Hazardous vs. Non-Hazardous Waste: What’s the Difference?

When we think about pollution, most of us picture overflowing landfills. But there’s another, often invisible threat lingering in communities across the country: legacy pollution. These are contaminants left behind from past industrial practices—long before environmental regulations were in place. And while we can’t undo history, we can take action to prevent new risks and protect our environment moving forward. At Berks Transfer, we’re committed to doing our part. As a trusted waste transfer station serving Reading and the surrounding region, our mission is to help residents and businesses manage materials responsibly—without accepting hazardous waste, which should always be handled by certified specialists. Let’s take a look at what legacy pollution means and how proper waste disposal makes a real difference. What Is Legacy Pollution? Legacy pollution stems from contaminants left behind by past industrial, agricultural, or commercial activities. These pollutants seeped into soil, groundwater, and local ecosystems long before environmental protections existed. Common sources include: Former manufacturing sites Old waste dumps or burn pits Abandoned factories Mines and quarries Fuel or chemical storage areas Because these pollutants can remain in the environment for decades (or longer), they continue to pose risks to public health, natural habitats, and nearby communities. Why Legacy Pollution Still Matters Today Even though much of this contamination happened years ago, its effects are still felt today. Environmental Risks Toxins embedded in soil or groundwater can disrupt ecosystems, harm wildlife , and alter the natural environment. Community Health Concerns Some legacy pollutants (e.g., PFAS ) can become airborne or migrate into water sources. Economic Impacts Cleanup efforts often require extensive resources, and contaminated land can’t be used safely until remediation is complete. This is why modern waste-handling practices are critical. Preventing today’s waste from becoming tomorrow’s legacy pollution is a responsibility shared by every community. How Berks Transfer Helps Prevent New Pollution Although we do not accept hazardous waste, Berks Transfer plays a key role in keeping the region safe and clean by ensuring proper handling, sorting, and transport of non-hazardous waste. Here’s how: ✅ Responsible Waste Management Every load we receive is processed with care to prevent materials from entering the environment where they don’t belong. ✅ Keeping Hazardous Waste Out of the System By clearly prohibiting hazardous materials, we help protect workers, equipment, and the environment. This also ensures that dangerous items are routed to specialized facilities designed to handle them safely. ✅ Supporting a Cleaner, More Sustainable Community Proper waste handling today means fewer risks tomorrow. We help residents and contractors reduce the chances of future contamination by providing a safe, accessible place to dispose of everyday non-hazardous materials. What You Can Do to Prevent Future Pollution Reducing tomorrow’s environmental risks starts with smart choices today. Here’s how individuals, contractors, and businesses can contribute: Know the difference between hazardous and non-hazardous waste. When in doubt, ask before you load. Dispose of materials properly. Bring acceptable, non-hazardous waste to Berks Transfer. For hazardous materials, contact a licensed hazardous waste facility or your local municipality. Avoid illegal dumping. Waste abandoned in wooded areas, fields, or waterways creates new sources of pollution. Stay informed. Environmental regulations and disposal guidelines evolve—keeping up matters. A Cleaner Future Starts with Responsible Waste Handling Legacy pollution reminds us that past actions can have long-lasting effects. But it also highlights an important opportunity: we can prevent the same mistakes from happening again. Berks Transfer is proud to support our community with safe, reliable disposal services for non-hazardous waste. Together, we can build a cleaner, healthier future—one load at a time.

When we throw things out, we never really take the time to look at what exactly it is we are throwing away. Many people may not know this, but improper disposal of vapes can cause major risks. Some of the risks of improper disposal of vapes are fires at waste facilities, toxic chemical leaks in soil and water, and plastic pollution.

From smartphones and laptops to toys and even greeting cards, lithium-ion batteries are everywhere. But when these batteries are disposed of incorrectly, they can turn waste and recycling facilities into dangerous fire zones. According to the National Waste & Recycling Association (NWRA) and Resource Recycling Systems (RRS), over 5,000 fires occur at waste and recycling facilities across the U.S. every year — and lithium-ion batteries are a leading cause.

When most of us think of hazardous waste, we imagine the classic yellow 55-gallon drum with the black toxic symbol from TV or movies. But hazardous waste isn’t just something we see on the big screen—it’s much closer to home. In fact, many everyday products found in our houses, garages, offices, and businesses are considered hazardous. So, what exactly is hazardous waste? It’s any product labeled as toxic, flammable, explosive , corrosive, or volatile—sometimes even marked with a skull and crossbones or other warning labels. Common examples include cleaning supplies, lithium batteries, pesticides, solvents, car fluids, and furniture stains. While these products serve important purposes, they must be disposed of properly. Hazardous waste can’t just be left out at the curb with your weekly trash pickup. That’s where the Berks County Solid Waste Authority steps in. Protecting Berks County Formed in 1992 by the Berks County Commissioners, the Berks County Solid Waste Authority is dedicated to protecting residents’ health and the environment. Part of their mission includes providing safe and convenient ways to manage hazardous waste. One of the most important programs is the Household Hazardous Waste Cleanup Event —a chance for residents to safely clear out toxic products from their homes and businesses. This event will take place on October 18, 2025, at the Berks County Agricultural Center from 8 AM to noon . This is a safe and easy way to get rid of the hazardous waste products in your home or business. The event is for Berks County residents ONLY and you must pre-register for it. What Hazardous Waste Can You Bring? The event accepts a wide range of materials, including: Floor & Furniture Polish Antifreeze Pool chemicals Lithium & NiCad batteries Fluorescent bulbs Accepted Paint Products: Oil-based paints Turpentine Wood preservatives Paint thinners & solvents Varnishes & stains Please Note: Latex, water-based, and acrylic paints are not accepted. How to Safely Prepare Paint for Disposal If you’re getting rid of paint, here’s how to ensure its properly prepared: Less than 1 inch of paint in the can: Remove the lid and air dry. More than 1 inch of paint: Mix with cat litter until solidified. Once dried, remove the lid and place the can in your regular trash. Do not remove the dried paint from the can. The Easy & Safe Clean Out Please bring your hazardous waste products in their original labeled containers (tightly sealed) and put them in the trunk of your vehicle. If not in the original labeled containers, please label the containers used. Those working at the event will unload your car for you. We hope you take part in this event! It’s a great way to clean out your home or business and to properly dispose of these products. When it comes to non-hazardous, large items such as furniture, rugs, and mattresses, Berks Transfer has you covered with our Do-It-Yourself Drop Off Service . Don’t let hazardous waste pile up in your garage or basement. Take advantage of the Berks County Household Hazardous Waste Cleanup Event and do your part to keep our community safe and clean.

As the temperatures cool and the leaves begin to change, many homeowners and contractors are gearing up for seasonal cleanups, home improvement projects, and last-minute outdoor renovations. But here’s something many don’t realize — fall is actually the perfect time to rent a dumpster. 1. Fall Cleanup Season Is in Full Swing Autumn brings a natural wave of debris — from falling leaves and dead branches to garden waste and storm cleanup. Instead of bagging endless piles of yard waste or cramming everything into your weekly trash pickup, a dumpster rental can help you manage everything in one go. Common fall debris includes: Leaves, twigs, and branches Old garden materials Outdoor furniture you no longer need Landscaping waste 2. The Perfect Time for Home Decluttering With the holidays around the corner, fall is a great time to declutter your home and make space before friends and family come to visit. Whether you're cleaning out closets, organizing your basement, or tackling the garage, a dumpster rental makes it easy to toss unwanted items without multiple trips to the dump. Great items to toss in a fall dumpster: Old furniture or broken appliances Toys, boxes, and outdated electronics Holiday decorations you no longer use General junk or storage clutter 3. Fall Is Ideal for Outdoor Projects and Renovations Before winter weather sets in, many homeowners and contractors are wrapping up: Roofing jobs Siding replacements Deck or fence removals Kitchen and bathroom remodels All of these projects generate waste — a dumpster rental keeps your site clean, safe, and organized. Don’t wait until the first sign of snowflakes. Get your project done efficiently with a dumpster ready for debris removal. 4. Fire Hazard Prevention Dry leaves and debris can become serious fire hazards — especially if you’re using fire pits or wood-burning stoves in the fall. Renting a dumpster helps you quickly clear out dry yard waste and reduce the risk of accidental fires. 5. Dumpster Availability and Flexible Scheduling Summer is the busiest season for dumpster rentals, but fall offers more availability, better scheduling flexibility, and potentially even lower wait times. When you rent in the fall: You get your ideal dumpster size, when you need it You avoid the spring and summer rental rush You have time to prep your property before winter weather Berks Transfer offers quick delivery, easy pickup, and no hidden fees — making fall dumpster rental even more convenient. 6. Fall is the Season of Letting Go There’s something symbolic (and practical) about using fall to let go of the old and prepare for the new. Whether it’s unwanted clutter, home improvement waste, or old landscaping materials, now is the time to get rid of what you don’t need — and start fresh before winter. Ready to Book Your Fall Dumpster? At Berks Transfer, we’ve helped thousands of customers in Berks County and surrounding areas simplify their cleanup efforts with reliable, affordable dumpster rentals. We’re not just another dumpster company — we’re your neighbors, and we care about keeping our communities clean, safe, and beautiful. Whether you’re cleaning up your yard or remodeling your kitchen before winter, we’re here to make fall projects easier than ever. Contact us today to schedule your dumpster!

Organic waste is one of the most common — and often misunderstood — types of waste generated by households, businesses, and agricultural operations. But managing it properly is critical for the health of our environment and the efficiency of waste disposal systems.

Hurricane season is here and communities along the coast brace for potential storms, flooding, and wind damage. Homeowners and businesses often focus on emergency preparedness—boarding windows, stocking up on supplies, and securing insurance. But there’s another crucial part of storm readiness that’s often overlooked: waste management. Enter the dumpster rental. Whether you're preparing for a major storm or dealing with the aftermath, having a dumpster on hand can simplify storm debris removal, speed up cleanup, and keep your property safe and organized. Why Hurricanes Create Massive Waste Challenges After a hurricane, communities are left with a mix of fallen trees, damaged roofing, ruined furniture, soaked drywall, and general debris. Local waste services are often overwhelmed, with pickup delayed for days or even weeks. This leaves homeowners and business owners stuck with unsightly and potentially hazardous piles of debris. That’s where renting a dumpster makes a huge difference. Benefits of Renting a Dumpster During Hurricane Season ✅ 1. Efficient Cleanup After the Storm A roll-off dumpster rental allows you to quickly dispose of branches, roofing shingles, flooring, furniture, and other storm-damaged materials. You don’t have to wait on municipal services or make multiple trips to the landfill. ✅ 2. Improves Safety Piles of debris can become breeding grounds for pests, mold, and even pose fire risks. A dumpster helps keep your yard or construction site clean and safe by containing waste in one central location. ✅ 3. Ideal for Pre-Storm Preparation Many property owners take proactive steps like trimming trees, removing loose fencing, or cleaning out garages before a hurricane hits. Renting a dumpster before the storm makes preparation faster and cleaner, giving you peace of mind. ✅ 4. Custom Sizes for Every Job From small residential cleanups to large-scale commercial restorations, dumpsters come in a variety of sizes. That means there's a solution for every project, no matter the scale of the storm's impact. At Berks Transfer , we offer 12, 20, 30 and 40-yard dumpsters with easy delivery and pick up. What Can You Put in a Dumpster After a Hurricane? Dumpsters are perfect for most non-hazardous storm debris, including: Tree limbs and yard waste Roofing materials and siding Flood-damaged furniture and carpet Broken drywall and construction debris Note: Items like paint, gasoline, batteries, or appliances containing freon are restricted. Partner With a Reliable Dumpster Company Choosing a trustworthy dumpster rental company can make all the difference. Look for: Fast delivery & pickup Transparent pricing Responsive customer service Flexible rental terms for disaster recovery Whether you’re a homeowner, contractor, or property manager, having a plan in place for hurricane season cleanup is key and a dumpster rental should be part of that plan. Be Ready for Any Storm When hurricanes strike, the aftermath can feel overwhelming. But with the right tools, like a dependable dumpster rental, you can reclaim your space faster and get back on your feet. Berks Transfer is always ready to get you the dumpster you need. Count on us for reliable and affordable dumpster rentals – no matter the season!

Using Dumpsters at Events: A Smart Waste Management Solution

Source: Detroit Free Press