What is Property Clean Up?
The term property clean up refers to a neighborhood effort to beautify abandoned houses, apartments, or other buildings. Such properties often become cluttered and dirty after an eviction, foreclosure, or hoarding. A cleanup requires a thorough and detailed approach that goes beyond the occasional junk removal. It should also include the proper disposal of hazardous waste. For more information, visit this website at https://www.armadalerubbishremoval.com.au/.
When cleaning up a property, there is often hazardous waste that needs to be properly disposed of. Hazardous waste is defined as any material that contains toxic or corrosive chemicals that could harm the environment, people, or animals. It can take the form of solids, liquids, sludges, or contained gases. It is generated from industrial manufacturing, mining operations, household activities, and consumer products like batteries.
During improper waste disposal, the toxins can leach into groundwater and pollute drinking water supplies. Additionally, contaminated water can cause illness in humans and wildlife. Moreover, soil contamination is another concern with improper disposal of hazardous waste.
There are many ways to dispose of hazardous waste, but it is important to know how to distinguish the materials that are considered hazardous from those that aren’t. For instance, hazardous waste may be able to be recycled rather than thrown away in a landfill. This is particularly true for items that are corrosive, reactive, toxic or flammable.
The proper disposal of hazardous waste requires that a property owner seek out professional assistance to determine what items are considered dangerous and how to safely dispose of them. The EPA has strict guidelines for classifying and disposing of hazardous waste. It is also possible for a solid waste to not be classified as hazardous based on certain conditions and requirements.
For example, a corrosive waste can be de-listed as hazardous if it is stored in an airtight container with a low pH level or below. Similarly, hazardous waste can be de-listed if it is a byproduct of certain industrial processes. In these cases, the generators can request to be de-listed from the EPA’s RCRA lists of waste generators.
Putting a hazardous waste into a normal trash bin can put garbage collectors and other individuals at risk of exposure to the dangerous chemicals. It can also lead to contamination of groundwater and surface water if sent to normal landfills. In addition, it can contaminate the soil and surrounding vegetation if buried underground. If you have a large amount of hazardous waste on your property, it is best to contact a company that offers hazardous waste disposal services to ensure that the materials are properly disposed of.
Organizing a Cleanup Crew
The most difficult part of property cleanup is assembling the volunteers who will actually perform the work. Identify the people in your community who want to participate and get their names, addresses, e-mails, and phone numbers. Assign them to one or more specific tasks, such as draining standing water, sorting through debris or painting over graffiti. Organize a core group that will keep track of the overall effort, address issues and dispatch volunteers as needed. This coordinator can stay in the same place or move around the area, but he or she must be easily accessible and be able to handle problems as they arise.
Obtain permission from landowners to enter their property to clean up the trash. Without this, you may be trespassing and could face prosecution. County tax maps, located in planning offices, can help determine which properties are owned by whom.
Ask the municipality to provide help, such as loaned equipment, dumpsters or forgiveness of dumping fees. If you need a volunteer to direct traffic or a local business to provide food, drinks and paper goods, ask for them well in advance.
Inform the community at large about the cleanup by distributing posters and flyers, sending personal “save the date” messages by e-mail, and broadcasting on the radio or television. Send a follow-up email or text message the night before and on the day of cleanup to remind everyone where to meet, what time, and what to bring. Take pictures before and during the cleanup, and share the results.
Getting Started
When it comes to property clean up, it is important to get started. This means assembling all the equipment needed to perform the task, including garbage bags or containers, brooms, shovels, rakes, hedge or edge trimmers, hoes and any other tools that may be required. It is also a good idea to include safety gear, such as gloves, eye protection and a dust mask.
The first step is a sweep of the property to determine how much trash and clutter is present. This is a critical stage because it will help determine how many people are required to complete the cleanup. It is also a chance to evaluate any potential hazards and determine where the debris will be stored or transported to.
Derelict properties can have a negative impact on current residents as well as visitors. They can bring down morale and make people less likely to take care of their own property. Getting the property cleaned up can make a big difference in the neighborhood, which is why it is often a project that is done on a recurring basis in poorer neighborhoods. It is also a great way to earn money for community beautification efforts. Some individuals who offer property clean out services make extra money by selling items at online auctions, flea markets and consignment shops.