How to Get Rid of an old Water Heater?

When you realised you needed to buy a new heater, getting rid of your old heater probably wasn’t in your thoughts. However, you are standing here with two water heaters: a new one and an old one. Many homeowners opt to buy their brand-new heater from a business that specialises in marketing and setting up water heaters.

If you chose to go this route, you probably won’t have to worry about how to get rid of your water heater because the firm will probably carry it away for you. However, if you are a do-it-yourself kind of person, then it might be challenging.

Disposing of a water heater might be difficult. The laws vary in every state. Cross check with your local when you use the following methods to dispose of the water heater.

Removing Water Heater

What comes first in disposing of water heaters? Take your old water heater out of the mounting position. You should proceed with caution since there may be dangers to your health and safety.

Removing Water Heater

Here are some quick removal guidelines for water heaters:

  • Your water heater should be turned off. For gas heaters, this entails closing the gas valve.
  • Drain your water heater after turning the power off.
  • Remove the water heater finally. If the water heater has been “hard plumbed” into place, you might also require a good, strong saw to remove it.

How to Get Rid of old Water Heater?

Donate It

You might be able to donate your water heater if it is in good condition and still functional. Ask your neighbourhood Goodwill or another donation facility if they take functional water heaters. If they do, you will be able to make a tax-deductible donation in addition to helping someone in need.

How to Get Rid of an old Water Heater - Donate it

You might try placing an advertisement in your neighbourhood newspaper if you can’t find an organisation that will accept your money. If your old heater isn’t working anymore, advertising might also help. You might be able to find a buyer for the metal scrap.

Put Your Water Heater in the Garbage

Call the rubbish collection service. Large appliances can be picked up at the curb in some places, and they frequently go through the recycling or refurbishing process. If your waste service offers this programme, disposal is as easy as draining your water heater and transferring it to the curb, though you’ll probably have to pay for the service.

Take Your Water Heater to a Landfill

Contact your neighbourhood landfill if you are unable to locate a recycling facility. Water heaters are typically accepted, and disposal is normally charged. They occasionally offer a recycling programme. Of course, it’s advisable to first explore other approaches.

Recycle Your Water Heater

Water heaters can be taken and scrapped by a lot of recycling businesses for their metal. The majority of water heater tanks are built of steel with copper and brass fittings. Recycling this kind of metal helps the environment in many ways. However, some recycling facilities could charge you a fee to dispose of the appliance. Most recycling facilities will pay you the market amount. Some recycling facilities may even arrange to take up your old heater from your house.

Before delivering the unit, make sure to get in touch with your recycling facility as state restrictions on scrap metal recycling vary. Many states demand that the vendor have a valid ID and be at least 18 years old.

Recycle Your Water Heater

You can check with your local government if you can’t find a recycling facility that will take your old water heater. They frequently have plans to assist locals in getting rid of items like water heaters.

Repurpose Your Old Hot Water Heater

Upcycling is a more recent development in the recycling industry. It involves taking an old pointless item that would end up in a landfill and transforming it into something new. Your old water heater may also benefit from using this method.

Hire a Junk Removal Service

A rubbish disposal company like Express Waste Removal will arrange for a pickup and take care of your water heater disposal. They will pick up your water heater from wherever it is located and offer same-day pickup. Considering they will even clean up after themselves, you won’t need to do much more than making the call.

Hire a Junk Removal Service

Whenever feasible, Express Waste Removal recycles or donates the items they collect to avoid sending them to landfills.

Ways to Reduce Waste at Home

Our earth is currently experiencing a trash crisis, with plastic present everywhere. Additionally, it is up to us as people to take action. Since adopting veganism and embracing minimalism, I have been more conscious of my footprint and have explored various methods to make little but significant adjustments to my lifestyle to reduce my trash.

Here are a few simple methods you may use to reduce waste. On this list, there are at least a few things you can alter right away to reduce your waste footprint.

What is Household Waste?

Waste generated by households is known as “household waste”. Hazardous and non-hazardous waste might be included in this waste. Food scraps, paper, bottles, and other items that can be recycled or composted are examples of non-hazardous waste. Batteries and household cleaners are a couple of examples of hazardous garbage.

Ways to Reduce Waste at Home

1. Avoid Plastics

Ways to Reduce Waste at Home - Avoid Plastics

Since plastic cannot be recycled, managing plastic waste can be challenging. This is one of the primary reasons why you should avoid plastic bags. When you go shopping at the grocery store, bring your bag. Do not keep cooking supplies in plastic containers. Use glass to store things. Both the environment and your family will benefit from it.

2. Say No to Bottled Water

Bring a reusable water bottle with you. The idea that bottled water is healthier than tap water is not true. Tap water has more stringent quality and safety requirements. By adopting the tap and not using bottled water, you can benefit the environment, your health, and your pocketbook.

3. Stop Buying Unnecessary Things

Simply cutting back on your purchases can go a long way toward reducing your waste. One of the easiest ways to cut down on waste is to simply say no to items you don’t need and to be grateful for what you already have.

4. Compost Your Food Waste

Compost Your Food Waste

Food scraps probably make up the majority of the weight in your trash container. So, try to compost it. Unfortunately, food waste that is disposed of in landfills cannot decompose correctly and releases methane, a greenhouse gas. Therefore, by composting, you’re lowering these emissions into the atmosphere. Therefore, start composting if you have a garden, or if not, look for alternative options.

5. Save Leftovers

Don’t reserve leftovers for holidays. Although many people save the leftovers from large meals, they frequently forget about them and throw them when they go bad. To make sure you don’t forget the meal, store leftovers in a clear glass container rather than one that is opaque.

Designate a day to use up any leftovers that have been collected in the fridge. It’s a fantastic strategy to stop tossing food away. It also helps you save time and money.

6. Find a New Home for Old Furniture

Find a New Home for Old Furniture

Why not find a new home for your old furniture? Put a “free” sign on it, donate it to a nearby charity, or list an internet ad to sell or give it away. Even some donation centres pick up your old furniture on their own.

7. Buy Secondhand Items and Donate Used Goods

Consider purchasing it secondhand before making a new purchase.  By buying used goods, you’ll not only prevent items from going to the landfill but also save a lot of money.

8. Keep Your Fridge Clutter-Free

Probably familiar with the adage “out of sight, out of mind” This is especially relevant when discussing food. A well-stocked refrigerator can be beneficial, but an overstuffed one can result in excessive food waste.

By keeping your fridge tidy, you can easily view your food and keep track of when it was bought, preventing food spoiling. The “first in, first out” (FIFO) strategy of stocking your refrigerator is an excellent one. For instance, when you purchase a fresh carton of berries, place the most recent package behind the older one. This makes it more likely that spoiled food will be consumed.

9. Choose Paperless Billing

Choose Paperless Billing

Most businesses in today’s digital world send invoices through email, and some even provide incentives for doing so. E-receipts are also being offered by more retailers, which is wonderful because they are more difficult to lose if you need to return something. Think about purchasing digital subscriptions to your favourite magazines so you can read them on a computer or tablet. Additionally, digital subscriptions are frequently a little less expensive than the print edition.

These are a few ways in which you help to reduce your household waste. We (Express Waste Removals) can lend our hand to remove your household waste in an environmentally friendly manner. Cleaning a lot of household waste by yourself is a time and energy-consuming process. So, try to reach out to the people who are experts in this field.

How to Get Rid of an Old Sofa?

You can’t just leave an old sofa outside your house and expect it to be picked up like trash. Sofas and other substantial pieces of furniture are categorised as bulky rubbish, and your local council typically has limits on how it is picked up and typically charges a fee to dispose of it.

However, you are likely attempting to figure out how to get rid of an old sofa if you are here reading this post. So let’s dive right into that.

How to Get Rid of an Old Sofa?

Refinish or reupholster it

Consider refinishing your sofa to give it a brand-new look before deciding to get rid of it. Analyze the furniture’s material. Desks and tables are typically made of wood or a wood-like material, whereas patio furniture is typically made of metal. Typically, leather, linen, or cotton are used to cover couches and chairs. You should get in touch with a scrap metal dealer to determine if the furniture that is primarily made of metal may be picked up for recycling.

refinish or reupholster it

If the furniture is made of wood, you can either hire a professional restorer or do it yourself. Your limited imagination can help you create something brand-new and fantastic out of your old furniture. Either apply brand-new, shining paint or give it a vintage appearance by skillfully producing a cracked or distressing aspect. Consider reupholstering worn-out couches and chairs in brand-new material.

Call a charity for a free pick-up

Several charitable organisations in the UK will take up your old sofa for free and either donate it or sell it for a pittance at a second-hand shop. The British Heart Foundation provides a collection service for furniture and electrical items Another such website is debra.org.uk

Now, do note that for these humanitarian organisations to offer you their free pickup service, your sofa must be in good condition. It is best to check to see if your old sofa is in a good state.

Hold a garage sale

It might be challenging but not impossible to sell your used sofa at a garage or yard sale. It largely depends on how well the sofa is kept. Only think about selling if it’s in reasonable condition. Consider whether you would want to buy it.

Hold a garage sale

Before holding your sale, have your sofa professionally cleaned if you believe it to be in good condition. Although it might not sell for a high price, it will sell more quickly, and if you can move the couch for the customer, it will go a long way toward convincing them to buy it.

Use rubbish clearance company

Hiring a company that removes trash in an environmentally friendly manner is a terrific way to get rid of your sofa. Express Waste Removal is a junk removal company that focuses on the environmentally friendly garbage disposal, diverting 92 percent of waste from landfills. By choosing a removal company that takes social and environmental problems seriously, you can be sure that your old sofa has been properly recycled and have no impact on the environment.

Giving them to college students

If you reside in a college town, college students can be your best takers. Students are constantly looking for cheap or free furniture. The most effective strategy to get your message seen may be to post a note on a public bulletin board in a nearby business or on a website servicing a campus community.

Upcycle old furniture

How to Get Rid of an Old Sofa - Upcycle old furniture

Upcycling a sofa is the ideal solution for the old furniture removal if you’re skilled at do-it-yourself projects. Visit websites like Pinterest to find instructive tutorials and how-to guides that will help you transform your old furniture into lovely, unique upcycled items.

Sell it

You could sell your sofa if it’s in decent shape. If you have a smaller couch that will fit in your car, taking it to a car boot sale can be a good idea. If that is not an option, these are some popular websites for selling pre-loved items.

  • eBay
  • Shpock
  • Wallapop

Haul it to the landfill

You might be able to dispose of your old sofa yourself at the neighbourhood landfill if you have a pickup vehicle of the correct size. Check to see whether your local landfill has free bulk waste disposal days if you don’t immediately need to dispose of that old couch, wait until then to dump it.

Always give a call before carting your belongings, since some are closed to the public or may not be able to get rid of certain kinds of furniture.

How Does Littering Affect the Environment?

One of the most damaging behaviours somebody can engage in that has an influence on the environment is littering. There is a proper place for every type of waste, and it is not the ground. This includes trash cans, recycling skips for paper and plastic, and even compost containers.

What impact does littering have on the environment then? Littering has many negative effects, and its effects go beyond only harming the environment.

Litter

Any object or material that is improperly disposed of whether it is organic waste or whatever is known as litter. Only when something is discarded does it become litter. Litter is more than simply ordinary trash; it also includes improperly disposed-of toxic waste, chemical runoff, and illegally abandoned items. Regardless of whether it was done purposefully or accidentally, littering can have serious negative effects on the ecosystem.

Beyond just being unattractive, litter poses several health and safety risks to people, animals, and the environment.

What are the Most Commonly-Littered Items?

Although there are many different types of litter, some things are left behind more frequently than others. According to a study, the following are the most commonly littered items:

  • Cigarette butts
  • Food wrappers
  • Plastic bottles
  • Disposable cups
  • Grocery bags
  • Straws
  • Beverage cans
  • Tire and vehicle debris

Why Do People Litter?

Why Do People Litter

Understanding the causes of trash is crucial for rubbish clearance and also preventing it from happening again. While unsecured things in the back of vehicles or trash cans account for 19.9% of litter on land, the great majority of litter is intentionally created. According to a study, vehicles and pedestrians are responsible for 76% of the litter on roads.

But why do individuals purposefully litter? Littering can be justified in four ways, each of which is relatively straightforward:

  • Laziness or carelessness
  • Lack of access to trash receptacles
  • Lenient law enforcement 

How Does Littering Affect the Environment?

Unsightly Surrounding

Imagine your favourite location being overrun by trash. That must be a disgusting thought. The aesthetics of a place can be dramatically impacted by litter, which can travel considerable distances and wind up along beaches. Littering in public areas, on the streets, and in popular tourist destinations can drastically reduce these regions’ allure.

Ingestion by Animals

Animals are at risk from the plastic litter because these species may confuse it for food. In addition, chemicals can stick to plastics, making them more toxic and dangerous when consumed by birds and marine life.

Ingestion by Animals

Due to the inability of plastic to be digested, their stomach capacity is thus decreased. Long-term, this would have an impact on how they ate, leading to eventual illness and death.

Habitat Destruction

Animal habitats on land and in the ocean, such as coral reefs, can be harmed by litter. Underwater rubbish accumulation may change the structure of marine animals’ natural environment and their ability to live safely. Additionally, plastic trash may increase light and oxygen levels to levels that are hazardous and unsustainable for aquatic life.

Zoonotic Diseases

Zoonoses are illnesses that animals spread. Litter has the potential to be a breeding ground for bacteria and pathogens. As a result, when rats and pests that are drawn to the trash in quest of food find their way into piles of litter, these animals may be carrying bacteria that can cause sickness and infect humans.

Pollution

The quality of land, water, and air can all be significantly lowered by litter. They have the potential to enter waterways like rivers, lakes, and oceans and contaminate the water there. Pollution has a devastating impact on aquatic life and can cause fish kills and algae blooms. Water-borne illnesses brought on by litter can potentially harm humans and other animals and plants.

Pollution

Sharp materials like metal scraps and broken glass can also harm marine wildlife, leading to infections and the amputation of bodily parts.

Litter Solutions and Prevention

So now that we are aware of the negative effects of trash, let’s talk about some viable remedies. Here are three strategies we can use right now to combat trash.

Attend Cleanups

Attend Cleanups

Attend organised cleanups as a proactive measure to reduce littering. Working to improve community cleanliness will not only help the environment to get better but also enhance community beauty.

Increase the Number of Public Disposal Bins

Lack of public trash cans or overflowing cans that are not frequently emptied is one of the reasons people litters. Communities can aid in preventing littering by increasing the number of garbage cans available and the regularity with which they are cleaned.

Impose Strict Laws and Regulations

Strong anti-litter legislation and regulations are a useful deterrent. When there are severe legal or financial repercussions, both people and businesses are more inclined to abide by litter regulations.