Box Brothers is happy to report the safe use of dumpsters in Denver, unlike other cities. Yes, evidently, Philadelphia had a dumpster pool problem that managed to call attention to both the safety practices of dumpster rental companies and the bizarre inventions of overheated city dwellers. And in August 2016, the Mayor’s office had to release a statement reminding citizens that the city would not issue permits for “dumpster pools” and that people should find other ways to have fun and cool down.
The issue came to a head after the organizers of a neighborhood block party rented a dumpster and turned it into a makeshift pool. They started by thoroughly cleaning the dumpster before lining the bottom with plywood and rounding out the sharp corners with pool noodles. A large tarp was then laid down before they filled the dumpster to the brim with water from a nearby fire hydrant.
Although we can all appreciate human ingenuity, and as a dumpster rental company we are flattered that people see such potential for our great product, we have to admit there are many reasons why this is not a clever idea.
First, a dumpster is for storing waste. And while many toxic and harmful substances are banned from being disposed of in a dumpster; no used dumpster can ever be considered sanitary enough to swim in. We don’t even want to think about the kinds of germs that partygoers came into contact with or may have ingested while swimming in a dumpster pool.
Another important issue to address here is the water source. The organizers of the block party in Philadelphia illegally opened a fire hydrant to fill their makeshift pool. Fire hydrants eject water at extremely high pressure. The force of this water can be enough to injure bystanders or even cause traffic accidents. Also, using such a large volume of water could mean that in the event of a fire in the neighborhood, the hydrant may not have sufficient water supply to put out the blaze.
As you can imagine, there are numerous hazards associated with using a dumpster incorrectly. If you are considering renting one, it is important to first ask yourself whether a dumpster is right for the task you need to complete. If you are planning to dispose of household trash, garden waste, old appliances or furniture, recycling material or construction debris in a safe, fast, and affordable way, then a rental dumpster is a great option. On the other hand, if you’re more interested in creating a swimming pool, performance stage, tiny residence, or children’s playground, please look elsewhere for a solution.
Evidently, Philadelphia had a dumpster pool problem and we can only hope that this trend won’t spread to any other cities. At Box Brothers Roll-Off Services, we are committed to providing a safe, efficient and affordable option for waste disposal. We also feel it is part of our responsibility towards our customers to ensure they have the necessary information to use their rental dumpsters responsibly. For prices and more info on our services, please feel free to contact us.