The safe and sustainable disposal of waste is a growing issue across the UK, and cities up and down the country are experiencing their own unique challenges. Council-run collections are limited in the items they can handle, while waste transfer stations are often located in the suburbs, making them impractical for many city-dwellers to travel to. Furthermore, an increase in the illegal act of fly-tipping i.e. disposing of rubbish illegally instead of using kerbside collection or an authorised rubbish dump, is a disturbing trend. (see more about our fly tipping removal services).
The Coronavirus outbreak has only served to exacerbate the issue in urban areas. Councils are desperately trying to keep household waste collections going amid staffing shortages which has led to fears that there will be an increase in rodents as the perishable goods which have been stockpiled add to the growing rubbish piles. In this blog we offer advice on how you can reduce waste in a city environment, whether that be re-using or recycling your items, or disposing of them in the most environmentally friendly and efficient manner.
Taming your wild garden and sorting your shed
At first, a garden or shed clearance project can feel quite daunting with its intimidating concoction of vegetation, debris and machinery to cut down and clear up. It can be difficult to know where to start, let alone how you can ensure you are minimising waste and maximising the process, both financially and for the environment. We’ve outlined some tips below for you to consider.
Upcycle the unwanted
There are sure to be plenty of items hidden away in your shed which, with a little time and effort, you can reuse to make improvements to your home. Maybe a lick of paint is all that is needed to revive an old bookcase? Perhaps buying a few screws will finally fix that computer chair you had been meaning to scrap? Pallets, old headboards or unused bars from a baby’s cot can be used to make a multitude of creations, from makeshift bars to standing gardens and storage units. Some ideas for utilising those old pallets are outlined here. If you need a helping hand to de-clutter, or even dismantle your shed, we can help.
Don’t forget to compost!
Creating your own compost heap is a cost-effective and environmentally responsible way to dispose of garden waste. You may need to invest a few pounds in creating an enclosed area for your compost, but it can be a very rewarding process – plus it will produce year-round valuable and nutrient rich food for your garden! Visit RecycleNow or GardenOrganic for further tips and advice. If the thought of tackling the overgrown bushes and debris in your garden is too much, our team of professionals can ensure that clearing your garden is as effortless and environmentally friendly as can be.
Saying sayonara to your sofa
Getting rid of a sofa the eco way can be problematic, especially in city areas. Some Councils are unable to pick up a sofa from outside your property and most are unable to commit to a maximum response time of fewer than 2 weeks. Many city-dwellers may be unable to get their sofa safely outside and most will want them taken away quickly. We’ve included some suggestions to help prevent your sofa going to waste.
Sofa, so good?
If your sofa is in good condition with the fire labels attached, it could be worth checking with a charity to see if they can organise a free collection. This will not only save you money, but ensure that the sofa is reused, which is even better than recycling. National charities which could help include British Heart Foundation, Shelter and Reuse Network. However, if you’re getting a replacement and you don’t want to have the old model hanging around for too long, then we at Just Clear can help remove your old sofa for you on a scheduled day and time.
Is it really time to say goodbye?
Before you consider getting rid of your sofa, think about reusing it. Try having it professionally cleaned, or rent a steam cleaner to remove any stains. Perhaps buy some new throws or pillows to freshen it up. Another possibility is having it reupholstered by a craftsman who can completely redo the foam, lining and fabric at a very high quality, but do your research – the service can cost as much as a new coach, but it’s worth it for a custom-made piece. If you don’t want your sofa in the living room, think about moving it to a guest room. If the time truly has come to say farewell to your sofa, contact our team.
Saying goodnight to your mattress
Like sofas, mattresses are tricky items to dispose of in urban areas where it can be difficult to get bulky items down the levels of a high-rise flat, or multiple stories of a townhouse. Councils can often offer distant pick-up dates making it problematic to leave mattresses outside a property for risk of inadvertently being accused of fly-tipping. Here we’ve suggested some options to avoid your mattress going to landfill.
Recycle, recycle, recycle
According to The Furniture Recycling Group, 167,000 tonnes of mattresses are sent to landfill every year in the UK – an alarming statistic when they are able to be recycled. Recycling facilities are popping up across the UK and will break down your mattress into its recyclable components. If you are unable to transport your mattress to your nearest recycling centre our full mattress disposal service includes pickup from anywhere on your property, after which we take every single mattress we collect to our headquarters to be stripped of its fabric and all parts are removed and recycled.
Help make someone’s life a little comfier
If you can prove that your mattress is still in good condition, you can consider donating it to charity. Organisations such as British Red Cross will resell your mattress and put the proceeds towards a good cause and others such as Furniture Donation Network directly give your mattress to someone in need. Several other charities also accept mattress donations, so if there is a cause you particularly want to support, it’s worth contacting the charity directly. Whatever the condition of your mattress our team will take it away for recycling, in addition to any other items you need disposing of while we’re at it!
We understand the challenges that disposing of waste safely and efficiently in a city environment can bring. Whether you are looking to remove rubbish after building work, dispose of garden waste or bulky furniture, or get rid of unwanted items during your office move, let our reputable and reliable team at Just Clear help.
Just Clear rubbish removal operate in several UK cities offering decontamination, home clearance, retail rubbish clearance and office clearance in London, Reading, waste removal in Belfast, office clearance in Newcastle, Scotland and more. Check our locations page for details.
