Top Tips for Managing Waste During Home Improvements

So, you are thinking about some home improvements?

Well, good on you, there will be plenty of stresses along the way & a mountain of waste...so, knowing the best way to deal with that waste can keep your home improvements running smoothly & more peaceful. 

Did you know that on average, UK home improvements creates up 14 million tonnes of waste each year in the UK? 

This means, it is crucial that when you are carrying out home improvements that you have a bit of a plan together for how you are going to reduce or dispose of the waste that comes from your shiny new bits going in! 

Well, as per usual, we have done the hard graft for you & thrown together some top tips for how to keep on top of your waste. (You only have the backbreaking stuff left to do, how lucky are you to have us ey)

In this blog, you will find tips for reducing the waste generated, how to plan ahead & how to properly dispose of your rubbish. Basically, all the key stuff you need to manage & keep your household waste under control! 

Why Waste Management is Crucial During Home Improvements

Firstly, it is important for your stress levels and sometimes that can be the most important thing to keep you sane! 

Home improvements is great once it is completed, but the process & the waste it generates can leave you want to pulling your hair out, or if you are like us (Wishing you had hair to pull out in the first place).

This is why waste management is crucial. It keeps your organised, stress levels down & improves the overall efficiency of your project. 

Plan Ahead for Waste Disposal in Your Renovation Project

Importance of a Waste Management Plan

You need to create a clear waste management plan that can help you to effectively handle all types of debris and unused materials that you may have. 

Focus on: How it will be separated, Type of waste being produced, How it is going to be disposed of etc. 

Planning like this helps you to avoid any last minute holes in your wallet from extra purchases or that late phone call to a skip hire company because you need one last minute, as you didn't fully plan how much waste there is going to be. 

Estimating Waste Generation

With any type of home renovation, there is always going to be waste flying around, whether it is a small or large home improvement. To help you avoid those surprise disposal fees, make sure to always try and estimate the amount any types of waste that you are expecting. 

If you don't know where to start to estimate the amount of waste, use an online calculator. There are various calculators online that you can use. 

Hiring Waste Removal Services or Renting a Skip

Waste Removal Services:

For smaller projects, consider hiring waste removal services, where professionals collect and dispose of your waste responsibly. Many services will even sort recyclable materials, saving time and maximising your eco-friendliness.

Renting a Skip:

If you definitely know that it is going to be a larger home improvement, it may be ideal to hire a skip for your project. This allows you to dispose of waste as it is created. Speak with the skip hire company to ensure that you are getting the best possible size that fits all your needs. 

(Shameless plug time) At Busy Bins, we have a range of skip sizes available & have a specialised team available to ensure that you get the right sized skip & right rental time for any project that you are carrying out. 

Reuse and Re-purpose Old Materials

If, when you are ripping out your old bits, you find that there are some old materials in your household that could be repurposed, then why not use them? 

Before, you plan to rip out the old kitchen or bathroom, have a look around to see if there are any materials already in there that could come in handy for up-cycling or reusing. 

Rent Tools Instead of Buying

Now, if you are taking on the home renovations yourself, you may feel the need to taking a lovely day out to B&Q to splash some cash on new tools that you may or may not need, or might only use one in it's 20 year lifetime.

Don't!

Look to rent tools instead of buying them, or even better, ask family members if they have any tools to borrow. If your family members & friends don't have any to borrow or are feeling a bit stingy, don't worry, there are plenty of renting spots out there, so that you don't have to shell out loads of money for brand new ones. 

Here are some sites where you can rent tools for a period of time: 

HSS - You can find anything from power tools all the way to garden and cleaning equipment.

Website: www.hss.com

National Tool Hire - Probably one of the most well known tool renting companies in the UK. 

Website: www.nationaltoolhireshops.co.uk

Speedy Hire -  Speedy Hire provides a lot of tools with flexible rental options.

Website: www.speedyservices.com

Avoid Over-Purchasing Supplies

Now, this one can be tough, especially if you are hiring a company or tradesman to do the work for you. Always ensure you have a chat with them in regards to how much material that you will need. 

Even if you are working with a tradesman, you can always advise them that you are wanting to purchase the materials for the job and that you just need them to complete the construction. 

If you are working on your own home improvements, there are a few steps that you should follow to over over-purchasing your supplies and spending unnecessary money. 

Order in Phases: Buy materials in different stages of your home improvement to avoid waste if you have to change your plans at all. 

Return Unused Materials: If you have any unopened & unused materials, don't be afraid to take it back and ask for a refund. Many suppliers will accept returns as long as they are unopened. 

Hire Eco-Conscious Contractors

Search around for eco-conscious contractors (We know it is a bit of a mouthful) that people have recommended, to ensure you are picking traders that really care about their waste & materials. 

Look for contractors who specialise in eco-friendly renovations. This helps to ensure that waste reduction, recycling and other sustainable practices are followed throughout the whole home improvement process. 

To give you peace of mind ask the contractor to provide a full, comprehensive waste management plan that details how they are going to: recycle, dispose & help you keep waste as low as possible on your DIY project. 

Best Practices for Disposing of Renovation Debris

• Paint and Chemicals: Whatever you don't pour it down the drain! When it comes to left over paints or solvents, these are actually classed as hazardous waste due to their toxicity, so check with your local council or search online for a hazardous waste collection company. 
• Asbestos: If it is an older home that you live in, there may be Asbestos hidden somewhere that you didn't know about. If you do locate this, make sure to call a licensed professional to get rid of it. ​
• Batteries and Electronics: Now you don't even need to be doing home improvements for there to be a plethora of batteries and electronic waste scattered around your house. So, use the improvements as a time to get rid of the old electronic waste, batteries & bulbs. Your local tip will most likely take these in but have a quick Google yourself to make sure. 

Conclusion

As long as you keep a close eye on your waste as an when you are doing your home improvements, you will be totally fine. 

It is always going to be a stressful experience, but as long as you follow our top tips, your waste doesn't have to be the thing bringing the stresses to you. 

Remember, if you are looking for a local waste collection company to help you with the disposal, Busy Bins can be your right hand helper. 

Here are some reasons to use us for your next renovation disposal: 

• Over 1200 5* reviews on Google, Facebook & Reviews.io
• All waste sent to an Waste To Energy Plant. NO LANDFILL DISPOSAL.  
• Bin Collections, Junk Removal & Skip Hire Services. 
• Cover the whole of Greater Manchester. 
• Over 50 years of waste experience (Move over weight watchers)