Waste Management: Taking Out The Waste In Facility Maintenance

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To stretch staffing and maintenance budgets, facility managers are turning to larger, more durable and aesthetic progressive litter receptacles over traditional containers.

While keeping trash under control isn't the only priority of facility, maintenance and property managers, the day-in, day-out scheme of keeping facilities operational, it's a job that cannot be overlooked. Simply put, the public expects a clean aesthetic experience, and nothing will get their attention quicker than overflowing, unkempt trash cans.

Where facility managers have traditionally had to choose between undersized trash cans requiring frequent emptying, ugly "oil barrels," and costly concrete or wrought iron containers, new larger, more durable and aesthetic waste receptacles are allowing them to stretch their staffing and maintenance budgets while keeping facilities cleaner and more appealing than ever.

The drawbacks of traditional trash containers have been many. Because most are offered in a 30 to 40 gallon size, they require extra labor and trips to empty them out. The added work can overtax busy facility staff, distract them from important repairs/preventive maintenance, and require the hiring of additional staff. Such labor is multiplied by container designs that require extra steps, such as removing/replacing a lid or failing to provide for automation where appropriate.

Durability and aesthetics have also been a problem. Single layer, injection molded type cans may slice all the way down when punctured, or crack, melt, peel, or fade in summer heat or winter cold. Metal containers tend to scratch and rust, and concrete containers stain — even though they may cost many hundreds of dollars. They remain unsightly unless continually maintained or until replaced, which adds considerable expense.

The limitations of typical trash containers have facility managers looking to more cost effective, aesthetic alternatives.

Though proactive in his management approach, Clint Campbell, a food services facilities manager for California State University Long Beach, faced a dilemma. With 5,000 transactions per day in food service areas, the 30-gallon cabinet-style trash cans used tended to overflow before maintenance staff could complete their rounds. The door flap covering the interior bin also tended to break off, and the units themselves didn't weather well outside. Other open cans allowed birds to get into the trash and make a mess.

"We either had to add more staff or solve the problem with a different type of trash receptacle," says Campbell. "Typical plastic cans didn't provide longevity, cement was costly and heavy to move, and metal oil barrels too unattractive."

Campbell turned to 58-gallon Progressive Litter Receptacles (PLRs), manufactured by Anaheim, California-based ROTO Industries Inc. The PLRs, a new larger more durable and aesthetic trash container than traditional options, enabled Campbell's staff to complete their rounds without returning to empty overflowing trash cans. "They allow existing staff to work through the buildings, and have eliminated any problem of overflow," says Campbell.

Additionally, because their unique four-opening design makes it easy for the public to dispose of trash from any angle, more ends up in the can and less on the ground, according to Campbell. The domed top and mold-in gutters over entry points also provide protection from garbage-seeking birds, animals, and the elements. This prevents water from collecting inside the container or bag.

Since the PLRs are rotationally molded plastic litter containers with double wall construction, they offer superior strength, abrasion, stain, fade and leak protection while remaining lightweight.

"Two years later the ROTO PLRs still look great," says Campbell. "Because of their capacity and ease of use, we were able to avoid adding additional staff. They offer real value."

When Adventure Aquarium opened its 200,000 sq. ft. facility in Camden, New Jersey, creating a safe, clean, welcoming experience and facility was a priority, and choosing the right trash container to facilitate this was an important decision, according to Kevin Keppel, Director of Guest Relations.

"The right trash container had to withstand rain, snow, sleet, heat, and humidity and still look good," says Keppel. "It had to stay upright when 50 mph winds blew off the river. It had to be cost-effective and easy to service, since the receptacles would be emptied by hand."

To avoid labor-intensive servicing, Keppel wanted to avoid heavy containers, those with lids that had to be removed and set aside, and those with cumbersome chains. Additionally, minimum order flexibility was important because the facility wouldn't identify their true needs until operation began, and they wanted to minimize cost overruns in the opening budget.

The ROTO PLRs did more than satisfy Adventure Aquarium's requirements. "From the start, the PLRs sleek contemporary look attracted us, as did the ability to place our logo on the side in our chosen color scheme. Because our logo is imprinted, not a decal, it's very durable and has helped to reinforce our brand."

The units were surprisingly cost effective both in initial purchase price and the cost of servicing. "I expected them to be more expensive than they were. They're much more cost effective than other more traditional options," says Keppel, who states Adventure Aquarium was able to order seven units initially, followed by five more the following summer in order to better meet opening and operational budget constraints.

Instead of a cumbersome lid, a fully automated gravity release latch streamlines manual servicing of the PLRs. "Since we do everything manually, the easy open flip top makes emptying out the PLRs as easy as it can be," says Keppel. "With one hand, staff can flip open a can, pull out and change the liner. It's easy to do and you don't have to be strong."

Weighted bottoms prevent tipping from wind or rough use, states Keppel who has never seen one tip over due to wind, visitors, or the elements.

According to Keppel, the PLRs four opening design also offers advantages. "No matter how or where we place them, we know they'll be fully accessible for trash disposal. That makes it easy for the public to properly dispose of trash, which makes our job easier. Guests often compliment us on how clean our facility is, and that's how it should be."

by Del Williams

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