Table of Contents
- Choosing the Right Location
- Ensuring Accessibility
- Protecting Your Property
- Complying with Local Regulations
- Considering Safety Measures
- Minimizing Environmental Impact
- Preventing Unauthorized Use
- Planning for Efficient Waste Disposal
Choosing the Right Location
Choosing the proper placement for your dumpster is key to safe and efficient disposal of waste. Place the dumpster on a solid, level surface, preferably a concrete driveway or a solid, compacted gravel surface. If you place a dumpster on uneven or soft ground (grass, dirt, etc.), the dumpster may move, sink, or tip over and create safety issues as well as damage to property. If you are reserving a dumpster rental in Lexington, NC, be sure to assess your options for surfaces and select the surface that will equally and safely support the weight of the dumpster.
Placing the dumpster on the correct surfaces will also protect your financial investment in your landscaping and hardscaping. A solid, level surface will not only mitigate some of the risks, but will make loading easier for you while also providing an even walking surface to load your materials. Making sure the dumpster remains stable during use, and especially if weather conditions change, can save you significant time and money.
Ensuring Accessibility
Having accessibility is both important for easy delivery and an effective pickup. Position the dumpster where there is accessibility for your team and delivery truck. Don’t “stow” the dumpster in places where it may be obstructed by branches that hang low, or power lines overhead. The low branches may interfere with deliveries, and power lines overhead will need to be taken into consideration both for delivery and pickup. Make sure to leave at least a 22′ vertical clearance for the lift arms on the dumpster truck for easy access, and a width of at least 10′ for the truck to maneuver. Having easy access to your dumpster eliminates wasting time for your project, and also reduces safety issues for your project.
Protecting Your Property
Dumpsters can be heavy especially if they are full of debris or materials. To protect your driveway or yard from scratches, cracks, and dents, you can always place a protective barrier underneath the dumpster from weight distribution. For additional precautions, ensure that protective items or safety barriers are placed around any structures, garages, fences, or landscaping features; again, it is wise to leave enough room for the dumpster and possible damage of impact during loading, as the dumpster will be taken away.
Complying with Local Regulations
Before putting a dumpster on or in view of the street (or on public property at all), be sure to research your local codes and ordinances, as you will likely have to comply with permitting requirements. Cities often require a specific permit for items placed on or parallel to the street. A dumpster placed without obtaining the required permit could result in a fine, or the dumpster being towed away. Be sure to review the codes with your local public works office or city hall, and even confirm any community rules from your Homeowners Associations (HOAs).
Considering Safety Measures
Making sure that others are safe when placing a dumpster down must always be a top priority. You never want to block fire hydrants, emergency exits, utility meters, etc. Always make sure to leave at least 15 feet of buffer space around any of these safety features while the dumpster is located there. You may also want to use temporary barriers or reflective markers (when out in traffic or driveways) to help identify the dumpster area. All of this will help reduce the chance of something happening, and it will also ensure that emergency services have access if they need it.
Minimizing Environmental Impact
Dumpsters must be located with good drainage so rainwater does not carry pollutants to storm drains or natural water sources. Stay away from areas that are environmentally sensitive, gardens, or even tree roots that may be damaged for years to come. Choosing the right location will help protect the area surrounding your home and will keep you from a costly clean-up after your project.
Preventing Unauthorized Use
Positioning dumpsters in visible locations will permit illegal dumping, thereby creating complexity and possibly resulting in increased costs or violations of accepting banned materials. In order to minimize the probability of illegal use of the dumpsters by unauthorized parties, always place the dumpster(s) in a well-lit location, when possible, at night, and ensure that it is tarped or locked/secured. In addition to tarp and/or locked container protection, posting signs about fines to potential guilty parties and documenting (through video) the contents of the dumpster on an ongoing basis is also an easy added layer of protection. Those are easy first steps to protect against opportunistic dumping and stay on budget based on you desired project costs.
Planning for Efficient Waste Disposal
Having a dumpster located conveniently close to the project area is a time and energy saver with debris’s haul off. The shorter the distance to the dumpster, the less physical strain and risk for injury to your team. Think of how your crew will be moving materials and plan a safe path direct to the dumpster that has no sharp turns or obstructions. Having a dumpster, as well positioned as possible, also increases the efficiency of the trash out and keeps is organized for recycling purposes and proper waste items disposal.
By keeping these tips in mind for dumpster location selection, you can be on your way to making your upcoming project a safer, more efficient, and regulatory compliant process while also protecting your property and the environment.