Blog Archives - Page 3 of 12 - At Your Disposal Waste Services

Downtown Austin New Construction

Posted on August 30, 2014December 28, 2018 by hmdigital

We just began a Downtown Austin new construction project, working with JE Dunn on the construction of a nine-story commercial office building. We just dropped off the first 20-yard dumpster last week. In the weeks and months ahead, we anticipate there will be three to four dumpsters on site with regular hauling every week.

This construction project is LEED-certified. The certification has additional requirements and obligations for general contractors, especially when handling construction debris and refuse. Our LEED-AP certification enables us to support the construction project by facilitating recycling of all debris and providing detailed reports or other information deemed necessary to successfully complete the project.

Did you know that LEED certified buildings have aided in reducing greenhouse gases and waste by consuming 25% less waste than their counterparts?

The majority of new construction projects undertaken here in Austin have LEED or other green building requirements. These projects are leaders in social and environmental responsibility and support the City of Austin’s Zero Waste initiative programs.

As Austin strives to decrease the amount of waste generated by new construction projects and minimize the city’s carbon footprint, it is crucial for new projects to follow these standards and utilize the expertise of companies such as AYD.

The new commercial office building will be located at 1301 San Antonio Street in the West End neighborhood, just a few blocks from the Texas Capitol building. The project should wrap in late summer or early fall of 2015.

We recycle, on average, 98% or more of all debris from new construction. We will also haul and dispose of your non-recyclables so there’s no need to contract with multiple companies to provide the same or similar services. If you are planning a LEED construction project in the city of Austin, please contact us to discuss your refuse recycling requirements.

Photo Credit: © Viktar Naumik/Photoxpress

Improving Dumpster Rental Customer Service with iPads

Posted on July 25, 2014December 28, 2018 by hmdigital

We have recently implemented a new electronic sales system using iPads to better serve the waste management needs of our current and future clients in Austin.

The system has many benefits for us and also improves our customer service. The new iPad system will allow each of our outside sales reps to spend more time in the field assisting customers and making new connections. The iPads will improve efficiency and allow each sales rep to enter information in real time, keeping colleagues updated while on-the-go.

The benefits for our clients and customers are numerous. The real-time data entry is going to improve efficiency, timing and outreach. We’ll be able to better track delivery and pickup dates and the electronic filing means that urgent services (like a last-minute dumpster haul or container pickup) can be performed quickly and more efficiently.

The biggest benefit for our customers is better timing. Using an iPad will help bring our antiquated application system into the modern era. Previously, before a dumpster could be delivered, a signed contract and credit card form needed to be returned to our office. This was typically a multi-step process that required email and faxing a physical form. Now, with the iPads, customers can fill out a contract, sign it and submit it electronically to our office. In just a few minutes and with a few simple key strokes, we will be able to expedite dumpster deliveries.

In addition, we’re proud to announce that we’ve added another outside sales representative to our staff. Amber Fikes joined our team a few weeks ago. A lifelong resident of Austin, she brings extensive sales, customer service and real estate experience to AYD. Growing our staff and implementing modern procedures will continue to improve our ability to quickly and affordably assist construction and demolition customers here in Austin.

“I love customer service and sales because every day there is something new and there are always interesting challenges to overcome,” said Amber. “This job keeps things exciting!”

We’re excited to have her at AYD!

Renting Construction Dumpsters for New Apartment Community in Austin

Posted on June 27, 2014January 12, 2023 by hmdigital

We are currently working with Watermark Commercial Contractors with the construction of new 410-unit apartment complex in Austin. Situated north of Downtown near Austin State Hospital, the apartment community will be located at 4108 Avenue F and does not yet have a name.

We have multiple dumpster sizes on site to accommodate the various types of debris and refuse generated from the construction. One 40-yard dumpster will collect all of the general waste like paper, cardboard, plastic, glass and wood. A smaller 20-yard dumpster is also on site to collect concrete. This size is essential for collecting and transporting bulky and heavy materials like brick, concrete or even dirt to ensure safety of the construction workers, AYD employees and the staff at local landfills and recycling centers.

First, the 20-yard dumpster is a bit easier to fill which is important when you’re loading heavy items that are more difficult to handle. Second, this size is much harder to overload. A dumpster that is overfilled is heavier which means more expense for the contractors. It can also be a safety hazard because heavier dumpsters may be harder to load on our transportation trucks and more difficult to empty.

Both dumpsters are “on call.” This means that we’ll haul each dumpster to be emptied whenever it is required. This flexibility means that the construction job can stay on schedule and won’t be delayed waiting on a dumpster.

We’ve assisted on the construction of student housing for the University of Texas campus in Austin as well as other apartment complexes and office buildings. The city is ever-expanding and we pride ourselves on supporting the local economy and the growth of our city.

If you’re working on apartment construction in Austin, please call us to discuss your waste management needs. We have a variety of dumpster sizes available, offer same-day service and can provide a flexible hauling schedule to meet the needs and goals of your project.

Long-Term Roll Off Dumpster Rentals in Austin

Posted on May 27, 2014December 27, 2018 by hmdigital

We share a lot of stories of construction projects in Austin on our blog. We still consider these jobs short-term roll off dumpster rentals even if it may take several months, and sometimes an entire year or more, to complete the project.

We love watching Austin grow and we pride ourselves on building strong relationships with contractors in our beloved city to provide services for construction projects big and small. From new student housing near the University of Texas at Austin to large professional office complexes, our dumpsters are on site to collect, haul and recycle.

There’s another side to our business: long-term waste management solutions. A front-end load dumpster might immediately come to mind — these are the typically square-shaped dumpsters with flip-top lids that are commonly found behind restaurants, small businesses and even in some apartment communities.

Did you know that roll off dumpsters — larger, rectangular and common on construction sites — are also a common long-term waste management solution? Depending on the job and your specific hauling needs, a large roll off dumpster may be the best available option.

Collecting and disposing of landscaping debris is a common application to use roll off dumpsters long-term. We just secured a five-year deal with local Austin landscaping company, Complete Landscapes, Inc. We will provide one 40-yard dumpster at each location in Austin, Copeland and Kyle to collect trees, brush and other scrap.

Organic materials leftover from landscaping can be recycled. Often they are disposed of in a landfill to help breakdown other materials. Wood can be made into mulch, compost or fertilizer or even used to make sawdust and engineered wood.

If you are interested in long-term roll off dumpster rentals in Austin, there are a few things to keep in mind. The dumpsters are larger than the front-end load style so they will require more space. You will also need to make sure there’s enough space and easy access for our trucks to load and unload to haul, empty and return the dumpster.

Roll off dumpster rentals are an adequate option for large office complexes disposing of lightweight materials like paper, cardboard, etc. They’re an excellent option for landscaping and can be used to collect recyclables or general waste as well.

If you need long-term waste management solutions, please contact us today!

Recycling Construction Debris on Building of New Office in West Austin

Posted on April 30, 2014December 28, 2018 by hmdigital

We’re currently working with general contractor Zapalac/Reed Construction Co. on the construction of a new 250,000 square foot office building in West Austin. We have two 40-yard dumpsters on site to collect debris and we’re providing regular, weekly hauls to recycle the debris.

Part of the San Clemente office and retail park, the new building is located on Westlake Drive on the west side of Capital of Texas Highway. It will be five stories tall and will provide office spaces for local businesses. Spiceworks, a software development company headquartered here in Austin, has already signed on as tenant to lease 95,000 square feet.

The project broke ground in late January of this year and the building is expected to be completed in May 2015. The building also includes a parking lot with 1300 available spaces, and is backed by HPI Real Estate Services & Investments. The building itself was designed by GSC Architects of Austin.

As part of the ongoing initiative to reduce waste in Austin, new construction sites are required to recycle the debris that is generated. We support and take the Zero Waste initiative seriously, which is why we have and maintain a LEED certification. We can provide recycling services to any client, but can also fulfill the requirements of LEED jobs including providing a detailed analysis and breakdown of all materials collected, hauled and recycled.

Recycling is an important part of the construction process. Much of the debris generated on a construction site is similar to common household waste and can easily be recycled and repurposed. These items include glass, plastic, paper and cardboard, metals, and wood. Other construction debris like brick or concrete can be recycled to be reused in paving roadways, preventing erosion or in landscaping. Even dirt can be transported away from an excavation site and re-purposed elsewhere.

If you’re breaking ground on a LEED project in Austin, please contact us to discuss your hauling and recycling needs. We are competitively priced and offer same day delivery service.

Photo credit: GSC Architects

Why a Professor in Texas is Living in a Dumpster

Posted on March 12, 2014June 3, 2022 by hmdigital

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:

LEED Certification by the Numbers

Posted on February 24, 2014April 18, 2019 by hmdigital

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

Posted on January 21, 2014December 28, 2018 by hmdigital

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.