Getting ready to do a big spring (or any time of the year) cleaning? It’s a daunting task, but Granger can help. Here are some things to remember if you’re cleaning out a garage, attic or basement (or all of the above).
Reuse/Recycling
Rather than tossing that stuff in the trash, consider the options you have for reuse and recycling.
- Sell, give away or donate items in good condition. Just because you don’t need it doesn’t mean someone else doesn’t.
- Recycle items curbside. If you have curbside recycling collection, pull out cardboard, paper, boxboard, plastic, tin and aluminum and glass and set it out for recycling. Just be sure to follow the guidelines and prepare your items appropriately. Check out the recycling guidelines for your area.
- Recycle materials at a recycling drop-off. Items like paper, cardboard, boxboard, tin and aluminum, plastic and textiles can be recycled at a drop-off center. Be sure the items are cleaned and sorted. Find the closest drop-off and read the guidelines.
Trash
A big cleanup can generate a lot of trash, and it may be too much to fit in your cart. Luckily, you have quite a few options for disposing of your extra trash.
- Haul it to a Granger Disposal Center. If you have excessive trash and access to a large vehicle and/or trailer, this may be your best option, and certainly the least expensive for a significant load. Find directions, hours and pricing for a Disposal Center near you.
- Rent a temporary container. If you have a significant pile of trash to dispose of, but don’t have a way to haul it yourself, you may want to get one of these larger containers. There are several sizes to choose from and you can keep it for a week and load it at your convenience. View container sizes.
- Request a one-time bulk pickup. If you have a large item or two, such as a mattress or old refrigerator, but not a lot of other trash, you can schedule a pickup. Pricing varies according to size and type. For more information on bulks, view this blog post.
- Place some extra bags out at the curb. If you just have a small amount of extra trash, you can just set it out with your other trash on your service day. Depending on your service level, there may be some small additional per bag charges.
Other Things to Remember
- Bag as much of your trash as you can. If something can’t be bagged, it probably qualifies as a bulk item, so please check with us before putting it out.
- Follow cart and bag weight limits. Please don’t set out bags than weigh more than 30 pounds or carts that weigh more than 200 pounds. This helps us keep our drivers and our equipment from breaking, which we really appreciate.
- Make sure everything that’s in your cart fits in it. Items sticking out of the top of your cart can be a safety hazard, make it impossible to close the lid and can cause problems when dumped, particularly with one of our automated side load trucks.
- Follow waste acceptance guidelines. Some items, like paint, require special preparation before being disposed of. Other items, like household hazardous waste, are not accepted at all. Review our waste acceptance guidelines.
- Construction debris (drywall, concrete, etc.) is not accepted curbside. If you need to dispose of this type of material, please bring it to a Disposal Center or rent a temporary container.
So, there you have it—all the ways Granger can help with your big cleanup. Unfortunately, you still have to do the cleaning up part yourself.
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