Cardboard Stage
Most of the finish materials come in cardboard boxes that require disposal — or better yet — recycling.
Appliances, lighting and plumbing fixtures, hardware and all sorts of other finish materials are packed in cardboard boxes. Throughout the project, we’ve been recycling everything we can to minimize waste. Most weeks we only generate one to two bags of trash that I put out for curbside pickup along with a large bin for mixed-stream recycling (glass, plastic, metal, paper and cardboard).
Over the past few weeks, as the finishes get installed, the amount of cardboard has increased and exceeded the amount that fits into one recycling bin. I’ve tapped the excess capacity of neighbors’ and friends’ bins, topping them off with broken-down boxes rather than hauling a truckload to a local transfer station with limited service hours.
It takes a little more time to manage the recycling than it would to just toss everything into a Dumpster. We do save on Dumpster rental and tipping fees, but it likely doesn’t offset the extra labor costs associated with managing the recycling. Still, it’s the right thing to do.
