Recycling Myths Debunked

Debunking the Most Common Recycling Myths and Misconceptions

Did you know that, in the United States, we generate about 250 million tons of trash every day? More than half of that ends up in landfills, mostly because people are confused about recycling. It’s not like recycling is a new concept, so why is there still confusion? Even though most Americans have a favorable opinion of recycling, people are confused about recycling and unsure that things they put in the bin are actually recycled, so only about half of recyclable materials actually make it into recycling. It’s time to put an end to the misinformation and clear up common recycling myths.

Recycling Myths vs Recycling Facts

• Myth: All recycling programs are the same.
  • Fact: Recycling varies, depending on where you live. Some facilities can only accept certain types of plastic, while some can’t handle glass or mixed materials. Always check local guidelines so that you can recycle correctly.
• Myth: It’s ok to skip cleaning the recyclables.
  • Fact: When you recycle items without cleaning them, you can contaminate the entire batch of recyclables, and they won’t be suitable for processing. Always rinse food containers, dump out leftover liquids, and never put dirty or greasy materials into recycling.
• Myth: Recycling isn’t worth it because it uses more energy than it saves.
  • Fact: Recycling conserves energy because it reduces the need for raw materials, and fewer pollutants are used when manufacturing with recycled materials. For example, making new aluminum from raw materials uses 95 percent more energy than using recycled materials.
• Myth: Putting a few wrong items in with your recycling doesn’t matter.
  • Fact: One wrong item can ruin an entire load of recyclables. Plastic bags, non-recyclable plastics, and things like Styrofoam will make the load impossible to process. Always check local guidelines, and don’t put things in recycling with the hope that they’ll be accepted, even if they’re not on the list.
• Myth: Recycling is too hard.
  • Fact: While it may seem like more work to recycle, it can really be very simple. Set yourself and your family up for success by learning the local guidelines and setting up easily accessible recycling bins at home.

Interesting Facts About Recycling Globally

So, we know that the United States is not great at recycling, and in fact we have an overall recycling rate of 34 percent. We’re not the worst, though: Turkey and Chile are tied at 1 percent. But which country is the best in the world at recycling? Germany is consistently at the top of the list, with a 65 percent recycling rate. The country who is improving the fastest is Poland, which has increased its recycling rate by 886 percent over the past couple of decades. Other quickly improving countries include Ireland, Estonia, and the UK, and South Korea, Austria, Belgium, Slovenia, Sweden, and Switzerland all have recycling rates above 50 percent. It’s important that we all get on board, as it is estimated that the waste generated by humans is going to more than triple over the next century.

Bonus: Lesser Known Fun Facts About Recycling

How many of these recycling facts do you already know?

• It takes about 1,000 years for a plastic bag to decompose.
• Globally, enough plastic is trashed each year to circle the earth four times; the US is responsible for the largest share of it.
• Recycling one ton of paper saves 7,000 gallons of water, and paper is the largest waste product of offices.
• Glass is 100% recyclable, and can be recycled infinitely without loss of quality.
• Recycling one glass bottle saves enough energy to power a 100W lightbulb for 4 hours.
• In the US we throw away enough glass bottles each year to fill up over 17 Empire State buildings.
• An aluminum can that is recycled will be back on the grocery store shelf within 60 days.

How to Recycle Smarter

What can you do to make sure you are part of the solution? First, learn your local regulations. In most of Massachusetts, single-stream recycling (also called mixed recycling) is in place. This means that many different recyclables are collected in a single cart. What can you put in our state’s mixed recycling carts?

• Cardboard
• Newspapers, magazines, and inserts
• Mail, junk mail, and envelopes
• Boxboard and paper cartons
• Office papers and file folders
• Plastic containers (#1-#7) and large, rigid plastics
• Glass bottles and jars
• Page and tin

Smart recyclers know what belongs in the recycling cart and what doesn’t, and they are careful to keep trash separate. To recycle smarter, never put hazardous waste in your recycling, clean out all food containers, and make sure all cans and bottles are dry and empty. Flatten cardboard boxes, and be careful not to overfill your recycling cart.

Recycling is Easy When You Partner with B-P Trucking

For recycling and every other facet of waste management, contact B-P Trucking for the highest quality of service. We provide a wide variety of commercial recycling services for businesses and single-stream recycling for residential customers, to make it easy to recycle at home. Founded in 1965 as a small rubbish company, our family-owned and operated business now provides top-tier waste management and recycling services to communities throughout Massachusetts and the surrounding states. Our customers count on us to stay at the cutting edge of a rapidly changing industry, providing the highest quality of service, backed by the experience, vehicles, equipment, and knowledge necessary to exceed our customers’ expectations. Our commitment to excellence and our highly trained service personnel make us industry leaders, providing commercial, industrial, and residential customers with successful, innovative, and financially efficient waste management that evolves to meet their changing needs. To learn more about our comprehensive waste management services, contact us through our website.

Waste Management for Small Businesses

Why Effective Waste Management Is Key for Small Businesses

When you are a small business owner, every aspect of your business management counts. Sometimes, it may seem to you like every item on your to do list needs to be the top priority, and this can be overwhelming. This is why it pays to make mindful decisions about systems that can be put in place and do their job without too much thought on your part. When it comes to waste management, choosing the right company as a partner can be the key not only to dealing with waste efficiently but also to making your business more sustainable and environmentally friendly. (more…)

Why Four-Yard Dumpsters Are Perfect for Small-Scale Waste Needs

Top Benefits of Choosing a 4-Yard Dumpster for Waste Removal

Whether you are renovating a home, doing some landscaping, or removing waste from your business, renting a dumpster is an efficient method of waste management. Not only is a dumpster convenient and versatile, but it also enhances your safety by helping to contain any debris that could pose a hazard. Further, when you work with a dumpster company, you are engaging with professionals who know how to dispose of waste responsibly and in compliance with local regulations.

What is a 4-Yard Dumpster?

A 4-yard dumpster is a moderately sized dumpster, which holds roughly four cubic yards of trash. 4-yard dumpsters are popular because they don’t take up much space and yet hold enough garbage to significantly aid in the efficient management of garbage. Whether you are running a business and want to keep your space free from debris, or you are working on a project and need uncluttered space in which to work, a 4-yard dumpster can easily hold enough garbage to keep you from having to worry about overflow.

Top Benefits of 4-Yard Dumpsters

There are some very compelling reasons to rent a 4-yard dumpster for your waste management needs.

• 4-yard dumpsters are cost-effective. Striking a balance between size and cost, these dumpsters can hold a good amount of waste without wasting space, yet won’t need to be emptied as frequently as smaller dumpsters. Either way, you save money.
• You benefit the environment when you use a dumpster. By efficiently managing waste, in partnership with a responsible company, you are promoting sustainability and eco-consciousness.
• A 4-yard dumpster is very versatile. Because of its moderate size, a 4-yard dumpster can handle just about any project without taking up too much space.
• Space efficiency is important when you are choosing a dumpster. Whether you need to put it on a residential property or adjacent to a business, a dumpster that doesn’t take up much space or obscure sight lines is beneficial.

When a 4 Yard Dumpster Rental is the Best Choice

A 4-yard dumpster works well for large home renovations or extensive landscaping projects. These dumpsters will also work well for a medium-sized business, like a restaurant or retail store. For events like weddings, large parties, or moderately sized community gatherings, a 4-yard dumpster is likely the best option for the amount of waste that will be generated.

4 Yard Dumpster Dimensions and How This Compares to Other Sizes

A 4-yard dumpster is 6 feet long, 4.5 feet wide, and 4 feet high. This makes it popular with small businesses because it can easily fit in an alleyway or alongside a building without obstructing sightlines or crowding a small space. Even with its small size, this dumpster holds a significant amount of waste. About 800 pounds of waste, 24 to 30 13-gallon trash bags, will fit in a 4-yard dumpster. To put this into perspective, a 2-yard dumpster holds 12 to 15 trash bags, and a 6-yard dumpster holds 40 to 45 trash bags.

How Big is a 4 4-yard dumpster? Tips for Making the Most of Your Dumpster

Now you know how many trash bags a 4-yard dumpster will hold, but if much of your waste will not be neatly bagged, how do you make the most of it? Don’t use it to dispose of anything particularly bulky, like appliances, or anything that could be recycled. This includes electronics, which are typically restricted from dumpsters, and are better disposed of through an e-waste program. Efficiently utilize all of the space in your 4-yard dumpster by planning strategically. Break down anything large, put heavier items on the bottom, and neatly stack items like boxes to effectively use the dumpster’s vertical space.

Is a 4-Yard Dumpster Right for You?

We hope the information presented here is useful as you are deciding on a dumpster. To make the right choice, think about how much waste you are likely to generate, as well as how much space you have available for dumpster placement. If you have any further questions, contact us and we will help you come up with the optimal waste management solution for your situation.

Contact B-P Trucking for Your Dumpster and Waste Management Needs

From dumpsters to recycling to compost, whenever you need waste management, contact B-P Trucking for the highest quality of service. Founded in 1965 as a small rubbish company, our family-owned and operated business now provides top-tier waste management and recycling services to communities throughout Massachusetts and the surrounding states. Our customers count on us to stay at the cutting edge of a rapidly changing industry, providing the highest quality of service, backed by the experience, vehicles, equipment, and knowledge necessary to exceed our customers’ expectations. Our commitment to excellence and our highly trained service personnel make us industry leaders, providing commercial, industrial, and residential customers with successful, innovative, and financially efficient waste management that evolves to meet their changing needs. To learn more about our comprehensive waste management services, contact us through our website.

How to Choose a Bulk Junk Hauler

Top Things to Know Before Booking a Bulk Junk Hauler

When you are faced with a large cleanout, whether it is emptying a home, renovating a business, or clearing someone’s estate, it can feel overwhelming. The sheer enormity of this kind of project can feel like too much, and it can be hard to get started. First, take a breath. Now consider this: hiring a bulk junk hauler to deal with the things you need to get rid of can make your life easier in myriad ways. With professional help, you can save time dealing with things that are no longer needed, and a professional can do the job safely, in full compliance with local regulations. You won’t have to take the time to figure out the proper way to dispose of everything when an expert junk hauler is there not only to haul away unwanted things, but also to provide a comprehensive plan to dispose of your junk responsibly and with an eye towards sustainability and eco-consciousness.

Assess Your Need for a Commercial Junk Hauler

How do you know if you need a junk hauler? Take some time to evaluate your situation. Is your environment cluttered and disordered? Does thinking about the number of things you need to clear out give you a feeling of stress? Clutter, whether in a residential or commercial space, can have detrimental effects, negatively impacting productivity as well as causing stress and anxiety. Think about the scope of your project. Is it a small cleanout or are you emptying an entire property? What is involved in your junk cleanout? Construction materials, landscaping debris, broken furniture, and old electronics all require different handling. Understanding the job you need to have done can help you find the right company to do it. Before you contact a professional junk hauler, know the extent of the project, your time frame, and your budget, so that you can ask the right questions and find a company that meets your needs and aligns with your values.

For Large Hauls or Small Dumpster Rentals, Proper Licensing and Insurance Matter

Once you know exactly what you need, you can begin narrowing down the companies you are considering. First, you can look for companies that offer the right services to handle your job. Next, check into the companies on your list, to make sure they are properly licensed and insured. Regardless of the size of your project, it is important to choose a company that has the proper licensing and insurance, and adheres to all local waste management regulations. Going with an inexperienced hauler, or a business that isn’t insured, can result in property damage, accidents, and headaches you don’t need. For your own protection, go with a well-established company with a solid reputation.

Evaluate Experience When Hiring a Company for Waste Management & Dumpster Rental

The next thing to look for in a hauling company is the breadth of their experience. Look for a company that has a proven track record and has been around for a good length of time. A locally-owned business with roots in your community will be well acquainted with the needs of local homeowners and businesses, and will remain compliant with local rules while working with you. Read up on the business through their website, but check internet reviews, too, to look for satisfied clients. You can ask for referrals, too, because your goal is to hear about the company’s service, speed, and overall attitude, so that you can be confident that you are working with professionals.

Check Recycling and Disposal Practices

Responsibly handling items when disposing of them is important, and the company you choose should make eco-friendly disposal methods a priority. Ask about their policies in terms of their disposal methods. Some appropriate, environmentally friendly ways to dispose of junk include donating gently used items to charity and recycling things like paper, plastic, and glass.

Consider Customer Service and Scheduling Flexibility

If you can’t seem to get in touch with a person when you are trying to create a plan, or the company can’t work within your schedule, that’s a clear sign that it’s not the right company for your project. Look for a company that prioritizes high-quality customer service, and will work with your schedule and accommodate your needs. Make sure the company has an experienced staff, along with the vehicles and equipment necessary to handle your project.

Red Flags to Avoid with Dumpster Rental and Waste Management

As with any business, there are warning signs to note when choosing a junk hauling company for dumpster rental and waste management. If a company won’t provide references, or has bad customer reviews, it is best to avoid working with them. Avoid, too, any hauling company without licensing or insurance, because in case of an accident you could be held responsible for the expense. Before you make an agreement with a company, be sure the payment terms are clear. Don’t work with a company who is vague about the quote, has prices that seem too good to be true, or asks to be paid upfront.

Choose the Right Junk Hauler with Confidence When You Contact B-P Trucking

From junk haulers to recycling to compost, whenever you need waste management, contact B-P Trucking for the highest quality of service. Founded in 1965 as a small rubbish company, our family-owned and operated business now provides top-tier waste management and recycling services to communities throughout Massachusetts and the surrounding states. Our customers count on us to stay at the cutting edge of a rapidly changing industry, providing the highest quality of service, backed by the experience, vehicles, equipment, and knowledge necessary to exceed our customers’ expectations. Our commitment to excellence and our highly trained service personnel makes us industry leaders, providing commercial, industrial, and residential customers with successful, innovative, and financially efficient waste management that evolves to meet their changing needs. To learn more about our comprehensive waste management services, contact us through our website.