Glossary

Composite materials used in construction that might be composed of sand, gravel, concrete or other substances. Aggregates typically work as foundational material to provide support and reinforcement to a structure. They may also be mixed into asphalt and concrete for a variety of construction projects. Aggregate hauling if usually done with a 30 to 40-foot tractor trailer that can accommodate up to 25 tons of material, which allows for both the efficient transport and dumping of these heavy materials.

The safe disposal of appliances from a residential or commercial property. According to the EPA, and appliance may pertain to any sort of refrigeration or air conditioning device. These appliances might include (but are not limited to) household refrigerators and air conditioning units, car air conditioning units, commercial refrigerators and freezers for retail food and cold storage warehouses. Units must be rendered for “safe disposal” before they are allowed to go to scrap or a landfill.

One of these most common vehicles seen in the trucking industry, a backhoe is an excavator with a bucket attached to a hinged pole. The bucket is pulled toward the vehicle when the truck is in operation. Backhoes have been used in all types of construction projects since it was first introduced as a dipper shovel in 1835. It is primarily used to dig trenches for utility projects and drainage and is typically used in large-scale construction projects such as highways.

A bin, also referred to as a dumpster bin, is a large receptacle used to hold and transport waste. Typically steel or metal in structure, this bin may be standard or customized for specific uses. Most dumpster bins are designed for the ability to be lifted and transported by a vehicle. The bins are lifted for transport by hydraulic systems, which may be located on the front or back of the vehicle, depending on the size and type of dumpster.

This adjective is commonly used to refer to items considered “environmentally-friendly.” The term is used for components that can be broken down to their original state through natural processes. The substances commonly responsible for the breakdown of a biodegradable item are fungi and bacteria, although other basic substances can be used as well. The amount of time it takes for an item to biodegrade is highly variable, ranging from a few hours to many years.

The method of measurement is used to calculate the amount of greenhouse gas emissions produced by an individual, entity or activity. The carbon footprint is increased when people burn fossil fuel for heating homes, producing or consuming foods, or for operating transportation. Carbon footprints are formed by both a primary footprint, which is a direct measure of emissions of Co2, and a secondary footprint, which is the indirect measure of Co2 emissions found in the full life cycle of products.

When carpet is replaced in a home or commercial building, the remnants of old carpeting must be disposed of responsibly. This process typically involves recycling the old material into a new product, rather than sending it to a landfill. When carpet recycling is not possible, carpet removers will be familiar with the best dump or landfill nearby. The process of hauling the carpet to a dump or recycling center can also be a daunting task, which is why it is often left to professional removal services.

Also referred to by its abbreviated name CNG, compressed natural gas may be used as a more environmentally-friendly fuel for vehicles converted for this purpose. This typically includes automobiles, but some school buses and trucks have also been converted to run on compressed natural gas. The gas is free of odor and color, and it is non-corrosive under pressure. Sources for natural gas include oil wells, coal bed methane wells and natural-gas-and-condensate wells.

A service typically provided to residential communities, curbside collection consists of placing household waste in large containers near the curb of the home for pick-up by larger waste management vehicles. Curbside collection began during the latter part of the 19th century, when some homeowners began generating enough waste to require the service. In most communities, collection is scheduled for the same day each week, to allow for ease and predictability of the collection process. Special receptacles might also be provided by the waste company for this purpose.

The process of preparing a land site for any type of construction project, by removing excess dirt and soil and leveling the area. It might also be done to make way for a basement or crawl space in an existing home. Excavation requires the use of many different types of vehicles, heavy machinery and other tools to get the job done. Professionals specially trained to use this equipment are hired to complete the excavation process in most cases.