Anyone try using vandal-resistant locking trash cans?

[Mchas]

I have been having a lot of problems with homeless people dumping over my trash cans (I just use empty 55 gallon drums) and throwing the trash around everywhere and am desperate for ideas. I have been considering buying some vandal resistant trash cans that lock, like they have at parks and other public places. They are very expensive and more hassle to unlock and empty but I need to do something. I thought about removing the trash cans altogether as I have seen on another thread here but I tried that once before and people just left their trash all over the place instead so that won't work.

Anyone tried trash cans like this?

For example: https://www.belson.com/41-Gallon-Steel-Waste-Receptacle-with-Locking-Access-Door

 

[MEP001]

I had to lock my cans down after a homeless guy started lifting them out and dumping the trash out as he sorted through it. Mine are cans in barrels cemented into the vac islands, so the receptacles you linked wouldn't work. I also don't feel like they'd stop anyone from reachin in to dig the trash out and go through it (They still do at mine).

I'd like to put the "teepee" type stainless toppers on the islands, but that would leave room for maybe a 15 gallon can and I have to empty my 32 gallon ones three times a day as it is. I've thought about building a box with a locking topper to hold a 45 gallon can. It'll have to be stainless or sign-grade plywood which is expensive af.

 

[Mchas]

Yea, it’s very frustrating. They dump mine over to sift through it too, or possibly just on purpose because they hate me.

I think one that has a locking side door, bolts to the ground, and has some type of lid that prevents them from easily reaching in and pulling out trash might work… but they are very expensive so I was wondering if anyone else tried them before I spend that much money.

 

[MEP001]

I know a guy who has something like these by the bays. It's not locking, but could probably be made so pretty easily. They're bolted down.

45 gal. Indoor/Outdoor Brown Waste Container

Great for indoor or outdoor use!

www.acemart.com

 

[Touchless]

We had a few people going through our trash and they didn’t leave a mess but bothered our customers so we had no trespassing orders put on them. They have never returned. Just a different idea that may help?

 

[jack954]

i have the kind that mep posted. i put a lock and hinge on front about a year ago and it solved the problem. also kept people from lifting the lid and dumping big stuff like wood or bags of concrete. i will take a pic tomorrow and post

 

[Waxman]

you could get these and put some type of lock on it

Rubbermaid Commercial Heavy-Duty BRUTE Dome Swing Top Door Lid for 44 Gallon Waste/Utility Containers, Plastic, Blue (1834840): Tools Products: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific

Rubbermaid Commercial Heavy-Duty BRUTE Dome Swing Top Door Lid for 44 Gallon Waste/Utility Containers, Plastic, Blue (1834840): Tools Products: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific

www.amazon.com

 

[MEP001]

We had a few people going through our trash and they didn’t leave a mess but bothered our customers so we had no trespassing orders put on them. They have never returned. Just a different idea that may help?

That works if you can catch them and get the police to show up. They scatter like roaches when they see me, and the cops take two hours to come.

 

[Mchas]

We had a few people going through our trash and they didn’t leave a mess but bothered our customers so we had no trespassing orders put on them. They have never returned. Just a different idea that may help?

I have asked the police about this, unfortunately I am in CA and the homeless can basically do whatever they want. Even if they arrest them they’ll just be back within a few hours and even more pissed off than before.

 

[Mchas]

i have the kind that mep posted. i put a lock and hinge on front about a year ago and it solved the problem. also kept people from lifting the lid and dumping big stuff like wood or bags of concrete. i will take a pic tomorrow and post

That would be a big help - thanks!

 

[soapy]

I have been using custom made stainless steel garbage can enclosures for about 30 years. They are 24 inches square by 36 inches tall and will hold a big Brute rubbermade can. I lock the lid down so the homeless can't get in . They still basically look brand new. Last one had built was around $700 but worth it in my opinion.

 

[mac]

I have to teepee style about 3 feet tall. It has rather small holes in the sides. Could lock it easily but no need to here.

 

[jack954]

locked cans

 

[MEP001]

locked cans

Those are the exact ones the guy I mentioned above has. What brand is that, where did you get it? I might have to try one and cut it down shorter, screw the doors shut and cut a circular hole for trash to keep big items out. I'm also tired of digging 500 pounds of concrete or tile and mortar out of a trash can.

 

[jack954]

i am not sure. they were already here when i bought the wash in 2004

 

[jack954]

i will check later today if there is a name on them

 

[jack954]

rubbermaid

 

[Randy]

At one car wash we use this garbage can https://www.zoro.com/tough-guy-55-gal-lldpe-round-trash-can-gray-5dmu6/i/G2231896/?recommended=true with this lid https://www.zoro.com/rubbermaid-brute-trash-can-top-dome-swing-closure-gray-fg265788gray/i/G0062167/?recommended=true and we drill a hole though the edge and put a lock on it so they can’t get the lid off.

At the rest of our car washes we use this garbage can https://www.zoro.com/rubbermaid-56-gal-polyethylene-rectangular-trash-can-brown-fg256b00brn/i/G0014691/?q=rbbermaid%2056glutton%20 with this lid https://www.zoro.com/rubbermaid-rectangle-brown-trash-can-fg256v00brn/i/G0014673/?recommended=true we modify the lid by putting a sheet metal plate on each side with 7 inch hole to put the garbage in. We also drill a hole at the center of the lip on each side to keep anyone from taking lid off.

The guys here who use an old 55 gallon soap drum with the top cut off with a hole cut in the bottom over a 30 gallon drum have a mess to clean up every day.

 

[Mchas]

At one car wash we use this garbage can https://www.zoro.com/tough-guy-55-gal-lldpe-round-trash-can-gray-5dmu6/i/G2231896/?recommended=true with this lid https://www.zoro.com/rubbermaid-brute-trash-can-top-dome-swing-closure-gray-fg265788gray/i/G0062167/?recommended=true and we drill a hole though the edge and put a lock on it so they can’t get the lid off.

At the rest of our car washes we use this garbage can https://www.zoro.com/rubbermaid-56-gal-polyethylene-rectangular-trash-can-brown-fg256b00brn/i/G0014691/?q=rbbermaid%2056glutton%20 with this lid https://www.zoro.com/rubbermaid-rectangle-brown-trash-can-fg256v00brn/i/G0014673/?recommended=true we modify the lid by putting a sheet metal plate on each side with 7 inch hole to put the garbage in. We also drill a hole at the center of the lip on each side to keep anyone from taking lid off.

The guys here who use an old 55 gallon soap drum with the top cut off with a hole cut in the bottom over a 30 gallon drum have a mess to clean up every day.

Looks like those could work well - curious why you use two different styles? What are the pros/cons of each?