Temecula Dump is a service that helps homeowners and businesses get rid of junk quickly. It’s usually available on demand and involves a team that can remove large items in a short amount of time.

Many junk removal companies also go the extra mile to donate or recycle items that can’t be repurposed, so they don’t end up in landfills.

A city or town may offer free curbside pickup of yard waste during specific times of the year. Typically, the debris must be bundled or bagged, and it can include grass clippings, leaves and twigs. It also includes some garden waste, but it does not include large branches, logs and stumps or fencing. Some cities have composting facilities where yard waste can be turned into a soil amendment for gardening or used as mulch, but it is not always available.

Green waste, or organic matter that can be turned into compost, comprises about a third of municipal solid waste that gets landfilled in the states. It can be found in everything from leaves and twigs to garden waste to food scraps. It is typically thrown away or collected by municipalities and turned into mulch, compost, and soil amendments for use in local gardens or public spaces.

The city has a yard waste disposal program that uses grass clippings and other green waste to make mulch and other products. It takes the trash from a number of sources, including Rumpke drop-offs and landscape companies, and arranges it in huge piles dozens of feet high. The first thing the workers do is remove any visible plastic that has made its way into the waste, which could contaminate the end product.

Next, the twigs and clippings go through a months-long process turning them into compost and mulch that is sold to residents and businesses. Grass and leaves are the largest components of the waste, but some woody material — including limbs and brush from trees and shrubs that have been cut or trimmed — is included.

Rather than using a plastic bag to hold your own yard waste, which can be expensive and create additional pollution, try placing the material in a bucket or a reusable garbage can. That eliminates the cost of the bag, reduces plastic waste and results in a cleaner final product that is easier to transport for processing. Using a bucket can also help you keep track of your yard waste and avoid overfilling the container.

Furniture

Nothing spruces up a room like a new piece of furniture, but old pieces can be hard to get rid of. Whether you’re moving, remodeling, downsizing, or cleaning out an estate, it is important to dispose of old furniture properly so that it doesn’t end up in landfills. The good news is that most types of furniture can be safely disposed of in a dumpster.

Furniture can be made from a variety of materials, from wood to plastics to fabrics. Many of these materials are recyclable, but unfortunately, it isn’t as easy as just throwing a sofa or chair in the trash. For example, many of these materials require special handling and treatment to avoid contaminating other materials. That is why it’s so important to know what your furniture is made from before you dump it.

The most common type of furniture is wood. Wood is usually able to be recycled, but it can also be reused or even turned into energy. Many municipalities offer recycling programs for wooden furniture, and many charities accept donated pieces. However, it is still necessary to call the landfill before dropping off any items. Some landfills have restrictions on what can be dumped, and others may have specific days to handle large items.

Many communities don’t offer curbside pickup for furniture, and even if they do, the process can be time-consuming and costly. Plus, it’s not always safe to haul the furniture yourself. For example, if you have a heavy piece of furniture like a couch or bed, it’s not always practical to carry it down the street to the curb.

In addition, most municipalities have regulations about what can be left on the curb and for how long. This can be particularly challenging for large, bulky items like mattresses and box springs, which can be difficult to break down or recycle. Fortunately, these items can be dumped in a dumpster, although it’s best to check with your local landfill to make sure that they have no restrictions. If they do, you can use the iScrap App to find a scrap yard near you that will pay you for the metal components.

Styrofoam

Styrofoam is a popular material for takeout containers, coffee cups and other food packaging. It’s insulating properties keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold, helping to extend the shelf life of these items and improving the dining experience for customers. Styrofoam is also used for packaging and shipping purposes, keeping fragile products safe during transit.

Unfortunately, styrofoam isn’t the best for the environment. It’s hard to recycle (and a large portion of it can’t be recycled at all) and takes up a lot of space in landfills. It’s also made from a chemical, styrene, that is a human carcinogen and may cause gastrointestinal problems and irritation to the eyes and respiratory tract.

The good news is that styrofoam can be reused, so it’s not completely in the trash! It can be turned into a variety of useful things, such as craft projects, party centerpieces and wall shelves. You can even use it to make furniture. This repurposing of Styrofoam waste reduces your environmental impact and shows off your creativity.

It’s important to note that when you talk about styrofoam, it is actually expanded polystyrene foam. Many people mistakenly use the word styrofoam to refer to extruded polystyrene foam, such as the kind you find in your disposable coffee cup or at the office water cooler, when they really mean the building insulation known as EPS.

EPS is a closed-cell, extruded polystyrene-based foam that can be molded to create different shapes for construction projects or poured into molds to form insulation and other commercial and residential structures. It is a popular choice for insulation and can be found in homes, restaurants and even chicken sheds.

The problem with EPS is that it breaks down into little cells that float away to the ocean or other environmental realms, where they are mistaken for food by aquatic and marine creatures. These creatures often choke or become entangled on them, and the styrene that is released from the broken-down cells can be toxic to these animals, too. The good news is that you can reduce your styrofoam consumption by buying reusable containers, supporting businesses that use eco-friendly packaging and encouraging government initiatives to promote recycling and waste reduction.

Electronics

As technology advances, old computers, phones and other gadgets are replaced with newer, faster versions. This creates a huge amount of electronic waste, or e-waste. If discarded improperly, it can leach dangerous metals and chemicals into the soil, water and air. These toxic substances can harm both human and wildlife.

E-waste is also a fire risk and a source of pollutants. Many communities have e-waste recycling programs to divert this waste from landfills. Some devices are shredded and sold for their metals, while others are donated to secondhand markets. The electronics can be repaired or refurbished to give them a second life.

If the electronics are not recycled, they go to landfills, where they may leak harmful chemicals into the groundwater. They can also contaminate the air with heavy metals. In 2022, people threw away a record 62 million metric tons of e-waste, or enough to fill more than 1.7 million fully loaded semitrailer trucks, bumper to bumper around the globe.

The Illinois EPA recommends that residents recycle or donate their unwanted electronics rather than throw them in the trash. The state has a statewide program called the Consumer Electronics Recycling Act, which requires manufacturers to participate. The Illinois EPA also lists local recycling and reuse companies that accept certain device types. The EPA recommends calling before you visit to make sure the company you are visiting will take your specific device type. If not, you can find a list of certified e-waste recyclers on the EPA website. You can also use a search engine to find more options near you.