Best Practices for Recycling While Using Commercial Dumpster Rental

Connecticut law has required every business, institution, and commercial property to recycle certain designated materials since 1991, and the Town of Windsor (and nearby municipalities) reinforces that duty through its own ordinances. Owners, lessees, and occupants of nonresidential establishments must keep recyclables out of the regular waste stream and can’t be sending loads that contain a substantial volume of recyclable material to disposal. When a commercial dumpster rental is placed on a site in our area, it’s important to bear in mind that the recyclables can’t just be thrown in with the regular trash.

Best Practices for Recycling While Using Commercial Dumpster Rental

Rent a Dedicated Recycling Dumpster

Ask the rental company for a single-stream recycling dumpster or a set of recycling carts at the same time you order the general-waste roll-off. Local haulers that serve Windsor already offer these containers for commercial customers. Single-stream recycling typically accepts clean paper, flattened cardboard, boxboard, rinsed glass and metal food containers, and plastics 1–7. Food-soiled items, plastic bags, Styrofoam, and wet paper go in the trash dumpster

Keep Recyclables Clean and Dry

Food residue, liquids, and grease ruin a recycling load, so always rinse containers, keep paper and cardboard out of the rain, and leave soiled pizza boxes or wet packaging for the regular dumpster. A contaminated recycling dumpster can be rejected or billed as trash, which will then cost you more (and still violates the separation rule).

Flatten and Break Down

Cardboard dumpsters fill up way too fast when boxes stay in their original box shape. Flatten every box and nest them, and break down large cardboard pieces so the container can be used to its full capacity. This will allow you to get the most value from your rental.

Get Everyone on Board

If you’re the only one who really understands what goes where, you’ll have endless problems. Make sure all crew members, tenants, janitors, and subcontractors know how to fill the container. Post the hauler’s list at the dumpsters themselves, and walk people through it on the first day.

Don’t Overload or Mix Up Streams

If you run out of room with one dumpster, don’t just throw it in the other one. Over-the-top loads can be refused or billed extra, but recyclables mixed into the trash dumpster can cause the whole load to be treated as trash or rejected at the facility. Keep the recycling container for recyclables only and the trash dumpster for non-recyclable waste only.

Keep Simple Records

Windsor, for example, requires owners, lessees, and occupants of nonresidential properties to submit yearly documentation of their recycling system. The report has to describe what is recycled, who hauled it, and how often. Your hauler’s invoices or weight tickets will satisfy most of the requirements.

Talk to us today at Windsor Sanitation to find out what’s available for your business, get advice on the best solution for your needs, and access quality dumpster rental services you can count on. We serve towns throughout Connecticut and Massachusetts, and we’re a family-owned business that’s been serving the Central Connecticut region for more than 35 years.