Here are a few funny (yet true) cartoons! Enjoy!
Posts Tagged ‘trash removal’
Global Warming Cartoons!!!
Saturday, September 4th, 2010Paint Disposal 101
Monday, November 30th, 2009
Trash Wizard Junk Removal gets rid of tons of trash, rubbish and construction debris weekly and we always come across the same questions from our customers, “Do you take paint?” and “How do you get rid of it?”. The answer to the first question is “Yes, we do,” and here’s how we do it:
First let’s take a second to identify what is considered ‘hazardous’ and some tips on handling them:
- Oil based paints and stains. These items contain VOC’s or ‘volatile organic compounds’ that vaporize at room temperature. These vapors can be harmful, if not toxic, when inhaled. Be sure to open oil based paints and stains in a well ventilated area.
- Oil based paints and stains are flammable, so keep them away from extreme heat, sparks and flames.
- Oil based paints and stains also contain lead, chromium, mercury or cadmium, which are toxic to humans, animals and the environment.
To handle extra paints and stains take the following steps to ensure proper containment and disposal:
- Look for municipal paint collection programs within your city.
- Try to donate any excess quantities. Community programs, art centers and theater groups are always in need of paints and stains for their projects. Try www.freecycle.com or www.Craigslist.org to put your old paint to good e.
- Latex paints can be disposed of as regular trash if it is dry. Try filling used paint cans with kitty litter to absorb the leftover paint. Then let it sit with the top off to dry. Once that’s done you can throw it in a trash bag and leave it curbside for pick-up.
- You can also do the same thing with hardened oil based paints and stains.
Paints that contain lead, mercury, chromium or cadmium:
- Do NOT use them and do NOT give away. Toxic metals will remain in any items that are treated with the paints or stains.
- Take to municipal paint collection program, if accepted, or save for a hazardous household waste collection day or take to a commercial hazardous waste facility.
Empty paint cans:
- Empty paint cans may be accepted in community scrap metal programs. The Steel Recycling Institute at 508-266-1847 will provide suggestions for communities looking to recycle paint cans.
- If recycling is not available, empty paint cans can be disposed of in the trash. Leave lids off so the hauler can see that the can is empty.
For more information on this subject visit: Mass.Gov
And as always Trash Wizard Junk Removal encourages everyone to ‘Reuse, Reduce and Recycle’!
Recycling Styrofoam
Sunday, November 22nd, 2009
Peanuts anyone?
Now that the holiday season is upon us, it’s only a matter of time before we start collecting copious amounts of Styrofoam. Usually used as packaging material, Styrofoam is actually a product brand – polystyrene being the material itself. Ever wonder what happens to all that Styrofoam packing?
Most people are content with just discarding their left over packing in the trash. The fact is that polystyrene takes a long time to break down. Some reports say 50 years, while others say a million! Whatever the case may be, the truth is that it never truly breaks down and returns to nature. Polystyrene has a myriad of uses from meat and electronic packing, to the ingredients in napalm and hydrogen bombs!
Besides that, during its production a chemical called benzene is added which is a known human carcinogen. Also, when it is burned polystyrene releases a styrene gas that can affect the nervous system.
But fear not, Trash Wizard Junk Removal will give you some alternate ways on getting rid of the little Styrofoam peanuts you’ve acquired this holiday season.
- Hold on to your Styrofoam and reuse it for packing. How many times have you needed to mail a package and needed some extra padding?
- See if local craft centers will take it off your hands. Many craft shops use Styrofoam in their projects.
- Try to donate it to local schools. With budget cuts in the areas of Art and Music, Art teachers would most likely appreciate free materials for their students.
- Visit Earth911.org and enter the term “polystyrene”. Then enter your zip code to get a list of companies and organizations that will be able to take it off your hands.
- Check out the Alliance of Foam Packaging Recyclers. They offer a mail back program that is pretty economical considering Styrofoam weighs next to nothing.
- Got alot of Styrofoam (and we mean alot) and looking to make some money? Check out American Chemistry and act as a buyer or seller of all types of polystyrene products.
We hope the above information was helpful and remember:
‘Reuse, Reduce and Recycle‘!
Trash Wizard “We Make Your Junk Disappear”!
Winterize your home
Friday, November 13th, 2009
Save $$$ this Winter!!!
During the winter months it’s important to reduce your home’s overall heating costs and energy use. Here are a few tips that any homeowner can follow to ensure that their home will run at a lower cost during these cold New England months.
- The outside of your home is just as important as the inside of your home when it comes to winterizing. Make sure to fill any holes from exterior to interior piping or wires with insulating foam to cut down on drafts that may sneak in.
- Don’t forget to disconnect any outside hoses, it could lead to cracked faucets or atleast a ruined hose. Drain all hoses and store them in warm place to protect from cracking and splitting.
- Cleaning out your gutters will allow melting ice drain properly after melting and will reduce the chances of water and freeze damage to your home.
- When you fire up your furnace for the first time be sure to open your windows. A mild to strong smell is normal but if it persists be sure to contact a heating system professional to rule out any problems. Make sure you do this before the long, harsh New England winter sets upon you.
- Check your attic to make sure you have enough insulation. On average you should have approximately 12 inches of insulation and it will greatly reduce your heat loss and save you a bundle on heating expenses.
- If you have duct work make sure it is properly connected and ventilated. In the long run you’ll save more money and ensure healthy air quality in your home.
- For older homes, be sure to put down/ in your storm windows. If its a newer home, you can purchase insulator kits that can be applied to each window for under $5 a window and it can be removed in the Spring.
- Have your chimney inspected or atleast cleaned once a year to eliminate creosote build up and to be sure no foreign objects are lodged in there (animals, tree debris, toys etc). If you’re looking for a cheap alternative to a chimney sweep and inspection you can purchase creosote logs that can be burned in your fireplace or wood burning stove. They cost around $15 and can remove up to 70% of the creosote in your chimney or flue.
- Reversing your ceiling fans will force rising warm air back towards the ground. How can you tell? The fan blades should be spinning clockwise. This will allow the warm air to recirculate and save you more money on monthly heating costs.
- Also, check batteries on smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. This is a must during the winter with furnaces, heating systems and fireplaces in use.
- Turning down the heat when your not home or sleeping is a great way to cut costs and reduce your carbon footprint. Throw on some extra clothing or use a blanket when relaxing on the couch at night, your wallet will thank you!
These are just a few helpful hints from Trash Wizard Junk Removal. This winter save a bundle by bundling up!
Got Yard Debris?
Friday, October 2nd, 2009Fall is officially here! The trees are already turning and losing their leaves, the kids are back in school and the mornings are cold. Trash Wizard Junk Removal is reminding everyone that we also remove yard waste and debris this time of year to accommodate all of our customers.
Worcester currently offers a few drop off sites and their hours of operation are listed below. Visit www.ci.worcester.ma.us/ for more information.
The Worcester Public Works Department currently operates three yard waste drop-off sites for all Worcester residents. These sites are located at:
* Millbury Street (Next to the VFW Post)
* Chandler Street (Parking lot across from Foley Stadium)
* Clark Street (Near the East Mountain St. intersection)
Hours of Operation
Chandler Street and Clark Street Locations:
* Wednesdays 8:30 AM – 3:00 PM
* Saturdays 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Millbury Street Location:
* Wednesdays 8:30 AM – 3:00 PM
* Saturdays 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
* Sundays 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
These sites open again in December for several weeks to offer Christmas Tree Drop-Off.
“Yard Waste” is defined as leaves, grass clippings, garden materials, shrub/hedge trimmings, weeds, and brush one inch or less in diameter. The yard waste drop-off and composting program is the most cost-effective method to collect and dispose of yard waste and leaves. The Department of Public Works composts approximately 10,000 tons of leaf and yard waste every year. After the material is composted, it is used as a soil enrichment for City use, and is offered free to City residents.
NOTE: THE 1065 MILLBURY ST, FORMERLY CALLED 115 BALLARD ST, YARD IS THE ONLY SITE THAT ACCEPTS LARGE BRANCHES AND LOOSE BRUSH, AS FOLLOWS:
* The large branch and loose brush drop-off service is only available during regular drop-off days and times. (see above).
* Max size of limbs is eight (8) inches in diameter and eight (8) feet in length.
Loose (untied or un-baled) brush can be dropped off at this site; however, loads must be secured and/or covered while transporting loose materials to the drop-off site. NO tree stumps will be accepted.
As with each of our drop-off sites we remind residents of some important rules:
* All sites are for Worcester resident use only. I.D. is required to confirm City residency.
* No yard waste from commercial sources will be accepted.
* Dumping materials other than yard waste and/or on days when the sites are closed is strictly forbidden and is considered illegal dumping.
* Illegal dumping is subject to a minimum $200.00 fine. To report illegal dumping, call (508) 799-8547.
* Brush must be tied or bundled in lengths not exceeding three (3) feet, or taken to the Millbury Street Yard. (see above).
Residents may take yard waste to the drop-off site in bio-degradable paper bags, plastic bags or any other type of container. Only bio-degradable paper bags can be left at the drop-off site. All other containers will be given back to the resident.
The DPW Yard Waste and Leaf Program has eliminated a substantial amount of material from the solid waste stream, thereby reducing disposal costs as well as providing finished compost for residents and City use. The City offers residents an environmentally friendly solution to the growing demands associated with the disposal of yard waste and leaf products in an urban environment.
Any questions about this program or any solid waste issue,
please call the DPW Customer Service Center at (508) 929-1300.
For more information on Trash Wizard’s Fall and Winter services, please feel free to call 1-888-55WIZARD (94927) or Book Online at TrashWizard.com
Planet Aid Drop Boxes
Tuesday, September 29th, 2009Trash Wizard Junk Removal will be hosting a Planet Aid box for the convenient use of all residents on the West Side of Worcester.
Planet Aid is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to improving the lives of people in the US, as well as, in developing countries. They provide development, relief aid, and environmental services throughout the world.
Their activities in the US consist of recycling and clothing collection, environmental education and fundraising and they also form partnerships with development projects abroad.
You’ve probably seen the ubiquitous yellow boxes in parking lots and on business properties throughout the state. Planet Aid currently has more than 10,000 collection boxes from Massachusetts to Missouri. These clothes are collected then resold to raise funds for development projects such as supporting schools, building health programs and improving HIV/AIDS prevention in Africa, Asia, and Central America
If anyone knows a company that would like to host a box here is some more useful information:
- Hosting a box is FREE
- Planet Aid empties the boxes as often as needed (Even daily in some cases!)
- If you decide you no longer want it Planet Aid will remove it within a week.
- If valuables are accidentally placed in the box Planet Aid will send a diver to open the box.
- If there is anything lying outside the box Planet Aid will remove it immediately.
- These boxes are fire proof and inaccessible from the outside
For more information on hosting a Planet Aid box call (888) 893-0648 or contact Pam Flagg Caponette at (508) 893-0644 x 221
stART on the Street 2009
Wednesday, September 23rd, 2009Trash Wizard Junk Removal was a proud sponsor of ‘stART on the Street 2009‘! The turn out was great, the weather beautiful and the art work was amazing! Alot of local companies came out to set up shop, including Jumpin’ Juice and Java, Casella’s and Eri Design was working the crowd handing out flyers.
Eric Sturtevant of SturtevantIllustrations.com was gracious enough to allow me to take his picture alongside some of his artwork (which I found to be one of the best at the event!) and the staff from Jumpin Juice and Java whipped me up a tasty smoothie and posed for the camera as well.
All in all, the day turned out great! Good music, amazing art and fresh food? Who could ask for more on a Sunday?
Special Fall Pricing!!! $265 a Load
Thursday, September 17th, 2009Trash Wizard Junk Removal of Worcester understands that after summer vacations, and sending the kids back to school, money is tight. Unfortunately, junk and clutter continues to pile up regardless of what’s going on in our lives. That’s why Trash Wizard has dropped it’s price from $350 a load to $265 a load for the Fall months. We still take everything and anything that isn’t hazardous and we NEVER charge extra for t.v.’s, appliances, mattresses etc. If you want it gone we’ll take it! Trash Wizard Makes Your Junk Disappear!
For the residents of Westboro and Northboro we’re running an exclusive ad with WickedLocal.com that will be mailed out to 11,626 residents. This ad will give Westboro and Northboro residents $100 off a $350 load!
Trash Wizard has dumpster prices but without the labor. Let us do the work for you! ‘Fast, Friendly and Affordable’ – That’s our motto!
Home Depot Light Bulb Recycling
Tuesday, September 15th, 2009Here at Trash Wizard Junk Removal of Worcester, MA we’re continuing a previous article on proper mercury disposal. The original posting will explain the dangers of mercury and this up-to-date post will give a more in depth look at some common questions surrounding a common product containing mercury: Compact Fluorescent Light (CFL) bulbs.
Compared to incandescent light bulbs, CFL bulbs are more energy efficient and cost effective. These CFL bulbs use 75% less electricity, while lasting nearly 10 times as long as regular incandescent bulbs.
If every home in America replaced just one incandescent bulb with an ENERGY STAR qualified CFL, it would save enough energy to light more than 3 million homes.
But even with the great benefits of these CFL bulbs, they should still be properly disposed of. According to Home Depot‘s website they offer nationwide drop boxes store wide. All you have to do is take your old, unbroken bulbs and wrap them in a plastic bag. Then go to your nearest Home Depot to deposit them in one of their in-store drop boxes. Home Depot will do the rest!
Most of you are probably reading this and wondering, “Why are they still using mercury in these new CFL bulbs if it’s dangerous?”. That’s a good question. But unfortunately, mercury is a necessary element in light bulbs because the mercury excites the phosphors in the bulb allowing a glow to manifest and thus produce ‘light’.
Newer CFL bulbs contain about 5 milligrams of mercury which is the equivalent of the tip on a ballpoint pen. In comparison, older house hold thermostats contain around 3,000 milligrams of mercury! If you converted that amount of mercury to reflect today’s CFL bulbs you could produce 600 bulbs that would in turn save each user $30 per light bulb in energy costs over the life span of the bulb! So do the math–by discontinuing the production of just ONE older, antiquated thermostat it would save around $18,000 in energy costs! That’s a pretty impressive feat.
Stay tuned to learn more about emerging trends in Recycling, Energy consumption and reducing our carbon footprint from Trash Wizard Junk Removal! Reduce, Reuse and Recycle!!!
Haz You Seen This?
Sunday, September 6th, 2009Trash Wizard Junk Removal of Worcester, MA has provided the following information from Earth911.com
What Makes Things Hazardous?
Household Hazardous Waste is any product that is discarded from a home or a similar source that contains volatile chemicals that are:
- Ignitable: capable of burning or causing a fire (e.g. flammable or combustible products)
- Corrosive: capable of eating away materials and destroying living tissue when contact occurs (e.g. acids and alkaline bases)
- Explosive and/or Reactive: capable of causing an explosion or releasing dangerous or poisonous fumes when exposed to air, water or other chemicals
- Toxic: poisonous, either immediately or over a long period of exposure time (e.g. pesticides, herbicides, mercury)
- Radioactive: capable of damaging and destroying cells and chromosomal material
Just a few examples of HHW are used motor oil, oil-based paint, auto batteries, gasoline and pesticides. The term HHW refers specifically to those products used in and around the common household, not used for any industrial purpose.
These products can be harmful to living things, the environment and to the people handing them if they are not disposed of properly. This means HHW should never be dumped on the ground, down the drain or thrown in the trash.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Americans generate 1.6 million tons of HHW per year. The average home alone at any one time can accumulate as much as 100 pounds of HHW in basements, garages, under the sink and in storage closets.
If you’re a Worcester resident looking to properly dispose of any items that may be hazardous, feel free to contact the Worcester Public Works & Parks department. They provide specific dates and times for drop-off and pick-up through out the year.
Help protect our Earth one city at a time! Reduce, Reuse and Recycle!!!