News: Construction Design & Engineering

DumpsterDome delivers cost savings, clean job site and environmental benefits

At a time when construction costs and environmental concerns are critical, the DumpsterDome provides a terrific solution to reduce debris disposal costs while minimizing contaminated run-off. By keeping water, snow and ice out of the dumpster, this temporary dumpster covering system eliminates the added weight of water-saturated debris. The expense of disposing of water-logged debris is a common problem in the construction, renovation and restoration industries. At eight pounds per gallon, even a small amount of water drives weight up quickly. A single sheet of drywall doubles in weight when saturated, while acoustic ceiling tiles can hold enough water to increase weight from 5 pounds to a whopping 25 pounds. Overweight dumpsters, at $90-$100 per ton additional tipping fees, can easily add 15-25% to disposal costs. The most effective way to keep the weight down is to keep the contents dry. The concept of keeping dumpster contents dry is not a new one. The typical solution of covering the dumpster with an inexpensive tarp only leads to heavy pools of water that make it difficult to remove the tarp, or cause the tarp to tear and leak. Ultimately, the water still makes it into the dumpster - and sometimes on the workers, defeating the purpose. Most homemade solutions prove to be more trouble than they're worth. Only the patent-pending DumpsterDome is durable enough to stand up to the elements. It's simple to install and remove quickly, and is inexpensive enough to warrant use on any temporary or permanent dumpster installation. Users find that the DumpsterDome is also beneficial for the environment. By keeping water out of the dumpster, the contents stay dry allowing much fewer sediments, chemicals and debris leaking out of the dumpster and into the surrounding area. The area around the dumpster is often one of the messiest parts of the job site. Even worse, the contaminants can enter the surrounding storm water systems. Nonpoint source pollution, as it is designated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), is a major cause of water quality problems both in Massachusetts and nationwide. Pattie Brockwell, president of Patti Products, states that many communities now include regulations regarding the need to keep the dumpster and surrounding area "free of odors, insects, debris, overflow and all other nuisances." With a DumpsterDome keeping the contents dry, that runoff is minimized, resulting in a much cleaner and environmentally safer job site. "Companies are doing everything they can to keep costs down," said Brockwell. "One of our customers says the DumpsterDome is the best investment he made in 2009. Not only does it help him save money, it creates a professional looking job site. He confided that it kept the neighboring businesses very satisfied with his work, and less prone to complaints about the construction disruption." Patti Products is a woman-owned company founded in 2008. The DumpsterDome is their first product, and is representative of their objective to create and market products designed and manufactured in the USA. More information about the company and the DumpsterDome covering system can be found at www.DumpsterDome.com.
READ ON THE GO
DIGITAL EDITIONS
Subscribe
Columns and Thought Leadership
Navigating tariffs and material  uncertainty in today’s construction market - by Karl Ginand and Tiffany Gallo

Navigating tariffs and material uncertainty in today’s construction market - by Karl Ginand and Tiffany Gallo

As headlines around tariffs seem to dominate the news daily, many considering construction projects have anticipated major cost escalations and widespread supply issues. While tariffs haven’t driven pricing spikes to the extent once feared, the lasting impact has been a new layer of uncertainty, affecting more than just budgets.
ABC-Mass. chairman’s message:  Rent control isn’t the answer to our housing crisis - by Luiza Mills

ABC-Mass. chairman’s message: Rent control isn’t the answer to our housing crisis - by Luiza Mills

As you may know, Massachusetts voters will be weighing in on a number of ballot initiatives in November. Among them is a proposal to impose the nation’s strictest statewide rent control policy. I’d like to tell you why the ABC MA Board
Greenwood Credit Union City Hall Plaza nears completion - by Frank Picozzi

Greenwood Credit Union City Hall Plaza nears completion - by Frank Picozzi

After several years of planning, construction, and anticipation, the community is eagerly awaiting the opening of the Greenwood Credit Union City Hall Plaza and outdoor skating rink later this month.
It’s time to lead: Confronting mental health in construction - by David Watts

It’s time to lead: Confronting mental health in construction - by David Watts

As we close Mental Health Awareness Month, we must be clear: May isn’t just about ribbons, hashtags, or lunchtime mindfulness apps. It’s about responsibility to confront hard truths that linger in silence, and to challenge ourselves, as leaders in our industry, to do more.