Having a sandbox in your homestead is fun for your children. It provides the best source of entertainment for little ones when playing outdoors. Sandbox sand is a summertime source of entertainment where kids can spend hours enjoying their time outdoors.
However, they are long-lasting, so it’s not advisable to put sandbox all year round. Dust, dirt, and other debris might accumulate in the sandbox as children play. Therefore, it needs to be deposed carefully.
How to Dispose of sandbox sand? You can dispose of sandbox sand by loading it up and waiting for the garbage collectors to pick it up. Besides, you can take it to the nearest land refill, provided you can carry the weights. Another essential way of disposing of sandbox sand is to reuse it. There are many ways to reuse sandbox sand, including filling a composite pile, using it for potted plants, and spreading it on the driveway.
Throwing the sandbox sand in the garbage can might sound like a feasible idea, but the trash collector may not take it away due to the weight of the sand. Although the sand is not as toxin as other chemical substances such as acetone and sulfuric acid, it must still be deposed off properly. Several better ideas will help you quickly dispose of the sandbox.
Properties of Sand
Understanding sand’s main properties will help you find the best way to dispose of your sandbox.
The following are some of the properties of sand:
- White, ground or tan sand is inflammable, non-hazardous, and non-toxic.
- It does not initiate or cause a flame explosion.
- It doesn’t lead to skin burns or affects the skin in any way
- It is ecologically friendly
- Sand particles obtained from quartz rocks feature crystalline silica called a carcinogen. Such sand may cause lung complications like asthma in children since their lungs are delicate and still developing.
Sand may collect dust and other toxic substances from the environment, thus making it hazardous. Therefore, if you have sand lying in your sandbox all year round, you are advised to dispose of it.
When Should You Dispose of Your Sandbox’s Sand?
Normally, disposing of sandbox sand should be done yearly. However, the following conditions may also call for disposing of the sandbox:
When It Is Contaminated
Sandbox sand may accumulate dirt, junk, and debris if it’s not used for long. Moreover, you will notice that leaves, rocks, and other unwanted materials are mixed in the sandbox sand after a certain period. The contamination may be hazardous and may inflict injuries on kids.
When Its Infested
Sandbox sand might be infested by insects such as bugs after being used for a long time. You will notice that bugs infect your sandbox sand if you find special mounds of soil in different sandbox places. Besides, the sandbox sand might produce a weird smell, probably the insects’ waste products.
How To Dispose of Sandbox Sand
There are two main ways you can dispose of sandbox sand. They are:
Curb Side Collection
Before the garbage collector visits your home to collect trash, put the sandbox sand in a spillproof carrier garbage bag or a sealable container. Ensure no other trash is in the same garbage bag or sandbox sand container.
Ensure that each sandbox sand garbage bag weighs no more than forty-five pounds; otherwise, the garbage collector may not take it away. Moreover, ensure the trash collector is aware of the sand’s contamination with hazardous chemicals.
When the sand is contaminated with harmful substances, it must be disposed of carefully. You can read the non-hazardous waste disposal of your state before that.
Landfill Deposit
This method of sandbox sand disposal is best if you have more than 45 pounds of sand to dispose of. It is the best method to dispose of sand if you work in a learning institution playground and you want to dispose of several pounds of sandbox sand. Contact the local landfill authorities for further guidance if you notice more than 45 pounds of sand.
Do not dispose of large amounts of sand with other trash. Collect it in several bags or containers weighing no more than 45 pounds, then transport it to the local landfill site. Depending on the sand’s weight, you will get some cash before being allowed to dispose of the sand. If you don’t have a means of transporting the sand to the local landfill site, ask the local landfill authorities if they offer transport services for hire.
How To Reuse and Recycle Sandbox Sand
Sand is non-hazardous; hence it is possible to reuse and repurpose it. Disposing of your sandbox sand away may be a good idea, but some trach collectors may not haul it away. The massive weight of sand brings such circumstances; hence you must learn how to reuse or recycle the sandbox sand to make it safe for use. The following are some of the best ways to reuse or recycle sandbox sand for further use:
Driveway
Sand is an abrasive substance. It provides traction on the ice regardless of the temperature. You can apply it on icy roads, providing friction that eases movement. It is the best alternative when rick salt or chemical de-icers are no longer effective.
Compost Pile
When making a compost heap, aeration is one of the main requirements. Sand happens to serve this purpose well when added to the compost heap. However, you must ensure that it does not occupy more than a quarter of the compost pile. Sand might also contain trace minerals, supplying them to your heap.
Sand increases the weight and volume of the compost heap; it can also increase drainage, ensuring the overall product is of high quality. Besides, sand breaks up clumps and clots in the soil, thereby increasing its quality.
Plantation
Natural sandbox sand consists of organic matter and silt that supports agriculture. Although sand does not have many nutrients to support healthy plant growth, it anchors it well, thus preventing it from being affected by harsh weather. It also increases soil drainage, thus increasing the overall quality of the soil. Mixing sand with mud makes loam or sand spoil, depending on each ratio.
To avoid wasting the sandbox sand, you can also use the following ways to make good use of it:
- Making a textures paint
- Creating sand walkways
- Bundling a DIY Zen Garden
- Creating clean-up spills
- Creating beach vibes using fire pits
FAQs
Is it OK for sandbox sand to get wet?
No. Once the sandbox sand is installed in your homestead, ensure it doesn’t get wet. Wetness may initiate the growth of infectious bacteria that may be hazardous to kids’ health.
How do you dry out the sand in a sandbox?
Suppose your sandbox sand gets wet accidentally; lay black trash bags over the and on a sunny day. These bags will absorb heat from the sun and then use it to dry the sand.
Is it advisable to throw sandbox sand in the garbage?
Yes. But it depends on the amount of sand you have. If the sand you want to dispose of is more than 45 pounds, it is advisable to arrange other garbage materials for the sand due to their weight.
How frequently should you change sand in the sandbox?
It’s advisable to change the sandbox sand at least once yearly. However, the frequency depends on if the sandbox is infected or contaminated.
The Bottom Line
Before the garbage collector visits your home to collect trash, put the sandbox sand in a spillproof carrier garbage bag or a sealable container. Ensure no other trash is in the same garbage bag or sandbox sand container.
Ensure that each sandbox sand garbage bag weighs no more than forty-five pounds; otherwise, the garbage collector may not take it away. Sandbox sand is a summertime source of entertainment where kids can spend hours enjoying their time outdoors.
Although they are long-lasting, it’s not advisable to put sandbox all year round. Dust, dirt, and other debris might accumulate in the sandbox as children play.
My name is Ella Vicedomine and I’m the founder of this blog. The aim is to start this informational blog to guide people on how to dispose of waste things around in the house but in the right way.
