In a world as consumer-driven as the one we live in today, it’s but natural for every single one of us to produce our fair share of trash.  We’re pretty good at it too. However, getting rid of all that junk properly doesn’t come easy for many of us.

More often than not, we do DIY junk removal, which is fine as long as we follow the rules of our city that cover it.  Many people, however, continue to commit junk removal mistakes, which can cause them problems down the road.

Here are some of the most common junk removal mistakes that you need to avoid.

Illegal Dumping

You cannot just dump your garbage anywhere, but many people seem to be ignorant of this fact. Despite laws that punish those who make dumping sites of roadsides and forests, we still see lots of junk in places where they shouldn’t be.

Even if you’re disposing of your junk in a dumpster, you would still be violating laws if the waste you’re dumping there are computers, appliances, printers, and other electronic gadgets.

If you’re in the habit of doing any of the above, remember that illegal dumping can cost you lots of money in steep fines across the United States. If you don’t want to have this kind of problem, don’t dump your junk illegally.

Unsegregated Waste

If you care the least bit for the environment, you will segregate all the waste that you produce. Through segregation, you get to help prevent the creation of nasty greenhouse gases, which is what would happen when the dry and wet waste that you mix together break down in a landfill.

There are also garbage collectors to think about. We can help make their jobs easier by segregating and labeling our trash properly.

Throw Junk In The Street Due To Full Dumpster

Sometimes, we make our way to the neighborhood dumpster only to find it full, overflowing even. What we do next speaks volumes about our character.

You’ve got a problem if your solution to a full dumpster is leaving your junk out there in the street. In all likelihood, stray animals will rip open your garbage bags and mess up the street. People and animals also risk hurting themselves if your trash bags contain glass and other sharp objects.

If you decide to turn back and put your trash in your own garbage cans temporarily, or at least until the local garbage collectors have emptied the dumpster the following day or so, then you’re a responsible citizen.

Burning Your Trash

When you burn your garbage, you are putting at risk the health and safety of people and property, not to mention polluting the air.

All that smoke could cause heart and lung problems. The fire it produces could get out of hand and cause damage to your property, too. Fires, however small, also release toxic materials into the air and hurt the environment.

When your neighbors see you burn your trash, they will likely be mad about it, especially if the smoke reaches their property and makes breathing difficult for them. Expect your neighbor to either accost you or file a complaint with the homeowners’ association.

Of course, your local government has laws in place that slaps thousands of dollars in fines on people who burn their junk.

Burning your trash is wrong on so many levels, so never make this junk removal mistake if you don’t want the headaches that come with it.

Not Renting A Dumpster

The neighborhood dumpster would probably be a good enough place for your trash on most days.

However, if you’re in the middle of a home renovation, you will likely be producing more junk than the dumpster across the street can handle.

So if you’re remodeling your home or building a new one, don’t make the mistake of not hiring a dumpster rental service. With all the junk construction work produces, you are going to need a dumpster that will store nothing but your own trash.

The thing about a dumpster rental service is that it does more than provide you an actual physical dumpster for your junk. A reliable dumpster rental company will also ensure a safer job site as all your garbage will be in one secure place, as well as provide total control of the time and date your junk gets taken away.

Steer clear of these junk removal mistakes, and spare yourself from the issues that come with them.

About the Author: Lauren Klesser is the Content Marketing Strategist for Happy Little Dumpsters, a dumpster rental & hauling service provider in Virginia. When not writing, she enjoys reading books and graphic novels as well as playing tennis with her family and friends.