Dumpster Alternatives

Recycling

• Placing recyclable material into a recycle bin is one of the main alternatives to dumpster usage; however, not everything can be recycled. Common recyclable materials include glass, plastic, paper products, aluminum, steel, motor oil and car batteries. Some recycling services may even handle outdated and obsolete computer products. Because every community is different, individuals should check with their local recycling center to determine acceptable materials.

Compost

• Compost piles or pits are used as a dumpster alternative, reducing the amount of trash that needs to be disposed of via dumpster. As with recycling, not every kind of material is suitable for composting. Common compostable materials include grass clippings, hay, straw, wood chips, dead plants, fur and hair, animal manure, sawdust, leaves and rotten fruits and vegetables. Household compostable materials include clean paper products, cardboard, cracked eggshells, tea bags, coffee filters and grounds, shells from nuts, cotton and wool.

Trash Compactor

• A trash compactor, as its name implies, is a machine that compresses individual pieces of garbage together, which forms small units of garbage that are easily manageable and fill up less room within a dumpster. Trash compactors are capable of handling any type of material you would put into your ordinary household trash receptacle. For compacting trash on a larger scale, industrial trash compactors are also available.

Flexible Dumpster

• Among the newest innovations to hit the industry of waste management is a flexible, bag-like structure. This device is available in a convenient handheld package, which can be stored flat until it is needed. Once required, this structure can easily be set up and put in place by one person. When the bag has been filled, simply call your local waste management company to pick it up. This is an advantage when compared to traditional metal dumpsters, which require the use of a large truck to deliver, set up and remove. Couple this with reduced costs when compared to traditional metal dumpsters, and you have an innovative dumpster alternative that is a viable option for most tasks.