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Austin's #1 Commercial Hauler
Why a Professor in Texas is Living in a Dumpster

Why a Professor in Texas is Living in a Dumpster

Just call him “Professor Dumpster.” Dr. Jeff Wilson, a professor and dean at Huston-Tillotson University in Austin, is living in a dumpster. For an entire year. The classic hunter green 33-square foot recycled trash can is where he eats, sleeps and checks his email. The goal of this project is not just to raise awareness — though Dr. Wilson is certainly succeeding in that regard — but to study sustainability issues and low-impact living. The dumpster also serves as an interactive teaching lab and as the project progresses students apply new ideas to mock dumpsters in their lab before implementing them in the actual container.

The Dumpster Project is responsible for creating and developing the dumpster habitat through hands-on interactive and education. The dumpster is just one percent the size of a typical American home, so Wilson’s goal is to consume just one percent (or maybe even less) the energy and resources of normal homes while also reducing waste to just one percent as well. The project has three phases, and students have signed on to trade off with the professor and live in the dumpster. He hopes to install a television and a washing machine and dryer outside the dumpster. For now, the project is in the “camping phase.” Wilson lives his daily life inside the dumpster. He makes coffee and schleps nearly an hour to collect water from a nearby lake.

The final phase of the project, aptly named “über dumpster,” aims to convert the dumpster into a sustainable tiny home. The Dumpster Project team will consult with designers, engineers and even landscape architects to transform the dumpster into an innovative and habitable home. Pairing new technologies with “old school” methods, the project will include water filtration, climate control (especially important in the sweltering Texas summer heat), waste reduction and even a garden.

The project will last one year. To prepare, Wilson spent several months sleeping on the floor of his University office.

Read more about this incredible endeavor and see pictures of the habitat in progress:

Photo credit: © The Dumpster Project

LEED Certification by the Numbers

LEED Certification by the Numbers

 

LEED, short for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is a certification process that was developed by the US Green Building Council (USGBC). There are different types of certifications available for businesses, contractors and construction companies like AYD, homeowners and buildings.

LEED certification is based on a points system and has four certification levels available: certified, silver, gold and platinum. Nine key areas are the focus for determining certification: sustainability, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, indoor environmental air quality, location and linkages, awareness and education, innovation in design, and regional priority. Points are earned for a variety of actions including using eco-friendly building materials, installing a tankless water heater or using other smart water use and conservation techniques, installing solar panels or cool roofing, using green cleaning materials and recycling.

As of June 2012, two billion square feet of building space was LEED certified. The focus on energy efficiency and sustainability extends to existing buildings, as well. The Empire State Building in NYC received a Gold LEED rating in 2011. It is the tallest and largest LEED certified building in the US!

Buildings in the US typically account for 38% of CO2 emissions and 73% of electricity consumption. Following LEED requirements, however, buildings that are certified often consume 25% less energy and 11% less water. 34% of these buildings actually lower greenhouse gasses and, as of 2011, have diverted over 80 million tons of waste from landfills through waste diversion programs.

We are LEED AP certified. This type of certification is specific to construction and building design. Our certification means that we can participate in the new construction of LEED-certified buildings and jobs that have LEED requirements. One of the main requirements we are able to fulfill for LEED jobs is recycling all discarded construction debris. To meet LEED requirements, we provide a detailed breakdown of all materials hauled and demonstrate the total percentages of debris that are ultimately recycled.

If you are planning a new LEED construction project in Austin, please contact us to discuss your hauling needs.

Got a Big Housecleaning Project? Rent a Roll Off Dumpster

Got a Big Housecleaning Project? Rent a Roll Off Dumpster

Large roll-off dumpsters are common on construction sites around Austin. These full size containers collect all kinds of debris, from concrete to glass, trees and scrub brush to cardboard. These materials are hauled to local recycling centers and energy plants for reuse and recycling.

Roll-off dumpsters, however, have uses beyond the construction site. Smaller sized dumpsters are an excellent option for homeowners undertaking large housecleaning projects or renovations.

Whether you need to clean out a cluttered garage or are gutting and renovating your kitchen, roll-off dumpsters can collect the refuse and AYD will haul your debris. 20-yard dumpsters are the most common size for household projects and residential use. The larger size accommodates a variety of jobs without filling up too quickly or requiring more hauls. This size also helps you get the job done faster because you won’t be delayed waiting for frequent transports to and from the landfill or recycling center.

Roll-off dumpsters are open at the top which makes it easier to throw trash in. These dumpsters are delivered to your home on a specialized truck that is outfitted with a tilting flatbed for easy loading and unloading.

We can place a dumpster anywhere on your property as long as our trucks have easy access to drop off and pick up the dumpster. If you’re part of a homeowners’ association (HOA), please check with them for rules and regulations regarding the placement of dumpsters and the duration you’re allowed to have dumpsters on your property.

We can collect and haul all kinds of debris, but there are a few items that cannot be placed in our dumpsters, including electrical power plugs, tires, appliances, paint, chemicals (such as household items or anything harmful for the environment), gas, motor oil, antifreeze and more.

AYD Waste can perform multiple waste and debris hauls during your rental period and return the empty dumpsters to you should you need more pickups.

If you’re undertaking a large project at home, contact our representatives today for pricing and details on residential dumpster rental.