The 6 Rules Of Removing Renovation Refuse

Are you currently renovating your home or about to begin an extension? Whether you’re going up and adding another storey or extending out the back, it is definitely an exciting time. There’s so much to consider and make decisions about. For instance, colour schemes, types of flooring, fixtures, fittings and finishes. It can almost become overwhelming. That’s why approaching it step by step is the best way to ensure you keep a cool head during your renovations.

One thing that is certain about renovations is that a home improvement project generates a heap of refuse. As you embark upon an extension project, you need to have renovation waste removal at the front of your mind. This helpful article will share the six rules of removing renovation refuse. By the end, you’ll know exactly what to do with the rubbish created by your renos. Read on to find out more.

Older Home? You May Need Specialist Asbestos Removal

If the home you’re renovating is older and was built before the late 90s, there is a high chance that it may contain deadly asbestos material in the walls, flooring, or ceiling. This was a commonly used building material in Australia up until it was banned in 2003. Exposure to disturbed fragments and particles of asbestos can cause a life-threatening illness known as mesothelioma. 

If you know or suspect that your home contains asbestos, you’ll need to engage a suitably qualified and licensed asbestos removal company. These firms are trained and capable of safely removing this hazardous material. It will cost, but asbestos removal is not a task you want to undertake yourself as it is potentially life-threatening. 

Skip Bin Hire

When renovating, a skip bin is an essential item to hire. This is a portable bin that the majority of household renovation waste can go into. The skip bin company then comes and collects and empties the skip bin once it gets full. You can put most household renovation waste into a skip bin. Here’s a helpful list of what you can use a skip to dispose of:

• Cabinets, sinks, old appliances
• Furniture, white goods, toys
• Demolition waste such as concrete, rubble, steel
• Plasterboard, tiles and insulation
• Garden and organic materials, such as plants, branches, leaves and soil

What You Can’t Put in a Skip Bin

There are some items of renovation refuse that you can’t put in a skip bin and need to arrange separate disposal of. This is due to them being either hazardous or requiring special handling for removal. Here’s a list:

• Asbestos (see above)
• Food scraps
• Chemicals, fuels, liquids
• Gas bottles or aerosol cans
• Oil fin heaters
• Fire extinguishers
• Clay
• Sawdust or cement dust
• Wet cement or slurry
• Paint 

As you can see, there is quite an extensive list of what a skip bin cannot be used to dispose of. If you’re uncertain, contact the skip bin hire company rep, who will be able to tell you precisely what can and cannot be placed in the bin. 

Use Resource Recovery and Recycling Centres

For all the items mentioned in the above list, the ones not suitable for skip bin disposal, you can often take them to your closest local resource recovery and recycling centres. These special centres are usually located close to the local tip. They can safely dispose of or recycle items such as paint, oil fin heaters, chemicals, aerosols, etc.

Your local council’s website should list the location of your nearest resource recovery and recycling centre.

Trades Removing Their Own Waste? 

As the renovator, you must ensure that all the waste your project generates is disposed of properly. If a tradesperson is on-site and generates rubbish and says they will remove it, you need to confirm with them that they are taking it to a properly licensed facility for removal. Always ask them before they remove the waste, so you can be confident they will do the right thing. 

If In Doubt - Do Your Research

If there is a specific type of renovation waste that you’re not confident of how to dispose of correctly or we haven’t mentioned in this useful article, you need to do your research and find out about how to dispose of it. Your local or state government should have websites detailing types of waste and how to properly dispose of them. It is relatively straightforward to find out; the information is at your fingertips with a simple web search.

Conclusions 

In this helpful article, we’ve shared the top six rules for removing renovation refuse. If you are undertaking a renovation project currently, this blog should be a valuable resource that will assist you in ensuring you do the right thing with your renovation rubbish. Remember, asbestos needs to be removed by a qualified and licensed company, and not everything can go in a skip bin. Double check the lists provided here if in doubt.