the whole of your home? There are different reasons you may want to renovate. Maybe you want to add value and make your home more appealing, get the best return on investment on resale, or both. Going by the data by Remodeling, not all home improvements give a good return on investment. And considering the high cost of remodeling materials, you need to be cautious and focus on home projects with the best ROI.

Doing home renovations that improves the curb appeal and functionality will give you more ROI, and below are home projects with some of the best return on investment.

Five home projects with the best ROI.

 

1. Add stone veneer

 

Adding a stone veneer to your house is one of the renovation projects that can recoup over 95% of the project cost during resale. A stone veneer is a manufactured stone that gives your home a natural look, hence adding to its curb appeal. The stone veneer is a combination of lightweight materials, portland cement, and iron oxide. Compared to natural stone, a stone veneer is cheaper and lightweight. You will need a stone veneer pro to help you install this faux stone on your wall.

2. Minor kitchen remodel

You don’t have to do a kitchen overhaul to get the best resale value. Sometimes minor kitchen remodels can give you tremendous results. According to research, the cost of a minor kitchen remodel is $23,452 on average, and you can resale at $18,206 recouping 77.6%. This is the best return compared to a significant kitchen remodel that will attract 53.9% return on resale. 

When doing a minor kitchen remodel, it is crucial to focus on efficiency. You can replace the oven and refrigerators with more energy-efficient ones, install new sinks with low-flow faucets, work on the flooring, apply fresh paint on the walls, and add new hardware.

3. Siding replacement 

Siding replacement is another remodeling project that increases the curb appeal and gets you a great return on investment. You can replace the siding with fiber cement or vinyl and get an average of 77.6% and 74.7% ROI, respectively. Each of these sidings has its pros and cons, and you should do more research before settling on any. The fiber cement is more sustainable and non-combustible while vinyl, on the other hand, is lightweight, easy to install, and requires low maintenance.

4. Garage door replacement

Has your garage door seen better days? Garage door replacement is not a waste of time and resources. Let your home pop out with a new garage door that will bring in 94.5% ROI. The first impression of your home is the garage door, and you are better off improving the garage door with a modern garage door that comes with a lifetime warranty. Try a 4-section garage door on a galvanized steel track with half-inch insulated glass windows on top for security and efficiency. 

5. Replace the windows with vinyl

Whether you live in scalding-hot areas or freezing-cold regions, energy-efficient windows are one of the home improvements you can invest in and get the best returns. The energy-saving windows are long-lasting, come in different sizes, and require no maintenance. According to costs versus value data, it will cost you an average of $17,641 to upgrade to vinyl windows, and you will get back 72.3% of the total cost.

Invest in home improvements that offer the best value.

Curb appeal and efficiency are the centers of focus for existing and new homeowners. If you need to do home improvement projects, it is best to research your local area’s return on investments. 

 

When you’re ready to tackle a home improvement project, don’t forget about the debris removal. That’s where American Reclamation comes in. As the leader in Los Angeles area dumpster rentals, we support the LA community with high quality service and affordable dumpster rentals. Contact us today or book online.