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

Waste management is a critical component of environmental sustainability, public health, and regulatory compliance. Among the many techniques used to treat and handle waste, solidification has emerged as a highly effective method for managing non-hazardous materials. But what exactly is solidification, and why is it so important in waste treatment? In this blog, we’ll provide an overview of the solidification process in waste management, explore its benefits, and environmental professionals are increasingly turning to this method to handle complex waste streams. What Is Solidification in Waste Management? Solidification is a physical process used to convert liquid or semi-liquid waste into a solid, stable mass. The goal is not necessarily to detoxify the waste, but to reduce its mobility, prevent leaching, and make it safer to handle, transport and dispose. This is typically achieved by adding binding agents such as cement, lime, fly ash, or proprietary chemical blends that interact with the waste material, forming a solid matrix. It’s important to manage the moisture to achieve the right consistency. Also, the final product must remain stable over time without significant swelling or shrinking. Common types of liquid waste that are solidified include brine waste, car wash cleanout, catch basin grit, grease trap waste, process sludges and tank cleanouts. At our transfer station, common liquid wastes include drainage water, oily wastewater, and ground water. Benefits of Solidification in Waste Management Implementing solidification offers several critical advantages: 1. Minimizes Environmental Risk By immobilizing hazardous constituents, solidification prevents contaminants from leaching into groundwater or escaping into the air. This is especially vital when dealing with heavy metals, sludges, or industrial byproducts. 2. Enhances Safety in Handling Solid waste is generally safer and easier to handle than liquid or semi-liquid waste. It’s less likely to spill, splash, or react with surrounding materials. 3. Improves Waste Disposal Options Solidified waste can often be disposed of in approved landfills, particularly non-hazardous landfills if the solidification process sufficiently stabilizes the material and meets regulatory standards. Once solidified, our team transports the solid waste to an approved landfill. 4. Cost-Effective Solution Solidification can reduce transportation and disposal costs by converting bulky or difficult-to-manage waste into a more compact and manageable form. Regulatory Compliance and Standards Solidification must meet local, state, and federal regulations—particularly EPA guidelines for hazardous waste treatment. Tests like the TCLP (Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure) are used to determine if the treated waste can be classified as non-hazardous. At Berks Transfer, a certified employee tests the materials before they are emptied into one of our three 12,000-gallon solidification pits to ensure they are safe to be solidified and compliant. As the pressure to manage waste safely and sustainably grows, solidification continues to prove itself as a practical and powerful method in the waste management toolkit. It provides a cost-effective, compliant, and environmentally responsible path forward. At Berks Transfer, you can count on safe, affordable solidification of non-hazardous waste, and we prepare it for transportation and disposal. Contact us today to learn more!

Berks Transfer proudly attended the Home Building Association of Berks County 's Home Run Building and Trade Expo held at the Redner's Center in FirstEnergy Stadium, Reading, PA, from March 14-16th. This year’s event proved to be a fantastic opportunity for local businesses, contractors, and homeowners alike to gather valuable insights and make meaningful connections within the home improvement industry. A Star-Studded Event with Dr. Lori One of the highlights of the expo was the presence of Dr. Lori, the renowned antiques appraiser from The Curse of Oak Island on the History Channel . Dr. Lori also stars in the brand-new Pawn Stars Do America series and Netflix's The King of Collectables. Attendees had the unique opportunity to hear Dr. Lori share her expert insights on collectibles, adding a touch of excitement and expertise to the event. Her engaging presentation was a real draw for many of the attendees who are passionate about antiques and historical treasures. Berks Transfer Educates Attendees on the Benefits of Dumpster Rentals Bill Piszczek from Berks Transfer and Empire Group ’s Ellen Ganime were at the expo to provide valuable information on the many benefits of renting dumpsters for home improvement projects as well as the other services offered. Whether it’s a major renovation or a simple spring cleaning, Berks Transfer offers convenient dumpster rental solutions to help homeowners and contractors manage waste efficiently. With a variety of dumpster sizes and flexible rental options, Berks Transfer stands as a trusted local resource for waste management services in Berks County. Exciting Giveaways and Vendor Showcase In addition to informative presentations, the event featured a vibrant vendor showcase. From landscaping services to window installation, numerous local businesses displayed their products and services to attendees. The show was an excellent opportunity to explore a wide range of services that can enhance any home improvement or construction project. The excitement didn’t stop there. The winner of the Empire Group swag bag was Duane Bialek from ABBI Co., Inc., an electrical contractor from Reading, PA. The bag contained a 20% rental voucher, an Empire Group hoodie, a Berks Transfer t-shirt as well as other shirts and items from Empire Group and its affiliates. Congratulations Duane! Looking Ahead: The Future of Home Building and Renovation The Home Run Building and Trade Expo was a tremendous success, and Berks Transfer is proud to have been a part of it. This event provided valuable opportunities for local businesses to connect with their communities and showcase the latest services and solutions in the home building and renovation industry. Berks Transfer remains committed to offering top-notch dumpster rental services for any size project, making waste disposal simple and efficient for everyone. We look forward to next year's expo!