Hey there, DIYers! Looking for advice on trash removal?
So you’ve just finished your latest DIY project and now you’re left with a whole lot of junk. Whether you got a busted toilet, a worn-out mattress, some leftover drywall, or even a beat-up old sofa and dresser. Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered. I will show you exactly how to get rid of all that junk from your DIY project. Whether you’re looking to dump it or recycle it, I’ll give you all the tips and tricks you need.
My name is Yigal and I am the owner of Response Crew Handyman and I deal with trash removal all of the time!
The aftermath of a DIY project: Junk!
So you’ve successfully completed your DIY project, and now you’re left with a messy aftermath of junk. Don’t worry, I got you covered on how to deal with all that clutter. Let’s dive right into it, shall we?
Let’s take a good look at your pile of junk. While some items might be clearly destined for the trash, others might be in decent enough condition to be recycled or repurposed. This brings us to an important point – recycling is not only environmentally friendly but can also be a financially wise decision in some cases.
To begin, separate items that can be recycled such as cardboard, glass, or metal. Most local recycling centers provide drop-off locations, making the process a breeze. But don’t just stop there, consider donating or selling items that are still in good shape. Online platforms like Craigslist or local charity shops can connect you with potential buyers or those in need.
If you’re unsure about the disposal methods for specific items, it’s always a good idea to consult your local waste management guidelines. Remember, it’s important to be responsible and make conscious choices when getting rid of your DIY project leftovers.
Here are some useful links:
What is Recyclable and what is not https://www.wm.com/us/en/recycle-right/recycling-101
List of places you can sale or donate your recyclable items https://www.scottsdaleaz.gov/Asset7365.aspx
Ditch the landfill – recycle your old electronic junk!
Congratulations on taking the first step towards responsibly getting rid of your DIY project leftovers! Now, let’s dig deeper into specific strategies for recycling various types of junk, because let’s face it, the landfill should be your last resort.
For starters, let’s talk about electronics. You might have old laptops, smartphones, or even a fancy camera lying around. Instead of tossing them in the trash, find an e-waste recycling center near you. These centers are equipped to handle electronics safely and ensure they are properly recycled. The city of Scottsdale, like many other cities, have recycling events, check this page for locations, dates and times https://www.scottsdaleaz.gov/solid-waste/electronics-recycling
Save the forest, make some money – Recycle your wood, lumber and pallets
Next up, let’s tackle those piles of wood and building materials. Instead of adding to the deforestation problem, consider repurposing or recycling them. Some communities have programs that collect wood debris for chipping or composting. Alternatively, you can get creative and repurpose the wood for other DIY projects or donate it to local carpentry schools or woodworking enthusiasts.
In most cases you can get paid or credited for your wood pallets. Here are some locations in Phoenix that would love to take your wood back and reclaim it!
Paradise Valley https://www.binghamlumber.com/contact-us/we-buy-wood
Phoenix Pallets will pick up your old pallets https://aaapalletco.com/
Here is a list of a few wood shops that will take your wood https://www.yellowpages.com/phoenix-az/wood-recycling
Lastly, let’s not forget about those paint cans and other hazardous materials. Many recycling centers have specific drop-off locations for these items, as improper disposal can harm the environment. Be sure to check your local waste management guidelines to ensure safe disposal.
Find a paint drop off center near you https://www.paintcare.org/drop-off-sites/
Find recycling centers near you
Now that you know the importance of recycling and repurposing, it’s time to find the right recycling centers near you. Sure, you can do a quick search on your favorite search engine, but here are a few other helpful links.
https://azpyramidservices.com/recycling-materials-accept.htm
First, check with your local municipality or waste management agency. They often have information on recycling centers in your area. They might even provide a list of accepted materials and any specific guidelines you need to follow.
Rethink and repurpose – get creative with your junk!
Now that you know where to find recycling centers, it’s time to take recycling to a whole new level. Why not tap into your creativity and find ways to repurpose your junk?
One option is to rethink and repurpose materials from your DIY project. That old wooden pallet could become a beautiful coffee table, or those empty glass jars could be transformed into stylish candle holders. Let your imagination run wild, and you’ll be amazed at what you can create.
Here are a few sites I found while searching for repurposing ideas.
https://www.pinterest.com/TwelveOnMain/repurposing-ideas/
https://www.youtube.com/@CanterburyCottage
Don’t forget to browse through online platforms dedicated to upcycling and repurposing. These communities are filled with amazing ideas and tutorials that can inspire you to turn your junk into something unique and useful.
So, before you toss anything into the recycling bin, take a moment to think if there’s another purpose it could serve.
Help your community – donate
When it comes to getting rid of all that junk from your DIY project, don’t forget about the option to donate. Just because you no longer have a use for something doesn’t mean someone else won’t find it valuable.
Consider donating your unwanted items to local charities, thrift stores, or shelters. These organizations often rely on donations to support their missions, and your DIY leftovers could be just what they need. Ask about pickup service. Some offer this for free!
https://www.goodwill.org/locator/
https://www.habitat.org/restores/find-donate-building-materials-habitat-restore
Time to clean up, folks!
Alright, Now that your DIY project is complete, whether you built a wall or removed a wall, changed your toilet or just got rid of some furniture and painted a room, It’s time to clean up the mess.
You recycled whatever you can, you donate to the local non-profit and you put aside all the items you plan on repurposing in the next few months. You had left over useable material that you donated to your local Habitat or Stardust location. Great job!
Now that you have done all of that, some trash is simply trash and needs to head over to the landfill. You have a few ways of doing that. Keep in mind that dumping it in a dumpster behind your local grocery store is highly illegal and you can get in serious trouble for that.
Bulk Pick-up from your curb
Most cities and towns will have a bulk pick up service. In some cases it’s a free service while in others you might have a small fee depending on what you are disposing of. Check out your local waste management website or municipality website for dates and fees related to your needs. If you do this ahead of time you can plan your project based on the bulk pick up dates. This is a free or low cost and easy way to remove your non reusable trash from your DIY project.
Dumpster rental
If your project is big enough, or the material you are disposing of is non compliant with the bulk pick up service in your area (rocks from desert landscape is one example) you can rent a dumpster for trash removal needs. Pick up the phone and call 2 or three of these services to compare prices. Some might have a per Ton charge while others are time based. Find the one that fits your project timeline and type of material. This is a full service drop off and pick up you load the waste in the dumpster. They offer different sizes by yard. Keep in mind that small might not be the best cost if they need to do two pickups.
I used Waste Solution Junk and Dumpsters https://busybeesjunk.com/
Trash removal service
If loading the dumpster or bulk pickup is not the right fit for you. You can find a trash removal company that will take care of the whole process for you. You might need to go through an estimate process by email with photos or in-person but this might be just what you’re looking for. They come with a crew that can carry heavy or bulky items as well as scattered items. I have used services like this and recommended them to customers who are out of town and need to clear out a house or backyard.
Waste Solution Junk and Dumpsters https://busybeesjunk.com/ offer full service pickup.
The Bagster
For your smaller medium projects that involve demo trash like broken pieces of drywall, piece of wood, framing, tile, bent metal and the old sink and faucet. The Bagster is a great way to dispose of the debrief without the hassle of a dumpster or scheduling around the bulk pickup. You buy the bag at a home store such as Home Depot, Target, Ace, Lowes or even on Amazon. When you are done filling it, you call the service and they pick it up for no extra charge.
Break it down and put it in your trash cans
Smaller DIY projects might not have the same amount of trash. I love furniture assembly, I know I’m wired. My wife will order 4 or 5 pieces of furniture at a time, expecting me to dedicate the weekend to assembly all the new furniture, break down and remove all the old furniture as well as moving all the furniture around. That’s the part I dislike. As the project is moving along, I pile up all the cardboard boxes. To dispose of them, I brake them down with a box cutter to 2×2 pieces and dump them into the recycle trash bin. Make sure to separate the foam from the cardboard. Packing material is non recyclable.
Appliances? Have No Fear
One of the easies and best ways to dispose of appliances, no matter what it is, big and heavy like a fridge, a washers or a dryer, or small like a microwave, is to go online and type “recycling appliances” you are likely to find a service that will come to your home and pick up for free. Another way is to put the appliance in front of your house, cub side with a FREE sign, you will be surprised how fast it will disappear. Be aware that HOA’s don’t love this plan. You can visit sites like Craigslist and Offer up and find someone to come pick up.
Response Crew Handyman is located in Scottsdale AZ. We service the entire Phoenix valley as well as Tucson and the surrounding cities. I hope this information was helpful and you are inspired to do DIY or repurposing projects. If you did so, post on social media with the hashtag #ResponseCrew and tag us. I love to see your doings.
