If
you just tore down a building, you want to make sure that you dispose
of everything properly. However, you may make the mistake of
disposing of items that shouldn't go in a dumpster and creating a
potentially problematic — or even dangerous — situation. Never
throw the four items mentioned below in a dumpster after you demolish
a building.
1.
Computer Monitors
Many
old business buildings likely have a large number of computers left
over from past companies. These computer monitors probably seem safe
to throw in a dumpster but can become an issue quickly. For example,
a monitor contains many chemicals and electronic components that
could go bad. Some monitors may even burst or explode without proper
disposal.
Avoid
this problem by searching out high-quality electronic disposal
companies near you. Often, these companies will recycle these
monitors and may pay you money for them. If you want to avoid the
intermediary, seek out an electronic recycling company and take the
monitors there yourself. You'll save yourself the trouble and likely
make a little extra money.
2.
Hard Drives
Where
you find computer monitors, you're likely to find a large number of
hard drives. Don't dispose of these devices in a dumpster as a
courtesy to the old owner. Hackers and potentially shady individuals
may dumpster dive and find these old hard drives. They may then get
access to delicate information that could compromise those who
previously owned them.
Thankfully,
many hard drive disposal experts exist who can carefully wipe and
destroy these hard drives for you. If you don't feel like that kind
of extra work, you can likely smash up the hard drive with hammers
instead. Like with monitors, though, you can also take hard drives to
a recycling company to get a little extra cash.
3.
Potentially Delicate Paperwork
In
the basement of many buildings, you may find old paperwork that has
delicate information. For example, a former medical facility may have
patient data with Social Security numbers and more. Never throw this
information in a dumpster for the same reason as hard drives: smart
individuals could steal a person's identity with this information.
Instead,
try to contact the owners of the building to learn more about who
operated in the building in the past. The owner may help you discover
the source of these papers. If you can't find anybody who may have
owned this information, burn or shred the paperwork to protect the
well-being of others.
4.
Flammable Chemicals
In
some buildings, you may find cans or containers of various types of
flammable fluids and chemicals that need proper disposal. For
example, some types of paint, gasoline, oil, paint thinners, liquid
medicines, and other types of fluids may be common in many
businesses. Never throw these items in a dumpster, no matter how
strong their storage containers feel to you.
Instead,
contact the EPA to get them to take care of the situation. These
government professionals will check out what chemicals you found and
will take them away for proper disposal. Make sure to inspect the
demolition site, too, to spot containers with leaks. If these
containers leak, you may need to clean the area before you continue
with further demolition.
We
Can Help You
If
you just destroyed a building and aren't sure what to throw in your
dumpster, please contact us at E.S.P
Waste & Disposal Service
to
get help. Our experts will help you find a trash receptacle that is
right for you and provide you with advice on what items are safe to
throw in a dumpster and which you should probably manage in other
ways.
