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What is Dumpster Diving?

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Dumpster diving involves salvaging goods from dumpsters, often those from businesses. The legality of dumpster diving and people’s opinions on it are complex. Let’s examine some of the key points about dumpster diving.

Legality of Dumpster Diving

The legality of dumpster diving varies country to country. Dumpster diving is actually legal at the federal level in the United States. It is also legal at the state level in all 50 states. It’s the county and city/town levels in which it can be illegal in some or all scenarios. Additionally, where dumpsters are located can affect the legality of dumpster diving. If a dumpster is on private property or if it’s locked, you would likely be breaking laws to dumpster dive. For example, walking onto someone’s private property to dumpster dive without permission would be illegal.

Perspectives from Business Owners

Businesses often have dumpsters that people may want to salvage in. However, every business owner has a unique perspective on this activity. Some may support recycling or reusing discarded products, while others may discourage it. Some may also worry about liability if someone were to get hurt while diving on their property. Others are more concerned about the mess people can leave from dumpster diving. On the other hand, there are some businesses where owners are willing to discuss the option and give permission.

Perspectives from Dumpster Divers

People who dumpster dive may do so for various reasons and have different outlooks on the practice. For some people, it is simply a means of survival if they do not have access to food or other necessary goods. For others, dumpster diving can be informed by a belief in recycling and reusing consumer goods to reduce environmental impacts.

Many people may donate items or food they find to people in need. Some people dumpster even dive to turn a profit, selling items they find. In addition, some people just enjoy it as a hobby.

Benefits and Downsides

Dumpster diving can be positive in many cases. Reducing waste and reusing items is certainly positive for the environment. It can also lead to a redistribution of goods and food to people who need them. If done legally and with permission, issues with business owners or the legal system are avoidable as well.

However, there are also a few potential downsides. From a diver’s perspective, it can be downright dangerous. Broken glass, needles, and other dangers can lurk in dumpsters. They can cause cuts, punctures, and other injuries that may be prone to infection or disease. There can even be biohazardous material present. Plus, some businesses may go out of their way to destroy food by adding bleach, glass, or chemicals to it before disposal. If ingested, this can be deadly. Expired food can be an issue sometimes too. Additionally, if divers are not courteous or law-abiding, they can cause trouble for business owners and communities.

Moon Dumpsters makes sure that waste disposal is as environmentally-friendly as possible, with efficient trucks and green disposal practices. To learn more about Moon’s full-service dumpster rentals and get the dumpsters you need, visit our website or call us at 502-414-8028 today!

Waste Disposal: Where Does Waste Go?

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When you throw your garbage or yard waste into a dumpster, it can be easy to never think about it again. All of that has to go somewhere, though. But where? There are a few main places your waste is most likely to go, depending on what it is and the waste disposal practices and regulations where you live. Let’s take a look at the main places that waste goes.

Landfills: The Main Form of Waste Disposal in the United States

Landfills are simply disposal sites for waste. Landfill workers carefully contain and monitor waste and waste byproducts in landfills to avoid contaminating groundwater, soil, and the air. Eventually, when landfills are completely full, they shut down. You can think of them as a way to isolate waste from the surrounding environment. In the United States, landfills are where most waste goes.

Recycling Centers

Recycling centers help repurpose items like plastics, glass, paper products, and metals. These centers sort through recyclable items and then compact them into ‘bales’ that can be sent to mills where they are processed into new materials. What is recyclable for you depends on the infrastructure and policies in your area, so always check your local and state practices.

Recycling, while still much less common than landfilling, has become more widely adopted in the past several decades. In 2015, for instance, 67.77 million tons of waste were recycled in the United States, with to 137.7 million tons of waste going to landfills. Compare this to 25 years prior- in 1990, only 29.04 million tons were recycled, with 145.27 million tons being landfilled. Recycling is a preferable alternative to landfilling today, since it means reusing materials as opposed to trying to contain them in a landfill.

Composting

Composting is another of the main ways to deal with waste. Compost facilities use controlled aerobic decomposition to help turn organic waste into a nutrient-rich soil conditioner. Many food scraps and bits of yard waste are compostable. The end product of composting can help grow plants and food. Many people create their own compost, and some communities have composting centers or facilities where community members can drop off organic matter waste. Composting has the benefits of lowering carbon footprints, enriching soil, and reducing the need for chemical fertilizers.

Waste Combustion: A Declining Method of Waste Disposal

Combustion is another approach for disposing of waste. Municipal solid waste incinerator facilities burn waste at an extremely high temperature. They then use steam produced from incineration to create energy. However, this process has significant negative impacts on the environment and local communities. They increase pollution in their communities, most of which are lower-income communities of color in the United States. Support for this form of disposal in the US seems to be diminishing, particularly because the remaining facilities in the United States are aging and have old, inefficient technology. But in other parts of the world like Europe, combustion waste management is quickly becoming more accepted. These facilities also have better technology that is potentially safer for the environment and communities.

Moon Dumpsters  makes sure that waste disposal is as environmentally-friendly as possible, with efficient trucks and green disposal practices. To learn more about Moon’s full-service dumpster rentals and get the dumpsters you need, visit our website or call us at 502-414-8028 today!

A green dumpster sitting in front of a house

The Origin of the Dumpster

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The dumpster is a common utility container all around the world. Dumpsters are so commonplace in everyday life that you may have never stopped to think about where they came from. Prior to their invention, waste disposal was a significant hindrance to public health in areas of high population. The dumpster helped solve sanitation issues that many cities faced in the early 20th century by making waste disposal more efficient and less labor-intensive. 

Here’s a look at the origin of the dumpster. 

George Dempster

The story of the dumpster starts with George Dempster in the 1930’s. Dempster owned a construction business with his brothers in Knoxville, Tennessee. His experience with the logistics of transporting waste in the construction business sparked the idea for the dumpster, which he eventually created and patented in 1935.  

Dempster’s design initially involved a pulley system that was mounted to a motorized truck. Containers were raised by pins welded to their sides, and then transported and emptied through a hinged door. Dempster first used this system for his construction business to handle waste. However, as sanitation issues became more and more significant in cities, the Dempster dumpster became a widespread solution. 

The Dumpster as a Sanitation Solution

Prior to the dumpster, waste collection and removal was extremely inefficient. Garbage and debris (particularly in cities) regularly piled up along streets and on sidewalks. Cities required a lot of labor to mitigate this public health hazard. While waste could be hauled away by carriage, and later by the Model T Ford, this still involved a lot of manual labor. Workers had to load and unload garbage by hand. 

The Dempster dumpster allowed sanitary, enclosed storage for waste near places of business and residence, and made it easy to remove waste and return the container quickly. Crucially, the technology reduced the amount of hands-on labor required for sanitation. A single person could now pick up and handle waste collection with a dumpster. In 1937, Nashville, Tennessee became the first city to purchase the dumpster, becoming an early adopter of a technology that is now everywhere. 

Later models of the dumpster evolved for greater efficiency. Dempster improved the initial model by adding hydraulic lifting with chains and pivot arms, outstripping the lifting power of the old model’s cables and pulleys. Post-World War II, Dempster went on to design a single-axle end-dumping container with ten cubic yards of volume. This design, called the Dempster Kolector, allowed trucks to haul the containers behind them for quick collection, emptying, and delivery.  

Dempster created technology related to dumpsters as well. In the 1950’s, Dempster’s company created the Dempster-Dumpmaster, an early model for what we now know as the garbage truck. The front-loading design allowed truck drivers to empty multiple dumpsters in one trip without ever leaving their seats. 

Modern Dumpster Technology

It’s safe to say that Dempster’s inventions have played a huge role in shaping waste collection and sanitation as we know them today. Dumpster designs have changed over the years and there are numerous options on the market. 

Companies like Moon Dumpsters now offer dumpsters ranging from 6 to 40 cubic yards, and roll-off dumpsters and other designs are now common. Moon also makes sure that waste disposal is as environmentally-friendly as possible, with efficient trucks and green disposal practices. To learn more about Moon’s full-service dumpster rentals and get the dumpsters you need, visit our website or call us at 502-414-8028 today!

dumpster rentals in lexington kentucky

Dumpster Rentals in Lexington Kentucky

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With a population of 321,951 Lexington, Kentucky is most famously known as the horse capital of the world. Businesses like UPS, Amazon, and Toyota Manufacturing are some of the largest operators and employers within the city. Known for it’s history, bourbon and horses, Lexington is also a popular college town. The University of Kentucky is just one of 15 colleges and vocational programs in the area.

Moon Dumpsters is locally owned and operated out of Lexington, Kentucky and offers the largest selection of roll off dumpsters on the market. With 7 different sizes to choose from, Moon Dumpsters is the best option for dumpster rentals in Lexington Kentucky. All of Moon’s dumpsters are lightweight and can be easily maneuvered within tight spaces. Sizes range from 6 yards to 40 and are suitable for both residential and commercial applications such as:

  • Commercial Recycling
  • Construction Sites
  • Demolitions
  • Manufacturing Facilities
  • Renovations
  • Clean Outs 

Residential Dumpsters

Moon’s dumpsters are the ideal solution for those undergoing a major home clean out or renovation. Our 6, 9, 12, 16 and 20 cubic yard dumpsters are just the right size to hold debris from any kitchen and bathroom remodel or DIY project. For those moving a relative out or making a move themselves, Moon Dumpsters is an affordable option that will help get the job done quickly. Finally cleaning out the garage or basement? Don’t let the extra debris pile up as you wait for weekly pick up.

When you rent from Moon you won’t be the eye sore of the neighborhood. We deliver clean and properly maintained dumpsters that are driveway safe. Upon delivery, each dumpster is placed on boards for optimal surface protection. When you’re ready to have it picked up, just call us and we will promptly haul away both the dumpster and trash from your residence so you don’t have to load up your personal vehicle and make multiple trips to the landfill.

Commercial Dumpsters

The right sized dumpster is an integral part to keeping any work site safe and clean. Whether you’re a residential contractor or on a major job site, Moon’s dumpsters are durable enough to handle the job. We offer short term and long term contracts and will haul away roofing or fencing material leftover from a demolition. Our commercial dumpsters are also a great fit for those looking to simplify their recycling efforts or streamline their company’s waste. With 30 and 40 cubic yard options, no task or need is too big!

When it comes to dumpster rentals in Lexington Kentucky, we offer unbeatable prices and customer service. To reserve a dumpster for your next project, call Moon Dumpsters at 502-443-1638.

 

Louisville Dumpster Rental Company Adds More Dumpster Sizes Including 30 Cubic Yard and 40 Cubic Yard to Product Offerings

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Moon Dumpster Rentals Louisville & Lexington KY

Moon Dumpsters’ Bob Jones is excited to announce the line of commercial dumpsters to the Kentuckiana area.

Louisville, Kentucky February 07, 2019 Business News

(PRLEAP.COM) Moon Dumpsters offers roll-off dumpsters for rent in a variety of sizes to suit commercial and residential use to customers in Louisville and Lexington, Kentucky and the surrounding regions. Locally-owned and operated and headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, Moon Dumpsters is also able to accommodate dumpster orders in areas throughout Kentucky as well as in Southern Indiana.

Moon Dumpsters has been serving customers across Kentucky and Southern Indiana for over a decade. The company works hard to deliver a clean high-quality product in a timely fashion at an affordable price – operating with the tagline: “Ask for the Moon and Get It!”

The dumpster rental company has a large inventory, providing customers with a wide selection of dumpster options ranging in size from 6 cubic yards to 20 cubic yards. Most recently 30 and 40 cubic yard dumpsters have been added to Moon’s extensive line.

Moon Dumpster company’s Bob Jones explains this decision: “We really wanted to be able to better serve our commercial customers. After noticing an increased demand for larger dumpsters, we invested in a new fleet of 30 and 40 cubic yard dumpsters to add to our inventory. We’re very excited to be able to better serve area businesses with our dumpster service.” Read more about Moon Dumpster Rentals HERE.