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We’ve all heard about ways we can help protect and conserve the environment, from reducing our carbon footprint to keeping up with our recycling. However, there’s an unsung hero in the world of environmentalism, which keeps millions of pounds of waste from being disposed of in ways that can harm the environment – dumpster rental companies. These companies work tirelessly to make sure that anything you throw away is disposed of properly, all recycling is done correctly, and environmental regulations are followed, leading to a healthier, cleaner, and greener environment for us all.
All pollution, in one form or another, is trash, consisting of material we don’t want anymore, or byproducts from creating things we do want. While humans will always leave a footprint by manipulating the environment, we can always try to do our best to dispose of our personal waste in the most responsible way possible.
Dumpsters: Unsung Heroes of the Environmentalist Movement
Before the 20th century, waste was disposed of by various means and there wasn’t enough of it to create the major pollution issues we face today. The dumpster itself was invented in its current form in 1935, and since then has revolutionized the way we retain and dispose of waste.
Without these centralized, simple, and efficient ways of removing trash, many more people would simply dump it wherever and whenever they can, harming the planet in the process. Let’s take a look at some of the most profound ways that dumpsters help save the environment.
Recycling more effectively
It’s well known that consumers struggle to recycle their waste, with few locations offering municipal recycling pickup. Few people have time to sort through all of their household waste and organize it, but dumpster rental companies can do this effectively. Because they specialize in trash and have equipment and resources that the average person doesn’t, renting a dumpster leads to more trash being recycled and less ending up in the landfill.
Regulations followed thoroughly
When you dispose of your trash in a dumpster, you are doing your part to ensure that all waste regulations are followed. These companies are experts at knowing how to dispose of different kinds of waste, and it’s their job to make sure that they follow all applicable laws and regulations. Certain kinds of waste, like chemicals, can be harmful if not disposed of properly, but waste management companies will know how to handle issues like this.
Keeps trash out of waterways and natural areas
Illegally dumped waste is a scourge on our shared natural beauty, a stark monument to the immeasurable selfishness of mankind. When you use a dumpster rental company’s services, you can be 100% sure that none of your trash will end up clogging a river or ruining a beautiful natural scene for others.
There’s another issue too – when waste is disposed of in this improper manner, it leaks and leaches chemicals and other harmful substances into the environment, where plants, animals, and people absorb them. From microplastics to cleaning supplies, improperly disposed of waste creates major environmental and health hazards.
Less fuel burned
One small way we can help the environment is by driving less and using more consolidated services like dumpsters. Imagine if every load of trash was driven by each individual to the dump as a separate load – between idling and driving, it would equate to millions of tons of carbon dioxide and other harmful greenhouse gasses emitted into the atmosphere every year. Using a dumpster is the most efficient way to dispose of waste and keep more cars off of the road, which helps save the environment.
Less trash burn pits
Here’s a shocking statistic: did you know that about 40% of all trash produced on the Earth is burned, usually in open pits or on the side of the road? Many countries, especially in the developing world, don’t have the infrastructure or resources to offer large-scale, centralized removal of trash like we have here. This leads to the common sight of burning trash piles, containing everything from diapers, to electronics, to batteries, smoldering on the side of the road.
Needless to say, these burning piles of trash emit some of the most toxic, harmful chemicals imaginable. Their main product is carbon dioxide, but they are also responsible for small particulate matter, mercury emissions, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. These various forms of pollution have neurodegenerative effects, carcinogenic properties, and can even cause heart attacks and strokes.
That’s why dumpsters are the unsung heroes of the environmentalist movement, and it’s important to recognize that we are fortunate, privileged even, to be able to use them. Without dumpsters, the world would be far more polluted than it is, with more trash fires and dump piles everywhere. Using the services of a dumpster rental company is one of the most important ways you can do your part to take care of our beautiful planet.