Spring is the season of renewal, and for property managers, it’s often when “hidden” operational issues come to light. Seasonal cleanouts and increased foot traffic put your commercial waste management system to the test. A schedule that worked in December might be struggling by April. We’re here to ensure your operations remain cost-effective and compliant. Here are the best ways to identify when your waste volume has officially outpaced your service level.
Key Signs You Need a Service Increase
1. The “Lid Test” and Consistent Overflow The most obvious red flag is a dumpster lid that won’t close. We often see this when out and about. While a once and while-heavy week is normal, consistent overflow attracts pests, creates odors, and leads to overage fees from haulers. If your containers reach capacity more than 24 hours before your scheduled pickup for three consecutive weeks, your volume has changed.
2. Identifying “Seasonal Creep” Spring cleaning triggers surges in bulky items like pallets or old furniture. We would suggest a bulk waste pick up to offset the additional volumes rather than using your regular day to day container. However, if your property has seen a recent increase in occupancy, this “seasonal” spike may be your new baseline. Review your enclosures: if excess waste or cardboard is frequently sitting beside the bin, your current container size no longer meets your needs.
3. The Rise of “On-Call” Requests When we encounter additional service requests, the first order of business at ACWS is to identify the reason. Perhaps it’s a busy time of year with a holiday or event, or your hauler has fallen behind causing a domino effect that needs to be rectified. Sometimes, if there is no apparent issue, it may be time for a service increase or bin size adjustment. While helpful in a pinch, extra service requests can be one of the least cost-effective ways to manage waste. Our team are experts at identifying these issues and how to solve them.
4. Recycling-to-Trash Imbalance Sometimes an overflowing container is a sorting issue. If tenants or employees are not mindful of the difference, you could encounter contamination fines. Separating your waste streams and increasing your trash frequency is much more cost effective than paying these penalties.
Your Spring Volume Strategy
Right-Sizing: Consider if swapping two smaller bins for one larger unit (or vice versa) improves flow without increasing truck visits.
Right Waste For The Right Bin: Ensure that the waste, cardboard, mixed recycling and organics are placed in the correct container. This way you avoid maxing out bin capacity too quickly.
Compactor Checks: Ensure hydraulic levels and seals are intact. A struggling motor can lead to incomplete cycles, making a unit seem “full” when it is just inefficient. Our Preventative maintenance is a great way to ensure compactors and balers are operating at peak efficiency.
Enclosure Maintenance: Clear debris around the bins. If a driver cannot easily access your container, you risk “block or obstructed” pickups during busy routes.
Contact AC Waste Services to help identify these signs early, keep properties clean, tenants happy, and your budget predictable. Better waste is possible.