Starting a DIY project and realising it to completion, no matter the scale, can be a satisfying experience. It’s a testament to your hard work and willpower, and you deserve to feel every ounce of pride in your creation.
But, there’s just one aspect you shouldn’t overlook: your mounting pile of rubbish. While the DIY renovation may look great, the inevitable pile of accumulated debris is quite an eyesore.
But its unsightliness isn’t the only drawback. Neglecting the piled-up debris could pose a safety risk for you and your visitors. It could also detract from the beauty of your latest DIY addition.
So, before you sit back and enjoy your handiwork, take a moment to dispose of your rubbish. Efficient rubbish removal is essential not only for aesthetic reasons but also to ensure a safe and welcoming environment.
Here are six tips to help you sort out your construction and renovation rubbish effectively.
1. Understanding The Different Types of Renovation Waste
DIY projects can generate all sorts of waste materials. If you want to dispose of them effectively, it’s in your best interest to know and be able to differentiate these wastes.
Here are five of the most common waste byproducts people generate after a DIY renovation project:
- Inert waste: These wastes don’t have biological or chemical reactions. They’re heavy, take a long time to degrade, and recyclable. These include tiles, concrete, and sand.
- Wood waste: Wastes from tree trunks and tree barks fall under this category. This includes flooring and cut wood. They’re recyclable and examples include timber and oak.
- Metal scraps: Metal wastes that are taken from pipes, fixtures, or old appliances. They’re recyclable and can be sold to metal scrap dealers.
- Organic waste: This includes compostable materials such as plant matter and uprooted flora, usually taken from site cleanups. They should be thrown in designated collection points in your city.
- Hazardous waste: These wastes include chemicals like asbestos, paints, and solvents that don’t degrade naturally. They need to undergo special disposal procedures as they can seep into landfills and cause natural destruction.
On top of that, there’s also general rubbish like papers and small cardboard scraps that can accumulate.
In such cases, they would need to be thrown in the appropriate bin, which in Australia would be the yellow lid bin.
Once you’re familiar with the types of renovation waste, you can better break down your rubbish problem.
2. Keep Yourself Safe Before Getting Dirty
The clean-up process will bring you up close to the rubbish, which can be a hazardous experience if you’re not careful.
And the best way to combat this is by wearing the right cleaning attire to keep you safe.
Sturdy gloves are a must to protect your hands from chemicals and sharp objects. Safety goggles are also necessary, especially if you’re working in a dusty site.
Work boots with closed-toe features can help keep your feet safe. And being fully covered is a cherry on top to prevent contaminants from entering your skin.
If you don’t have this gear, you can borrow it from your family or friends. You can also enlist the aid of professionals like 1300 Rubbish to do the entire cleanup process for you instead.
3. Sort The Different Renovation Waste
Once you’ve identified the renovation waste, you’ll have to segregate it appropriately. Doing so makes cleanup significantly easier.
To start, you can designate zones in your lot for certain types of rubbish. Having labelled and separate rubbish containers for inert waste, wood, metal, organic, and hazardous materials helps a tonne.
When cleaning, be sure to avoid cross-contaminating objects. This can minimise environmental impact and help you lower your waste impact.
Your tasks don’t end after you’ve sorted your rubbish in the rubbish pile, however. You still have a few tasks you need to follow up on, especially if you want to maintain a clean footprint.
4. Use a Skip Bin For Larger Renovations
If your DIY renovation is large-scale, you can utilise a skip bin to throw your general waste items. The waste that can be thrown here includes timber, electrical wire, metals, plasterboard and soil, among other things.
A skip bin is the most efficient way to clear out any site efficiently, including renovation sites. These bins are typically used for domestic and industrial uses; however, they can accommodate minor DIY home projects too to an extent.
Skip bins aren’t like dumpster sites in that they can be seen in every block. They are usually provided by cleaning services and are provided in different sizes.
These rubbish services can sort out the waste themselves (if the rubbish is still unsorted) and dispose of it or recycle the waste accordingly. While these professionals are the final handlers of the waste, it’s best to be a responsible citizen and refrain from overloading the bin beyond its intended capacity.
Hiring a skip bin provider can be a saving grace for busy renovators or those with large pieces of rubbish. So if you’re feeling overwhelmed, try searching for a provider in your area, or take it a step further and look for full-scale cleaning services instead.
5. Dispose of Hazardous Chemicals With Care
The average household is home to many dangerous substances and products. These products contain chemical elements that can cause grave harm to the environment. These include pesticides, batteries, petrol, cleaning products, swimming pool chemicals, and more.
Each type of waste has a unique disposal method in Australia. However, a general rule of thumb for these goods is to seal the dangerous substance in a container and refrain from mixing it with other chemicals.
Store chemical substances in lids before disposal. For batteries, ensure that they’re not packaged with flammable material. Also, ensure that the final disposal area is dry and relatively cool.
Electronics can be recycled through a local recycling program in Australia and other countries. Chemicals and medications should be thrown in special waste treatment companies. This differs per jurisdiction, so be sure to read up on the right place to throw your chemicals online.
6. Can’t Be Bothered to Clean? Hire a Rubbish Removal Service
If you want a fresh house look without all the follow-up hassle that comes with it, you may consider hiring rubbish removal services.
These service providers do all the cleaning for you, from start to finish. This can be incredibly useful for people who have busy schedules or simply don’t have the energy or time to clean.
Besides their cleaning expertise, most cleanup services also follow the best recycling practices. You don’t have to worry about worsening your carbon footprint with these types of professionals around.
Whether you choose to clean by yourself, with a friend, or with professionals, it’s imperative that you prioritise keeping yourself safe.
Happy cleaning!
