Installing a lock on my dumpster

[Sequoia]

My trash problem has been creeping upward and its at the edge of out of control again. I have one dumpster, no cans.

I'm considering locking the dumpster, and adding two concrete trash receptacles with small covers on top. Then doing a daily dump from the smaller receptacles to the dumpster.

I expect initial resistance-- probably bags of trash left on the ground. But, I am curious of the experience, over time, of implementing something like this. Have you made such a change, and what was the response?

 

[MEP001]

There are some forum members who have removed their trash cans. I wouldn't be able to do such a thing, but if I did I'd post signs that leaving trash is a crime (It would be here, don't know if it would be for you). I'm also having a bad trash problem, and at some point I'm going to build boxes over the trash cans in the island with an opening too small for anything the size of a shoebox or bigger. I have a 3 yard dumpster picked up three times a week and it's full every pickup. I'm going to have to up it to a 6 yard which I can lock and go to twice a week pickup.

 

[Greg Pack]

Reducing the number of trash cans on the lot, installing lockable covers, and getting a locking bar on the dumpster all reduced my overall trash volume. Your situation is unique but an unlocked dumpster is just too convenient. If I keep my dumpster unlocked someone discovers it within a matter of days and starts to dispose of their garbage in it.

 

[mjwalsh]

We lock our dumpster for sure during the summer months & beyond that time after too many incidents of dead fish etc. Waste Management used to do a pickup & clean once a year if we requested. Anybody else have that kind of concern. I tried to contact our State Game & Fish about finding a joint prevention measure ... no answer ... meanwhile the jackass was getting accolades for being a top game warden!

I notice in the late summer-early fall the yellow jackets can be a problem around garbage-trash. I would think that would be a consideration when it comes to having permanent secured trash bins on vac islands.

 

[KleanRide]

My dumpster is locked, but any bum with half a brain knows that you can pry those plastic lids open even with the locking bar in place. Keeps the really dumb ones out, though. I'm also having locking lids with small openings built for my trash cans. Mainly to keep the hyenas from treasure hunting in the wee hours.

 

[Randy]

Garbage and trash are a huge problem with car washes, car washes seem to be synonymous with garbage. It seems like the public thinks that car washes are a transfer site for the dump or a place to take their garbage to dump it. You name it I’ve seen it at the car wash. We have to lock our garbage cans, we use a Rubbermaid 56 gallon Glutton can and have to lock the lid on the can, we also put a piece of steel on the opening with a 9” hole cut into so you can’t put large garbage bags into the can. This has cut down on the about of garbage they put into the cans, they still leave bags of garbage now and then that they can’t get into the can.

The dumpster we have had to beef up the locking devices. With the lock bar that comes on the dumpster they’ll jump on the lids until they cave in and pull out the trash looking for that treasure. We put a bar across the center of the dumpster, reinforced the lids of the dumpster and added another bar across the top of the lids. We lock the dumpster down with 4 locks. Now they are picking the locks on the dumpster to get at the garbage, it’s unbelievable what we have to go though. A little trick I learned from my garbage truck driver. When the dumpster is full or near full use the blade of a shovel to pack it down instead of getting on top of the garbage and jumping up and down. By working down with the blade of a shovel you can pack it down tighter and you don't run the risk of hurting yourself if there is something sharp in the dumpster, broken glass etc.

 

[KleanRide]

If I were more technically inclined, I'd love to design a "Yogi Device" that I could arm/disarm when needed. When armed, anyone opening the lid on the dumpster gets hit full in the face with a blast of bear spray.

 

[KleanRide]

I notice in the late summer-early fall the yellow jackets can be a problem around garbage-trash.

Send me some of those yellow jackets. Sounds like the solution to my treasure hunter problems!

 

[sparkey]

Got rid of all trash cans almost a year ago. I will never go back. I don't miss everyone coming in to dump trash and drive off without spending a dime. Now I know someone sitting in front of my vac is actually there to buy something not dump trash. At first I had a little trash laying on top of my vacuum bays, but now I probably don't fill a 5 gallon bucket in 3 weeks.

 

[Downtown Car Wash]

This, apparently, is definitely a problem in the car wash industry, I thought it was just mine. We have had the same issues, since I purchased my first wash two years ago. I just recently had some of my guys build these trash can protectors. I also have a construction company and steel fabrication shop, so that helps. We are going to install composite decking boards to finish these up. I have been trying to figure out what to put on the signs, because I'm worried about what another guy said above about folks just leaving stuff sitting next to these.

 

[KleanRide]

Very nice, I'm having some covers made to replace the old vac island trash teepees that came with the wash. Similar concept with an 8 inch hole and heavy locks. I've also been thinking about signs and wording. At this point I'm considering "Leave anything outside this trash can and I'll kick your sorry ass"

 

[Sequoia]

I have been watching my dumpster over the past few weeks using a camera. It is a magnet for trouble. People dump enormous quantities of trash, homeless people come to the wash day and night to mine for treasure, and bears come at night to scatter everything, everywhere all over the parking lot.

I'm seriously considering removing all trash receptacle including the dumpster. I think that penalizes legitimate customers who want to vacuum or do light detail, but oh my that dumpster attracts all the wrong element.

 

[mjwalsh]

bears can be dangerous too

 

[Randy]

They cut the locks off my dumpster last night. The guy used bolt cutters and then climbed into the dumpster, he sent about 30 minutes inside and when he climbed out he had a handful of what looked like mail. I'm thinking identity theft.

 

[Sequoia]

bears can be dangerous too

What is sad is there was a cub along with mom in the dumpster. That's going to end badly for both.