How some companies are throwing money away

Companies are focused on finding savings and cutting costs so they don’t toss money out the window. 

Yet many firms are still throwing away money – straight into their Dumpsters.

Fact: Auditing your trash flow and Dumpster use – and making necessary changes – can yield significant savings for your company.

Here are two steps that can help you reduce your trash bill:

1. Know how much you toss

The setup with most trash haulers isn’t very precise. The vendors charge companies like yours at the same rate, whether your Dumpsters are stuffed or not.

That makes keeping an eye on exactly how much your company throws out a vital step to savings.

To do this, have your Facility department or housekeeping vendor monitor trash levels over the course of a few weeks.

The goal is to see how full Dumpsters are before they’re emptied.

If trash is nearing the top on all your Dumpsters then you know you’re paying an appropriate rate.

But if Dumpsters have space left, then have your vendor extend the pickup routine by a few days. Or consider whether eliminating one or more of your Dumpsters might be feasible.

Bottom line: Reducing your overall trash load will help you cut hauling costs.

2. Keep Dumpsters off-limits

Do your facility staffers secure the top flap and side openings in your Dumpsters? (Assuming they’re not fenced off.)

If not, don’t be surprised if occupants and even neighbors dump their unwanted stuff in there.

Paying to dispose of other people’s trash is bad enough. You may also be unwittingly taking their hazardous waste too, like:

• half-empty paint cans

• batteries, and

• computer hard drives and monitors.

Those items can get your company fined if traced back to you, on top of your trash costs.