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There are several things to avoid packing into your storage container to reduce the risk of damage or danger. This includes weapons, ammunition, and combustible, flammable, or toxic items, such as gasoline, fireworks, or chemicals. Perishable items, such as plants or food (except for canned goods), are also a no-go, as are damp goods.

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.  

It’s not difficult to dispose of wood pellet ash, but you should always let it cool completely before disposal to avoid it sparking a fire. If you’ve got an energy-efficient pellet stove, there shouldn’t be much to empty from the ash box, anyway. However, once the ash has cooled, you might consider composting it or simply adding it to your garden or plant soil. The ash is full of minerals, not chemicals, so it’s a wonderful fertilizer for grass and plants.

The only packing material that isn’t often recyclable is rubber, but rubber bands aren’t common for packing and moving. Some materials used for moving, like cardboard, paper, and hard plastic, are easy to recycle and can often just go out for regular pickup with your other recyclables, like cans and bottles. Plastic films and packing peanuts can be a bit more difficult to recycle and usually need to go to a dedicated recycling facility that can handle those specific materials.