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Services include regular garbage pickup, recycling, and bulk waste disposal options.

While a biohazard cleanup sounds like a scary process, knowing what to expect can help ease your concerns and set you up for success. It’s good to note that more than one professional might be needed depending on your situation, but that will be determined during the assessment. What you can expect during a home biohazard cleanup is the following:

• Assessment: The first step in this process is for a biohazard cleanup professional to assess the damage. They create a report that includes the biohazard safety level, the needed damage cleanup, and the time it should take to complete the project. 

• Setup: The cleanup professional prepares the site to prevent cross-contamination and reduce toxicity risk. This process can include tarping and creating decontamination zones. 

• Removal of surface contamination: Any contaminated materials are removed from the area, starting with large materials followed by small ones. The professional can assess any floor-related damage once everything is removed from the site. 

• Salvaging items: The biohazard cleanup professionals assess which items can be saved and which are contaminated beyond the point of saving. Those deemed unsafe will be disposed of immediately. 

• Waste disposal: The next step is carefully disposing of the hazardous waste. Your professional will place the contaminated items in specific containers to keep the contamination from spreading.   

• Disinfection: The house will be disinfected and odor-neutralized. Even more minor details, like light switches and bulbs, will be disinfected so that they do not recontaminate the area in the future. 

• Restoration: Once the decontamination is complete, the last step is to restore the home. This includes repairing the damage to flooring, walls, or even the home's foundation.  

Policies vary on what you can throw in a dumpster rental. Some companies will accept large appliances, although you may need to take steps to prepare the washer and dryer for disposal. Some companies don’t allow large appliances in their dumpsters at all, so it’s best to ask the rental company beforehand to find out what its policy is.

When considering how to dispose of other appliances, a landfill is also usually not an option. The biggest difference is that electrical appliances like refrigerators, washing machines, or dishwashers aren’t as easy to transport as a portable microwave. Some local councils offer bulky uplift services (although a fee may apply), scrap metal recyclers might pick yours up, trade-in options on big items are more common, and some utility companies offer incentivized recycling programs.