Autumn Recycling

As the school year starts and lives become hectic, recycling tends to be pushed to the back of our minds. But this year, make sure to keep recycling in mind! Last month we urged back to school recycling, but there is so much more we can do to keep this autumn clean & green!

Yard Waste: The best recycler of all is Mother Nature! Creating compost yourself or being sure to collect yard waste to send to your township is a great way to keep your yard beautiful and environment thriving!

Pumpkin Planning: As Halloween approaches, there are so many things you can do with a pumpkin! Carving a jack-o-lantern is a family favorite, but don’t waste those pumpkin seeds! Find a great recipe for baked pumpkin seeds and put them out as snacks for the family! When the pumpkin has served it’s purpose put it in compost or just throw it in the woods! Small critters love pumpkin!

Scarecrows Need Clothes: Have old, ripped clothes you can’t donate? You’re in luck because scarecrows are looking for just those items! You can even dress him a few times this fall if you have lots of old clothes that are unfit to donate! And don’t forget to fold them up and save them for next year as well!

Recycling isn’t just giving used plastic, glass and paper to your township; it’s about reusing what you have in your home! Not only will recycling save you money and the environment, it can be a fun activity for the kids this season! Let us know what you did to recycling this fall in our comment section below!

Get A Head Start on Back to School

It may be the beginning of August, but it’s never too early to start thinking about the first day of school! Whether your child is entering kindergarten or their senior year of college, it’s the same routine. Notebooks, pencils, folders and textbooks galore! And don’t forget the new clothes that will accompany your kids this fall. We’ve put together some advice to make this back to school season go on without a hitch!

Start Early and Stay Positive: Back to school season is arguably the most stressful time of the year. The kids are nervous and excited, you’re looking for leftovers and bargains, but starting early, giving yourself plenty of time to prepare for school and keeping a positive attitude will help with a smooth transition into the school year.

Make a Deal: Even though it’s only August, back to school sales are up and running. Back to school commercials have been running since mid July! The stores are ready, so you should be too! But don’t forget to look through last year’s binders for fresh paper, unused notebooks and pencils that still have some mileage left!

Thrift Shop: Even though department stores claim they have great sales, their prices can be marked up! Try your local thrift store for great prices on lightly used clothes. Or hold a clothes swap party with your friends! Have them bring their kids old clothes and see what fits your child. Cheap and thrifty!

Have Fun: This school year, why not start new family traditions? Ease nerves by having family night the day before the first day of school to talk about what your kids are looking forward to and what they aren’t.  Try to incorporate these types of family gatherings throughout the school year so your child feels heard and you can better assess what they need.

No matter what your family situation we wish you the best back to school season filled with excitement and fun! Good luck this year students!

Family Fun on July 4th

The weather is hot, the office is closed and your kids are ready to celebrate! This July 4th, we’ve put together some great family fun activity ideas for you to try! From picnics in the park, to arts & crafts and don’t forget the local fireworks, it’s time to spend the day with the family and celebrate the best summer holiday!

Plan a Picnic: Make a turkey sandwich, bring along some potato salad and red, white and blue popsicles and you’ve got yourself a great American lunch special! Some watermelon will keep the kids cool as they run in the grass and enjoy the birth of our great nation!

Games in the Grass: Whether you pack Parcheesi or bring along a soccer ball, taking in the great weather with a game for the whole family will make the day extra special. When running in the sun, don’t forget the sunscreen!

Pass a Parade: If there is one thing you can count on July 4th, it’s a parade. Find where a local parade is in your neighborhood and bring the kids to watch a spectacular show! Pack snacks and water to keep hydrated and you’ll have a great afternoon activity under your belt!

Fantastic Fireworks: No matter where you are in the U.S you are bound to see fireworks come nightfall. Whether it’s at a local baseball game or local high school, grab a blanket, maybe some earplugs for the kids and enjoy the show!

No matter what activities you choose to take part in this July 4th, we wish you the best of times, enjoyed with the entire family!

Summer Storage Tips & Tricks

This year, instead of cramming winter supplies into the back of the garage, try out a storage pod! While packing up your skis, ice skates and sleds put together a plan so you stay organized all summer long! We’ve put together some packing tips to keep you organized and stress free all year round’!

Embrace the Label Maker: As much as you don’t want to be the crazy lady with the label maker, you might have to take one for the team. Labeling each storage box with exactly what is in the box, will save you time and stress! No more opening every box to try and find your old winter jacket!

Be Colorful: I know, I know, you also don’t want to be the one who organized their closet in rainbow colors, and by no means are we suggesting this, but think about having a certain color for each member of the family. Whether the whole box is one color or there is just a big red X on all your spouses’ boxes, color-coding might be the smartest thing you did. It also helps the whole family get involved. Since every member has their own color they can go through their own boxes when the time to unpack arrives!

Use Backup: As tedious as this may sound, keeping a checklist of everything you packed and where it is could save you hours or searching in the future! So when you need only one item from the entire storage container, check the list, grab what you need and your finished!

Safely Store: When it’s time to put away the snow blower or anything else that runs on gas, make sure you empty the gas tank! And double check where your wires and electronics are stored, so no accidents occur while using your storage pod!

So, try something new this summer and use a storage pod from GPOD. Store the pod on your own property or at our secure location! Either way, your items are protected and you have peace of mind!

THINK MAY FLOWERS!

After this long and cold winter, nothing makes us happier than seeing a beautiful, blooming garden! Bring on the lilacs, roses and tulips, we’re ready! But, as many of you may know, gardening isn’t easy! To have a successful garden, you need to have a plan.

Do your research. When is each flower in bloom? When should each flower be replaced? Which plants need direct sunlight and which prefer a bit of shade? These are all questions that need to be answered before any seed is planted.  Find the best place in your yard for your garden, depending on the types of flowers you want to plant. Make a border. Clearly determine the outline of the garden and try not to grow outside of the boundaries.

Embrace compost. Gardening highly depends on the soil. Buying fresh soil from a store is a great start, but investing in compost can be an excellent choice. Compost is a mixture of decaying, organic substances. These enrich the soil with vitamins and nutrients that make flowers and plants thrive. Simply add the compost to the soil and enjoy beautiful flowers all season long.

Weed out the problems. Weeds are a gardener’s worst enemy. They take up precious root space, sunlight and water, killing off flowers one by one. Weed control products are excellent to use so your flowers stay healthy all season long!

If your yard is still suffering from the winter and you haven’t found the best place to plant your garden, call GPOD for a yard waste dumpster and get all the junk out fast! Visit us online for more information. 

Spring Cleaning on the Outside!

It’s that time of year again! Break out the cleaning supplies because it’s time to wash out the winter dirt and grime and get ready for a warm, beautiful and CLEAN spring! When we think of spring-cleaning, we mostly think of cleaning out the bathroom, closets and kitchen but what about the exterior of your home? We think it’s just as important to spruce up your garden, porch, deck and other outdoor accessories to keep your home in tiptop shape. Here are a few tips to keep your entire home clean and fresh this spring!

- Get Your Mind IN The Gutter: We know this is one of the LAST things you want to do when the weather is nice but it’s so important to keep water damage out! Scoop out all the gunk that’s been building up in your gutters all winter. Leaves, twigs and other outdoor nuisances should be disposed of so you have no water damage to worry about this year!

- Bring Out the Cars: Keeping your garage clean is so important for the spring and summer, since most outdoor activities are kept safely tucked away in the back of it. Sweep out the dirt that’s been collected all winter and ORGANIZE! Invest in shelves or closets that keep sports in one section, tools in another and storage somewhere else. This will make playing outdoors with the kids so much more enjoyable when you can easily find that old basketball!

- Get the Green Thumb: Before stepping back into your garden, make sure your entire lawn is clean. Get rid of old, soggy leaves and branches that have been in your yard all winter so your grass can grow long and green! Before planting your favorite flower, research your plants to see when is the best time to plant and when they will bloom! This way your garden always looks bright and colorful during the warm months.

- Wash Away the Winter: If dirt has been building on your home and deck all winter think about a power wash. You can hire a company to do it for you, or rent a power washer yourself. This will make your home look that much nicer when entertaining guests outside. If paint has been chipped away, think of adding a new coat this spring.

If you need more storage or there is lots of yard waste call us at GPOD and we’ll deliver a dumpster and/or storage pod right to your home! Order online today!

St. Patrick's Day Family Fun!

It’s been a rough winter, and it may not even be over, but we’ve been looking forward to Spring for a while and March is just the month to get our hopes up! In honor of the big March holiday, St. Patrick’s Day, and in hopes of warmer weather, we’ve put together some fun family crafts you can do whether it’s still snowing or starting to warm up! Be sure to tell us which craft projects you tried and how they turned out in the comment section below or on Facebook!

Snowman Popcorn: If it’s cold and snow comes once again, stay nice and warm inside while still getting the thrill of a snowman. These popcorn snowmen are the perfect snack when stuck inside. So get a hold of the new Disney movie Frozen that is now on DVD, cozy up by the fire and enjoy this delicious treat!

            Simple pop your favorite kind of popcorn, decorate clear plastic cups with sharpie with two black eyes, a carrot nose and a mouth that resembles a snowman! Top it off with some GREEN ribbon to show your St.Patrick’s Day spirit! 

Shamrock Kettles: If the weather starts to pick up and Spring is in the air try this cute activity with the kids. They’ll show off their green thumb while celebrating St. Patrick’s Day and enjoying a wonderful weekend afternoon. Head to your local dollar store and buy small, plastic pots (see picture.) Then stop at your local Home Depot and grab and pack of shamrock seeds! Gather your kids, plant the seeds in the pots and watch them grow during the days leading up to St. Patrick’s Day! When the big day comes, see if you grew any four-leaf clovers!

Leprechaun Handprint: Whether it’s cold and you’re looking for an indoor activity, or it’s a beautiful warm day, this activity could be done anywhere! This easy and fun leprechaun painting is a great afternoon activity and will be very festive hung in your home! Simply purchase greed, orange and nude paint (environmentally friendly and safe for finger-painting of course!), plain white pieces of paper, black and gold construction paper and eyes from a craft store. Then follow this picture to make an adorable leprechaun that will bring you luck all March long!

Be sure to let us know which activities you tried and how they turned out! Leave a comment below and/or send us pictures on Facebook! Happy St. Patrick’s Day everyone!

ENVIRONMENTAL VALENTINE

This year our valentine is the Earth! We’re pledging our love and giving back to the earth this Valentines Day and we couldn’t be more excited about it! Yes, we love our significant others, our family, friends and pets and they will be spoiled with gifts on February 14^th but we want to go above and beyond and give back to future generations of loved ones. Here are some family friendly ideas to show your love for the earth this Valentine’s Day:

-       PLANT A TREE: What the world needs is more trees! With the amount of trees being cut down and used for paper products every day the earth could use some more lovely trees! So, gather your family, take a hike in the woods and plant a seed. And this gift keeps on giving! Try to visit your tree each year and watch it grow!

-       ARTS & CRAFTS: To satisfy the environment and your loved ones use recycled paper or cardboard and non-toxic paint to create the perfect Valentines Day Card! Not only will you save money, but the earth will love you right back for this choice!

-       COOK WITH LOVE: When making that romantic Valentine’s Day meal, choose organic. Processed food is not only unhealthy for YOU but the pesticides used and other artificial foods are not sitting well in the earth’s stomach! Stop by your local Whole Foods or organic section of the grocery store to find delicious, healthy ingredients good for you AND the earth!

We’re proud to make the Earth our Valentine and continue to love her all year long by recycling 80% of the waste collected! We look out for the environment so you and your loved ones can live long, happy and healthy lives! Tell us what you did for the Earth this Valentines Day on our Facebook page or in the comments below!

Make 2014 Your Best Year Ever!

With every New Year comes new beginnings, new resolutions and a fresh start to a bright future. Every year GPOD pledges to help the environment, to better themselves and serve the community, but this 2014 we would like to do so much more.

First we would like to say “thank you” to all of our new Facebook followers! We pledged that for every new “Like” we received on Facebook during November and December of 2013 we would donate one canned good to the Trumbull Food Pantry. Together we have donated 363 canned goods! And we promised to donate a sweatshirt to My Sisters Closet or Charities of Hope for every customer who “likes” us on Facebook AND orders a dumpster or storage pod. We have donated ___ sweatshirts this year!

 We have been very blessed in 2013 with amazing customers, an incredible staff and the ability to give back to our community. We look forward to being able to pay it forward in 2014 with more community involvement and continued great service.

Our goals this year go beyond your typical self-improvement. This year we are looking for new ways to save and preserve the environment through waste disposal, and to dedicate more of our time and energy to giving back to those in need and bettering our community. Thank you again to all of our customers and supporters and we can’t wait for a fantastic 2014!

Don’t Throw It Away this Holiday Season!

We know this seems like an odd title coming from a dumpster company, but our new storage pod expansion, recycling roots and holiday cheer have led us to think “recycle” or “donate” before throwing away our old clothes We have put together a few ways to clean, recycle and give this holiday season we know you’ll love.

Let’s Talk Fashion: As the kids grow older their clothes are bound to be left in the back of closet collecting dust. Instead of abandoning them in the closet here are some options:

-       Reuse! If those old jeans are too short but still fit around the waist, try hemming them to make shorts! If a skirt is too short, try adding fabric to the bottom for a fabulous two-toned masterpiece! Check out more great ideas from this pinterest page!

-       Plan a party! If you have clothes that don’t fit anymore, but are still in great condition plan a swap party! Invite friends and family over for some chips and dip and trade your clothes! This saves money, gives you a great new wardrobe and is a fantastic excuse to get together with your loved ones!

-       Dye it! We’ve all been there, the unwanted red shirt in the white load of laundry and all your whites are now pink and spotty. Instead of calling it a loss you can embrace the pink, or go to your local craft store and purchase some dye to make those whites a new bold color! An even more fun activity with the kids would be a tie dying afternoon! Because, who doesn’t love a tie-dyed shirt?

-       Donate! This holiday season there are many people in need. If you have old clothes that don’t fit and are in good condition, look up your local shelter or clothing donation organization to give to those in need. It’s going to be a cold winter so donate those old coats that don’t fit anymore! GPOD proudly works with Charities of Hope, which provides monetary donations to other non-profits through the donations of clothes.  

This holiday season take out those old clothes and do something productive! We know we will be going through our closets to see what we can do to help this year!

Don't forget for every "Like" GPOD receives on Facebook this month we will donate one canned good to the Trumbull Food Pantry! AND for everyone who "Likes" us AND orders a Dumpster or Storage Pod we will donate a BRAND NEW SWEATSHIRT to Charities of Hope or The Thrift Store! So “Like” us on Facebook and tell your friends!

The Power of Paying it Forward

This Thanksgiving Season GPOD is promoting the pay it forward phenomenon. Paying it forward simply means: after receiving a good deed forwarding a good deed to someone else. But don’t think you have to receive a favor to start this going! While standing in that Starbucks line that seems to get longer every fall, offer to pay for a strangers drink. Or, after raking your own lawn take a few minutes to rake your neighbors lawn as well. It’s the simple things that can brighten someone’s day!

This is dear to our hearts because we pay it forward every day by recycling 80% of the waste we collect. We work hard so that your waste doesn’t destroy our beloved environment and so future generations can enjoy a beautiful, clean planet.

This year we asked ourselves what can we do together to pay it forward? We decided, with every new “like” GPOD receives on our Facebook page a canned good will be donated to the Trumbull, CT Food Pantry. The Trumbull Food Pantry collects food for lower income families unable to afford groceries. The past few years have been tough and the Food Pantry has received more and more families in need. If you would like to make another donation yourself click here. So check out our Facebook here and tell your friends and family about this great opportunity!

So, this Thanksgiving Season we urge you to Pay It Forward! Let us know in the comment section below or on Facebook what you did to pay it forward! We can’t wait to hear from you!

Have a Clean & Green Halloween!

Have a Clean & Green Halloween!

Halloween is a spectacular event, but can become very pricey and environmentally damaging! GPOD is a proud supporter of the environment and we have some tips on how to stay clean and green this Halloween Season!

Reusable Trick-Or-Treat Bags – Don’t send your kids out trick-or-treating with a plastic, non recyclable bag! Look for eco-friendly, reusable bags that will last for years to come and won’t destroy the environment.

Plastic bags use millions of gallons of fossil fuels to produce and end up as litter, which kills millions of animals each year. Paper bag production uses 14 million trees a year! Opt for festive bags like a Halloween ChicoBag. Not only are they eco-friendly, but they will hold better and longer than a plastic or paper bag! Buy them online here or at a store near you!

Do-It-Yourself Costumes – Why spend good money on a costume your kids will only wear once? Instead, make a costume together! Take an afternoon to spend time with your kids and make a costume they will love and appreciate. Head to your local thrift shop or use clothes you already own to whip up something magical! Or you can set up a costume swap with your friends and their kids! Free and fun!

Give Organic – Rather than filling the neighborhood kids with unhealthy, non-environmentally friendly candy, shop for organic candy that tastes just as sweet without the stomachache! Also, buy locally when you can to boost your local economy and help out a neighbor. Not big on any kind of candy? Hand out colored pencils or crayons to keep the kids busy all year long!

Throw a Green Halloween Party – Instead of splurging on harmful decorations look around your house. Use old sheets for ghostly appearances and think local for pumpkin carving and bobbing for apples. Serve organic foods for healthy fun and use dishes, utensils and napkins that can be washed and used again. Save any strictly Halloween décor for next year and get more bang for your buck! Also teach your kids to throw away and recycle any candy wrappers they have acquired while at their own Halloween festivities!

But don’t stop there! Keep going green all year long! Become a regular at the local farmers market and learn to compost old foods. Think of reusing old clothing and upcycling for new designs, or setting up a clothing swap with your friends!

And don’t forget to use GPOD for any dumpster or storage pod services. We recycle 80% of the waste we collect and keep an environmentally friendly storage service customized for convenience.

Think “Recycle” for Back to School Supplies!

It’s that time of the year again! Fall is on the horizon and back to school shopping is on the brain! We know this is a stressful time and those back to school supplies can add up to a pretty penny, so we have some tips to keep you on your A game!

-       LOOK BACK. First, go through last year’s supplies to see what needs to be thrown out and what can be reused. Is every pen out of ink? Are all your pencil’s now stubs? Did your children use all the notebook paper?

-       RECYCLE. All those old supplies that you can’t use could be used somewhere else! Find out where you can recycle paper, pens, and other supplies near you!

-       MAKE A LIST. Before hitting the store make a list of things you need and try to stick to only the list when at the stores. Those bright colors and new gadgets are hard to resist but keep your eye on the prize!

-       BUY RECYCLED. Join the green trend and buy recycled items. Recycled items range from backpacks to paper so ask your local store where you can find green back to school supplies. We know Target and Office Max are a great place to start!

-       WEAR GREEN. Back to school clothes are a must have in a child’s wardrobe. Instead of hitting the stores, set up a swap with friends or family. Kids grow out of clothes quickly so those barely worn jeans might fit your children perfectly!

-       BREATHE FRESH AIR. Look for nontoxic items such as ink and art supplies, water based paints and batteries with little mercury. Also look for the closest bus stop instead of driving your children to school. Think about carpooling with neighbors too.

Follow these tips and you’ll be sure to kick off the school year right! If you need help throwing away last years large science projects, or debris from summer home improvement projects, trust GPOD with your dumpster needs! Have a great school year everybody!

GPOD Tricks of the Trade!

Here at GPOD we want you to have the best dumpster rental experience. We make it simple and easy for you to get rid of trash in your home that’s been accumulating throughout the years. But, we need YOUR HELP to make this process a walk in the park! Here are a few tips you need to know before renting a dumpster:

PLEASE DO NOT OVERFLOW DUMPSTERS! Lose debris can cause injuries to loved ones, neighbors and GPOD employees. An overflowing dumpster can also cause accidents on the road! GPOD clearly places “Do Not Fill Past This Point” stickers on each dumpster FOR YOUR SAFETY! We simply cannot take dumpsters that have been filled passed their limit.

WE ARE BUSY SO WE CAN’T SHOW UP AT AN EXACT TIME! As much as we would love to be able to pick up your dumpster at 3pm sharp, each delivery takes a different, unknown amount of time. With traffic and other roadblocks it makes it impossible for us to give an exact time of pick up, so please be patient. If you call us the day of the delivery we can narrow the time down, so you can better adjust your schedule. Thank you so much for your understanding and patience.

COMMUNICATE COMMUNICATE COMMUNICATE! Please don’t hesitate to call us any time with questions or concerns. If you’re not sure about where to put your dumpster, what goes in it or anything else, one of our friendly employees will help you find those answers. There will be an additional charge if our drivers have to come back to your home for any reason, so write clear, precise directions, make sure the driver has easy access to the dumpster and let us know if you need the dumpster for a longer period of time.

WATCH YOUR WEIGHT! If your dumpster is overweight there will be an additional charge, so be sure to keep an eye on this. Also, take water weight into consideration. Cover your dumpster when it rains, or allow a few days before pick up to let the dumpster dry out.

WHAT CAN YOU PUT IN YOUR DUMPSTER?

Items that can be placed in the dumpster but will incur additional charges:
• Car Tires
• Truck Tires

• Propane Tanks
• Freon Units (A/C, refrigerators, freezers, etc.)

• Television/Computer Monitors
• Mattresses/Box springs

• Paint Cans - need to be DOUBLE BAGGED & PLACED ON TOP OF DUMPSTER.

WHAT CAN’T I PUT IN YOUR DUMPSTER?

Hazardous Waste materials: Pesticides, Oils, Fuels, etc.

Here at GPOD we want you to have a great experience renting our dumpsters so be sure to keep these tips in mind!

When Mother Nature Strikes...

Mother Nature is an unpredictable parent who can bring warm sunny days as well as cause great destruction. Lately we have been hit with some severe natural disasters. The Oklahoma tornado tragedies come with horrific pictures of crumbled homes and stories of children in danger. Hurricane Sandy hit close to home while destroying our Eastern Shoreline and causing massive power outages in large cities like New York and Philadelphia. But when Mother Nature has a bad day, who is there to clean up her mess? Dumpster services like GPOD are here to serve our community and straighten up after Mother Nature strikes.

• After calling GPOD to take away the big debris, here are some tips on how to keep safe while cleaning up after a natural disaster.
•   Do not go near or enter a building that has not been inspected by a professional
• Wear construction gear such as hard hats, goggles and work gloves to protect yourself
• Stay away from anything that contains carbon monoxide. This dangerous gas can cause severe illness and death, leave it to professionals in gas masks to take care of your stove, heaters etc.
• Discard items that cannot be washed and disinfected
• Don’t turn on any electrical devices, especially after a disaster dealing with water!
• Be sure to have a first aid kit on hand in case of any cuts or abrasions. Infections are more common when working in a dirty environment

GPOD is proud to offer their services after any natural disasters. Sandy is not the first and certainly will not be last natural disaster to occur on the East Coast, and GPOD will always be around to help out! Disaster areas all around the world are still trying to get back on their feet, so be sure to donate to the red cross or another recognized charity that aids recovery when Mother Nature hits hard!

DIG IN TO A HEALTHY, HAPPY SUMMER

It’s that time of year again! Time to break out the pruners and weed whackers and start digging into the garden. But this year, why not try something different? Why not try a vegetable garden! Not only is growing your own food a healthier and cheaper choice, but imagine how great it will feel to walk out back and pick fresh tomatoes, peppers or carrots! It may be easier than you think. Here are some tips!

What to grow?

It’s best to start out small with your first vegetable garden. Do some research on what you would like to grow. Tomatoes and peppers will grow throughout the season, while carrots and radishes only produce once. So plan accordingly.  Also, check the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone you live in to see which crops grow best.

How much space?

Once you decide what to grow, determining how much space you need is important. Keep in mind you don’t need much space for a vegetable garden. You don’t even need a yard, growing vegetables in containers works well too. Research how much space you need for each vegetable you are growing. That will help your garden grow and prosper! Think about protecting your garden from rabbits or raccoons with a fence.

Where to grow?

When determining where to grow keep in mind these helpful tips. Vegetables need, plenty of sun and water. Vegetables require at least 6 to 7 hours of direct sunlight to sustain produce. Invest in good, healthy soil. Consider amending the soil with compost for better results.

But most important have fun, spend time with family and share with friends! Growing a vegetable garden is a family activity! Teach the young ones about healthy food choices and have fun in the sun!

So, what is the first step? Ordering a greens dumpster from GPOD to get rid of the old, dead yard waste, and while you’re at it let us take away your junk from the basement or attack! We make it easy to order online or call us at 866-771-4763.

Be happy and healthy and enjoy your new vegetable garden this summer!

The difference between upcyling and recycling and how you can help!

What is this new word “upcycle” that has been popping up everywhere?! Well, it’s actually not so new but it’s finally starting to catch on! Upcyling is when waste materials are converted into new products of better quality for the environment. Just a refresher, recycling is using waste materials for new products to prevent excess waste.

 Here at GPOD we are proud to upcycle. If there is a way to take your waste and turn it into something more productive and useful we will find it! We believe in making the world a better, healthier place, so 80% of our waste is recycled OR upcycled.

To inspire you to start upcycling we have posted some cool upcycling projects below. Also, don’t forget to take a look at the pinterest page “Upcycle and Re-Purposing” below, which has even more great ideas!

 

http://pinterest.com/candacefox/upcycle-and-re-purposing/

Happy Earth Day 4.54 Billion Years Later!

This April, join GPOD in celebrating Earth Day! On April 22nd over 1 billion people will be celebrating the Earth! It’s no secret our planet has been damaged by pollution and other toxic waste, but imagine what could be done when people all over the world come together to help. This year, the Earth Day Network (EDN) proclaimed the theme for Earth Day would be “The Face of Climate Change.” Many people believe climate change is a remote problem, but people, animals and environments around the world are already being affected. So what can you do to help? Well, first the EDN will collect and display pictures and videos of people, animals and places that have been directly influenced by climate change. Go to http://www.earthday.org/2013/ to share your story and post your pictures. So, what if you don’t have a picture or story? Well join one of the millions of events around the world that will take place on April 22nd that will help heal the earth. Now, what is GPOD doing for the earth? For starters, we recycle 80% of all the waste we collect, all year ‘round! Not only do we recycle but we upcycle as well! Research what your local community is doing to celebrate Earth Day and join the fun!

Spring has sprung. Have you cleaned out the clutter yet?

Getting ready for spring-cleaning? It’s that time of year again where that old junk from the basement, garage or attack has got to go. Clutter means stress and who needs more stress? With all that junk cleared from your home, you have more space to let in that warm air and make new memories. A clean, clutter free, home means a happy and healthy family. If you’re not using something, sell it, or dispose of it properly with GPOD. Our same and next day dumpster service makes it quick and easy to discard those old, unused items you’ve been meaning to throw out for years. Not only are our prices convertible but there is no fuel charge on any dumpster rental and no hidden fees! We pride ourselves on exceptional service and making our customers our number one priority. Planning to remodel or start a home improvement project? Let us take care of the waste for you. Worried about where your waste is going? 80% of all your waste will be recycled when using GPOD. Now that sounds like a great, guilt free way to clean the house! Not ready to get rid of valuables, but no room in your home? We offer 12ft & 16ft storage containers. You can be sure your items are safe and secure with our storage units. Don’t put off spring-cleaning! Order your GPOD dumpster today!

Mandatory Recycling in Connecticut

         Each person from the residential and non-residential sectors in Connecticut disposes around 4.95 pounds of trash every day. This means that, altogether, we generate 3,179,224.36 of wastes every year. Most of these wastes are sent to one of Connecticut’s seven Resource Recovery Facilities. These facilities all have modern pollution controls that lessen air emissions resulting from the combustion process. The wastes are then burned as fuel for generating electricity, and the ash by-products are buried into especially designed and lined landfills.

         Sadly, even if 90.38% of our wastes are recyclable, only 24.20% of them are actually recycled. Most of all, mandatory recycling has been taking effect in Connecticut since 1991. Yes, according to the Mandatory Recycling Act, every household, business, institution and government agency in Connecticut is required to recycling the following:

• Bottle Bill Plastics
• Catalogs
• Corrugated cardboard
• Glass food and beverage containers
• Grass clippings
• HDPE bottles
• Lead acid batteries
• Leaves

• Metal food and beverage containers
• Newspapers
• Nickel-cadmium batteries
• PET containers
• Scraped metal
• Used motor oil
• White office paper (household exempt)

        The following are also recyclable, although not mandated:

• Carpet and pads
• Compostable paper
• C&D wood, untreated
• Electronics

• Food waste
• Logs, brush, stumps
• Recyclable paper
• Textiles

         Some towns have recycling and trash services for multi-family residences with 2 or 3 apartments. However, most businesses, condominiums and apartment buildings directly contract with trash haulers, dumpster rentals and roll-off services in Connecticut for garbage collection and recycling. The hauler, dumpster company or roll-off service cannot pickup the recyclables if they are mixed with trash. The law also requires “source separation”, or that the recyclables be separated from the trash within the place where they are generated.

         The recyclables are then sent to one of the six intermediate processing centers, wherein they are readied for businesses that can convert them into new products. A number of centers also collect the non-mandated recyclables that have suitable markets.

         But simply gathering the segregated recyclables from dumpsters and roll offs to the recycling centers is not recycling. Recycling happens once the recyclables are used to make another products, and completes when the products are bought and used. Thus, we only do not need to recycle items in ways that maximizes their value and quality, but also patronize and use them when they become available in the market.

         Both private and public schools are required to recycle. Educational institutions have the special obligation to practice the environmental ethics they impart, enabling students to recycle, not only in their homes, but also in school. Most of all, each municipality has local ordinances that enforce recycling of the mandatory recyclables. Thus, local communities are authorized to enforce the local ordinances on illegal dumping, littering and recycling.

         So how else can we promote proper recycling in our towns?

         Get involved with Connecticut Recycles Day, which happens November 15th of each year. Visit the Connecticut Recycles Day website to see resources, ideas and coordinate for this event in your town.

         Find out how to get a recycling bin and what can be recycled in your town. Contact your Department of Public Works, municipal recycling coordinator, town hall and town websites for this information. The information about Fairfield and New Haven municipal recycling coordinators are here.

         Rent a recycling dumpster for huge amounts of trash and segregated recyclables. GPOD Dumpsters can provide you with dumpsters and roll-off services in various sizes for all waste types, including recyclable materials. GPOD especially caters to homes and business and Fairfield and New Haven, Connecticut.

         Connecticut has a huge potential for doing much better in recycling. Only if we will continue to expand our waste reduction and recycling efforts will we feel its global and local environmental benefits, and also lessen our public expenditures for waste disposal.