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How Long Is The Dumpster Life Span?

The normal lifespan of a dumpster is said to be 10 years but this can be shortened by other factors. Most of these elements are based on the conditions the dumpster is put under. This article explains the lifespan of a dumpster by explaining some of these factors.

  • Fire
    A dumpster’s lifespan can be hugely affected by the possibility of fires too including other dangerous infernos. There are no exact figures of the number of dumpster fires that occur annually as the National Fire Protection Association reports do not classify the fires that do not cause any sort of discernible property damage. These dumpsters are usually heavy metal containers that have an immense capability of containing fires.
two large garbage compactors standing on a hospital site
However, even for highly automated dumpsters, they are still prone and susceptible to catching fire leading to loss of colossal sums of money and significant loss of value. The implication herein is that a dumpster’s lifespan can also be massively affected by extraneous factors besides its own manufacturer’s predetermined estimate of existence.
  • Rain
    Rain water has a knack for always destroying dumpsters however guarded they are since even lids do not offer ample protection against the penetration of water as they are the feeblest and frailest of all the components of a dumpster. The water, therefore, collects in the container coalescing with the waste materials to form what is commonly referred to as sludge. This is the main cause of destruction as it gradually eats away the paint. This explains why most dumpsters have an additional layer of protection to guard against elements such as water thus deterring the inevitable rusting of the steel interiors in the absence of such extra protection. This rust could eventually have calamitous consequences as it results in gaping holes where the polluted water escapes from and ultimately causes tremendous harm to the environment. Rainwater has the potential of lessening the lifespan of a dumpster if all the requisite measures are not taken into place to safeguard it from such dangers.
  • Investment
    A dumpster might necessitate some immediate replacement once it is much deteriorated and beyond redemption due to either breakage and due to the effects of a fire after burning which render it worthless. However, some people usually opt to drag it out in a bid to lower costs associated with the need to invest in an entirely new replacement as this would sometimes be self-defeating if resources are somewhat limited.
  • Depreciation
    A dumpster is not famed for its appreciation and consequent increase in its value. It depreciates quickly due to the nature of the work that it is normally involved in. Wear and tear are guaranteed but on the contrary, the ramifications involved herein are not as severe as one would imagine. This is because longevity culminates into less and decreased depreciation hence the lifespan of a dumpster and the detection of the most fitting moment to replace it can vary from one person, as some would deem it fit to keep it when the depreciation rate is at its lowest whereas some would prefer to replace it immediately the depreciation commences.
  • Obsolescence
    This ought to be differentiated from depreciation. It often occurs when there are new dumpsters in the market and the old model is deemed obsolete automatically due to the effluxion of time. This implies that the old one ought to be replaced quickly for continued productivity and without any unnecessary increment in operational expenses often attributed to the use of aging and obsolete machines.
  • Damage
    Damage is usually caused by collision and the constant banging, which usually adds quickly culminating into significant ruin. Sometimes, after weighing options and assessing all the financial implications involved, the need for repairs and regular maintenance is perceived to be too much and not worth the hassle. This means that the lifespan of the dumpster has been diminished and the acquisition of a new ought to be imminent.
  • Operating Expense
    This is often overlooked but it is a vital point crucial in guiding you to know whether the dumpster has served its purpose to the end or whether the additional operating expenses associated with maintenance are worth persisting with it devoid of incurring any losses. This, therefore, means a proper balance between the operating expense and lost productivity whilst making the repairs and the need to write it off entirely and make a completely new investment as a whole. This is a key determiner of a dumpster’s lifespan hence serious decisions ought to be made.

As you have seen, the dumpster’s lifespan can be affected by many factors. It is important to follow measures given by the dumpster provider to ensure yours lasts long.