No, you can’t! That oil is environmental poison, as it can harm or kill wildlife and plants. Plus, it can cause serious damage to drinking water supplies, as well as sewage/septic systems. According to the earth911 website, dumping cooking oil and grease down the drain is the leading cause of stopped-up plumbing.

But before you dispose of your oil, you may want to contact a local restaurant. If the oil is still good, it can be added to their existing supplies for future use. This may be a good idea if you’re a “frequent fry-er”! You may also want to consider adding the used oil to a compost heap. But if these ideas don’t appeal to you, just follow these simple steps, and avoid any environmental catastrophes!

1.) Make sure that the used oil has safely cooled off.

2.) Check if the oil is actually done for good. Deep-frying oil can be used repeatedly. If it is unusable, you’ll need to find a clean container that seals tightly; an old plastic jar (NOT glass) with a durable lid is a good choice.

3.) Then, strain the used oil into the container. But be careful — you don’t want to slip and fall!

4.) Do you have only a small amount of left-over oil? If so, you can toss the jar right into the trash.

5.) If there is a lot of oil left, you’ll need to take it to your local landfill.

If you have any other questions about the disposal of oil or other waste, call the professionals at DumpsterSource, the place for all your dumpster rental needs.

Best Answer: The answer is “Yes,” but you can’t just toss it out of a truck bed and take off … In most communities, you can drop off large appliances for recycling at local landfills, transfer stations and municipal recycling depots.

But if you have any regard for the health of the environment, you’ll need to be aware of certain local AND federal guidelines. You should contact your local government to find the proper facilities and programs for recycling appliances. In fact, these locations are preferred, as the employees will be able to remove any hazardous materials.

But before you just dispose of your unwanted washer and dryer, why not consider helping out your neighbors in need. As long as the appliances are still working, they can be reused, or even salvaged for valuable parts. And if they’re beyond repair, be sure to contact the qualified professionals at DumpsterSource. They’ll pick up your appliances at your home or business, and transport them to the proper facilities. You can contact them at (888) 423-8677, Monday through Friday, from 7:00 am EST until 8:00 pm EST, or online, 24/7.

But before you run out and replace all of your units, you’ll need to know what to do with the old extinguishers. After all, you can’t just toss them in the trash. They may not be totally empty, and if the liquid, gas or chemicals inside leak out, serious damage can occur, including contamination or even explosions! So how do you get rid of those old extinguishers?

Instructions: First of all, you need to determine what type of extinguisher you’re dealing with. Newer extinguishers typically contain water, gas, or chemicals. Water-filled and gas-filled (CO₂) models are safe, as the liquid or foam inside is inert. However, the chemical models may be toxic, and if released, they can irritate skin (and the environment).  To be safe, it’s a good idea to contact your local fire department, or even a fire extinguisher service company. This can be located with a simple Google search.

You may have to follow local and even Federal guidelines when disposing of extinguishers. Again, the fire department, as well as your local sanitation or environmental protection departments may have the proper information for disposal and recycling. You see, fire extinguishers are often considered to be “hazardous waste,” and as such, they may require special arrangements. Plus, these extinguishers are generally under a great deal of pressure (this is what makes them effective). Therefore, they need to be handled by qualified professionals!

Typically, local sanitation workers will pick up old extinguishers for disposal and recycling. If the extinguisher can be reused, the employees willfully inspect and perform pressure tests. If the unit is unusable, it is cut in half or pierced. Then, it’s scrapped, as almost all of the unit can be recycled.

At DumpsterSource, our representatives will schedule personal pick-ups and disposal for your extinguishers and other waste and trash. To reach a representative, simply call (888) 423-8677, Monday through Friday, from 7:00 am EST until 8:00 pm EST. Or, you can reach them online, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

“Thank God men cannot fly, and lay waste the sky as well as the earth.”

– Henry David Thoreau

Everywhere you look, trash is piling up. No matter how hard we try to recycle, to conserve, to limit our consumption, the waste grows. But it’s no big deal, right? Surely, the problem will work itself out….

Unfortunately, we only have to look at the Pacific Ocean for an illustration of our bad habits. Floating on the current is an extraordinarily immense mass of trash, one that may be twice as big as Texas! Even worse, this collection of plastic continues to expand every day.

A Trash Heap By Any Name

This environmental hazard goes by many names; “Great Pacific Garbage Patch,” “Plastic Trash Vortex,” “Eastern Garbage Patch.” But whatever it’s called, this blob represents a growing concern for the health of the planet. Located between Hawaii and the Western U.S., this blob shows that our trash and waste can reach all parts of the globe – even the middle of the ocean!

Researchers estimate that about 80% of the debris comes from land-based sources, while the remaining 20% comes from ships at sea. This garbage is then swept by currents into the mass. And the majority of the plastic found in the Patch is not biodegradable. Instead, these plastic bags, bottle, toys, etc. are primarily photodegraded. That means that it stays a plastic, even as it disintegrates into smaller pieces. This places local wildlife in terrible damage, as the pieces are consumed. Even worse, once the plastic breaks down in the sun, toxic chemicals leach into the water. This can harm fish and other organisms, and eventually humans.

Clean-Up Efforts Are Underway

But despite the mounting crisis, there are steps being taken to fix the problem. The prestigious Scripps Institution of Oceanography has joined forces with conservationists, environmental experts, and business leaders. A major initiative, known as “Project Kaisei” (Japanese for “Ocean Planet”), is launching. This initiative will involve a two-ship expedition to the Vortex; the New Horizon and the Kaisei.

The team will explore the Vortex, and take photos and videos, in an effort to alert and educate the public. “We need to make people realize what we are doing to our ocean,” states Doug Woodring, a Hong Kong-based entrepreneur and ocean conservationist. “We need to make people realize what we are doing to our ocean.” The New Horizon is handling scientific research. The Kaisei will explore methods for cleaning up the plastic waste, while not harming the nearby wildlife. You can view the project’s progress online, at www.projectkaisei.org/.

It should be mentioned that the “Plastic Trash Vortex” is not the only one of its kind. There are also garbage masses in the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. And as these are located in international waters, most governments are reluctant to become involved.

As such, our best weapon may be to stop adding to the problem. That means using less plastic, and recycling whenever we can. Estimates suggest that more than 60 billion tons of plastic are produced annually. Unfortunately, only about 5% is recycled!

SOURCE: http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1914145,00.html?xid=rss-topstories

But what if you’re a homeowner or business owner? In that case, you may have to request the containers — and any pertinent information — from your local government office. These days, communities of every size have some means of providing you with the containers and locations you’ll need. You may also want to try a Google search to find the best way to recycle in your area. For instance, the Freecycle website provides a variety of recycling information, right in your neighborhood.

For  information about recycling, feel free to contact DumpsterSource. They’ll come right to your home or business, and transport your materials to the proper facilities. You can contact them at (888) 423-8677, Monday through Friday, from 7:00 am EST until 8:00 pm EST, or online, 24/7.

• From 1950-2000, the U.S. population has almost doubled. But during that same period, the U.S. population’s demand for water has multiplied more than three times. The EPA estimates that Americans now use an average of 100 gallons of water each day. That amount is enough to fill 1,600 drinking glasses!

• Do you recycle paper? Well, here are a few incentives; one ton of recycled paper saves 17 mature trees, 7,000 gallons of water, 3 cubic yards of landfill space, 2 barrels of oil, AND 4,100 kilowatt-hours of electricity. These savings can provide enough energy to power typical American homes for five months!

• Have you considered installing a drip irrigation system for your lawn and garden? These systems use 20-50% less water than conventional in-ground sprinkler systems. Plus, they’ve been shown to be more efficient than conventional sprinklers. That’s because no water is lost to wind, runoff, and evaporation.

• You may want to look into installing water-efficient appliances. The EPA has found that these devices could save the nation more than three trillion gallons of water. That’s the equivalent of more than $18 billion dollars per year!

The “Green Guilt” is Growing

As you can see, recycling has its benefits, for every man, woman and child across the country. Nevertheless, a great number of the American population has yet to jump on the recycling bandwagon.

But research shows that while we may not all be doing our part for the environment, that doesn’t mean we don’t feel bad about it. Actually, studies show that in 2008, more people – especially women –felt guiltier about their poor environmental efforts than in 2007. This study was conducted by the non-profit Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation (RBRC). The survey involved 525 women and 481 men.

According to the findings, about 20% of the polled Americans stated that in 2007, they felt guilty about their recycling habits, vs. 2008’s 22% level of guilt. Actually, this higher level of guilt may be a good thing. You see, this may mean that increased “green” activities may be in effect.

For instance, in 2008, 41% of those surveyed said they recycled cell phones and 37% recycled rechargeable batteries. In 2007, these numbers were 31% and 29%, respectively. In addition, 89% stated that they recycled something in 2008, compared to 2007’s 87%.

The Children Are Our Future

Those surveyed said that their main reason for recycling was the children. This suggests that the American population now understands that their actions (good or bad) will have a long-term effect. The 2008 survey shows that “green guilt” is real, and people want to get involved.

However, experts caution that this guilt can only do so much. “Green guilt certainly works for some people, but I have a concern that guilt ultimately is going to turn off more people than anything else,” states Chip Giller, president and founder of the humor/environmental website Grist.org. “Consumerism and frankly battery recycling are only going to get us so far.” Eventually, the U.S. Government will need to get involved; they’ll really need to target major polluters.

The bottom line? Whether you recycle everything or only on special occasions, every little bit helps! If you want more information about recycling and what you can do to help the environment, visit DumpsterSource.com

SOURCE: http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/environment/2008-05-07-green-guilt_N.htm

However, this insulation does have its drawbacks. It can scratch and irritate skin (although extensive testing has shown that the material is safe to use and live with). The bottom line is that, like other installation processes, there are steps to take to ensure safety and comfort, both in the short- and long-term. According to the American Lung Association (ALA), fiberglass insulation is safe, as long as it’s properly installed or removed. At this time, the material is not considered to be a human carcinogen (cancer-causing agent).

Here are steps to take when installing or removing fiberglass insulation:

• Skin Safety – Be sure to wear loose-fitting, long-sleeved clothing and long pants. It’s a good idea to wear gloves, but do not tape the sleeves or pants at the wrists or ankles. Whatever you do, be sure NOT to scratch or rub your skin, especially when fiberglass particles accumulate on your skin! Once you’re finished, you must wash your skin, or better yet, shower with mild soap and warm, running water.
• Eye Safety — Wear safety glasses with side shields as well as a hat, if possible. And be sure NOT to rub your eyes while installing/removing fiberglass.
• Nose, Mouth, and Throat Safety – The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health offers special respirators known as “N 95” particulate respirators, which limit or eliminate any irritation of the nose, mouth, or throat. You may also want to consider a disposable dust respirator. This is very helpful if you’re working in a dusty environment, or fiberglass insulation is located overhead. These respirators can usually be found in home improvement stores.
• Clothing Safety – Once the installation/removal is complete, take off the work clothes. These clothes must be washed separately from other clothes. When the wash cycle is finished, be sure to wipe out the washer.
• General Safety – Always maintain a clean workspace. When it’s time to clean up, be sure that you’re careful; you don’t want to disperse fibers back into a clean area when you’re sweeping. And it’s crucial to have a waste bin or plastic trash bag nearby at all times. For larger projects, renting a dumpster is the safest thing to do.
• Once you’re finished installing or removing the materials, you’ll need to make sure that no insulation is left exposed in an occupied area. Also, materials with paper or foil coverings can offer potential fire hazards. The insulation must be kept clean and dry, or else it can attract mold.
• Be sure to only handle the necessary amount of fiberglass insulation.
• Always use the proper cutting tools, such as a sharp utility knife and a straight edge.

Pocono Raceway, located in Long Pond, PA, in the heart of the Pocono Mountains, will soon be the world’s first solar-powered sporting facility.  The raceway, also known as the “Tricky Triangle” and the “Bermuda Triangle,” is set to install 40,000 shiny black solar panels on 25 acres along Long Pond Road, across from the infield entrance.

Once installed, the track will be first carbon-neutral sporting facility in the world. It will produce three megawatts of solar energy, as well as huge profits for its owner, Dr. Joseph Mattioli. That’s because the power produced – about three megawatts — will be sold to the regional electrical grid year-round.

In the process, the Tricky Triangle will be the NASCARs most environmentally conscious track. “This new system will not only satisfy the raceway’s energy needs,” said track President Brandon Igdalsky. “It will allow us to help power close to 1,000 homes and lower carbon dioxide emissions by 2,500 tons every year.”

And the environmental benefits for the facility don’t stop there. The $17 million solar energy installation project qualifies the track for a 30% tax credit. The raceway is also participating in “NASCAR’s Green Clean Air” program. In the program, ten trees will be purchased and planted locally for every green flag dropped during the Sunoco Red Cross Pennsylvania 500. In addition, more recycling bins have been placed throughout the grandstands and suites, including those donated by such business giants as Pepsi, Anheuser-Busch and Waste Management.

Installation of the solar panels is planned to begin in the fall. If all goes well, the solar farm could be producing electricity by as early as spring 2010. Once up and running, the solar farm should provide enough energy to offset the power used at the track, as well as the newly opened Village at Pocono Resort.

SOURCE: http://www.poconorecord.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090801/NEWS/908010343/-1/NEWS01

Thanks to a new ordinance, recycling is now mandatory for residents. And fines will be levied for those who fail to do their environmental part. This solid waste disposal ordinance went into effect Wednesday, July 8^th.

The town of Cape Elizabeth recycles about 28% of all household waste. However, the goal is to eventually recycle about 50%, states Town Manager Michael McGovern. And this increased recycling represents big savings for the community – and its residents.

The local government estimates that transporting one ton of residential waste to the incinerator costs about $168; about $600,000 annually. Meanwhile, it only costs about $30 per ton to transport recycled materials to the incinerator. Therefore, by ramping up recycling efforts, Cape Elizabeth can save hundreds of thousands of dollars.

More than a year of discussions led to this decision to enforce recycling efforts. The town is doing everything possible to prepare and educate residents. For instance, a recycling educator has been installed who will be available at the recycling center or transfer station to assist residents.

The town government emphasizes that they don’t want to make things difficult for residents. While this new ordinance states that the non-recycling fine could be at $3,000, residents don’t have to worry about paying such a high amount. Rather, the fines will start at $200, and only increase if repeatedly broken.  “Belligerent non-adherence could lead to a fine,” said McGovern. “There’ll be warnings. No one will be fined without a warning,” said McGovern.

And for Cape Elizabeth residents, or anyone else, one simple call or email to DumpsterSource will make the recycling experience much easier. Our trained professionals will come right to your home or business and remove your recyclable materials in Cape Elizabeth or nationwide. Just call (888) 423-8677, Monday through Friday, from 7:00 am EST until 8:00 pm EST. Or, you can reach them online, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

SOURCE: http://www.wmtw.com/news/19929209/detail.html

“Don’t it always seem to go
That you don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone;
They paved paradise,
And put up a parking lot.”

– “Big Yellow Taxi,” Joni Mitchell

In today’s business world, “green” is the word. You see, more and more people want to do their part for the environment. And as a result, businesses of all sizes, in virtually every industry, are reaping the financial benefits!

So how can you showcase your environmental efforts, while pumping up your profits? There may be no better method than the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification process.

A Closer Look at the Program

LEED is an independent, third party-verified, and voluntary program. Throughout the world, this program is considered the pinnacle benchmark for “green” buildings. Basically, LEED is a system of standards for design, construction, and operations for environmentally safe structures. LEED certification identifies structures as being high-performance, and both energy- and resource-efficient. Those companies and organizations that have been awarded certification are recognized as providing environmentally responsible building and operating practices.

The LEED certification process was established by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). According to Marie Coleman, the agency’s communications coordinator, each project offers a specific number of points awarded. To begin the LEED certification process, projects must be registered on the certification website, www.gbci.org. At this time, a fee is paid, as well.

Each LEED project carries a specific number of points to be awarded upon completion. The points earned determine the level of certification achieved; Certified, Silver, Gold, or Platinum. LEED projects are required to achieve a minimum number of credits/points among six environmental categories:

• Water Efficiency
• Energy & Atmosphere
• Indoor Air Quality
• Materials & Resources
• Innovation & Design
• Site Selection

DumpsterSource supports all LEED projects. You can help the environment while renting a dumpster by renting individual containers for separate recyclable waste. For any questions you may have regarding dumpster rentals, please visit DumpsterSource.