What's new
By:
Car Wash Forum

This is a sample guest message. Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

Trash Cans

There’s nothing more unappealing than a plastic 30 gallon drum with the top cut off and used as a garbage can. Or a 55 gallon drum with the top cut off and a 12” hole cut into the bottom, then placed upside down over a 30 gallon drum. That just screams unprofessional. We use a 56 gallon Rubbermaid Glutton garbage can. They look like this https://www.kleen-ritecorp.com/p-56559-glutton-container-56-gallon-brown-container-only.aspx there expensive but they do look a little more professional than a cut down soap drum. Do to the homeless problem we have to lock down the lid to keep them out, in fact everything has to be locked.
 
Teepee tops won't work with my setup. I'm currently looking at these. They are very expensive, but they're nice and I like how they operate. Any feedback on this?

trash-cans.com

Indoor/Outdoor Trash Can, Round, Decorative Slatted Sides, 32 Gallon - TRD32-02

Waste Receptacle, Decorative Panels, Powder Coated, Indoor Top, 32 Gal Capacity, ADA Compliant SECURR® Decorative waste and recycling receptacles are 32 gallon, heavy-duty, ADA compliant products that are a great choice where aesthetics and durability are key. Made from corrosion resistant...
trash-cans.com
 
Alpine Dreams said:
Teepee tops won't work with my setup. I'm currently looking at these. They are very expensive, but they're nice and I like how they operate. Any feedback on this?

trash-cans.com

Indoor/Outdoor Trash Can, Round, Decorative Slatted Sides, 32 Gallon - TRD32-02

Waste Receptacle, Decorative Panels, Powder Coated, Indoor Top, 32 Gal Capacity, ADA Compliant SECURR® Decorative waste and recycling receptacles are 32 gallon, heavy-duty, ADA compliant products that are a great choice where aesthetics and durability are key. Made from corrosion resistant...
trash-cans.com
Click to expand...


Those are really neat but the price....
 
That price is insane, and they don't look rugged at all. You could probably have something made out of stainless round bar for that money.
 
OurTown said:
Are there any stand alone cans that can use the mat teepees? The ones I have seen all have been covering a trash hole that is integrated into the vac island.
Click to expand...
That's the only kind I've seen. Usually the island is so low that you need a really short can or a cut-off barrel to fit under it. The teepee is tall and would make any can too top-heavy to stand and hold a floormat while a customer is vacuuming it.
 
MEP001 said:
That's the only kind I've seen. Usually the island is so low that you need a really short can or a cut-off barrel to fit under it. The teepee is tall and would make any can too top-heavy to stand and hold a floormat while a customer is vacuuming it.
Click to expand...


What if the cans were concrete or bolted down?
 
That should work. I've even considered making a box out of signboard to attach to the islands so I can put the teepees on top and have a full size can under it.
 
I have stainless steel enclosures made that have a hinged top with a hole in the lid. They also have locks and a looped cover over the hole. They still look new after 25 years.
 
soapy said:
I have stainless steel enclosures made that have a hinged top with a hole in the lid. They also have locks and a looped cover over the hole. They still look new after 25 years.
Click to expand...

Would you be willing to post a picture? I have a metal worker that has made my door and some other things. I'm sure he could beat the price on the one I linked.

Also, that one I liked it 152 pounds. It would be pretty durable.
 
Randy said:
There’s nothing more unappealing than a plastic 30 gallon drum with the top cut off and used as a garbage can. Or a 55 gallon drum with the top cut off and a 12” hole cut into the bottom, then placed upside down over a 30 gallon drum. That just screams unprofessional. We use a 56 gallon Rubbermaid Glutton garbage can. They look like this https://www.kleen-ritecorp.com/p-56559-glutton-container-56-gallon-brown-container-only.aspx there expensive but they do look a little more professional than a cut down soap drum. Do to the homeless problem we have to lock down the lid to keep them out, in fact everything has to be locked.
Click to expand...

Wow.. screams unprofessional, huh?! Well, I'll have to ask my customers who've kept me in business for 40+ years for forgiveness I guess. To each their own-- I personally like the barrel look, as long as they are kept clean, and they all match .. but that usually goes for any type of trash can. Most of mine are inside a brick 'square', but I have a few that are in the open and I like the utilitarian (if evidently unprofessional) look ... they seem to fit a car wash style -- maybe it's just a Texas thing. I actually think the one you linked to is pretty unappealing (especially if you have locks and/or chains all over it), but I doubt it would stop me from coming to the wash. My largest wash has 29 trash cans .. and I can think of much better ways to spend $3000. And if anyone is thinking of putting a teepee on top which would hide the can completely, spending extra money on a trash can seems impractical to me.
 
Etowah
bigjws said:
And if anyone is thinking of putting a teepee on top which would hide the can completely, spending extra money on a trash can seems impractical to me.
Click to expand...
The idea isn't so much to hide the trash can as it is to limit how big items can be that go in it, as well as provide a customer convenience.
 
MEP001 said:
The idea isn't so much to hide the trash can as it is to limit how big items can be that go in it, as well as provide a customer convenience.
Click to expand...
Yeah, I get that .. I was referring to if someone is going use a teepee or a domed enclosure like Soapy or Alpine, then spending anything extra for a trash can that can't be seen seems unnecessary to me -- which I think was the original question by Kolby. Using a long lasting free plastic barrel seems ideal to me, even if you don't particularly like the looks since no one will see it.
 
bigjws said:
Yeah, I get that .. I was referring to if someone is going use a teepee or a domed enclosure like Soapy or Alpine, then spending anything extra for a trash can that can't be seen seems unnecessary to me -- which I think was the original question by Kolby. Using a long lasting free plastic barrel seems ideal to me, even if you don't particularly like the looks since no one will see it.
Click to expand...
I dont think the morons we get at our washs give 2 sh#@s about what the trash can looks like. Half the time its on the ground anyways and you have to pick up the trash. Spending money on a trash can for a cosmetic look is just plain ignorant. Look at the trash cans Randy has in those pictures where they completely demolished his area around THE TRASH can.
 
Last edited:
This is for Alpine Dreams who wanted to see my trash can enclosures. Basic dimensions are 24 inches square, 36 inch high, Lid has a 12 inch hole and the cover over the hole is 12 inches high. This enclosure is 16 years old but I have some that are over 25 years old. I had the vac islands built 30 inches wide so the cans are somewhat protected. If I was going to mount them separate I would have some stainless angle iron welded on each edge for added strength. I did have a guy throw his cigarette in one once and it caught fire inside the can but the fire was contained with no damage to the Vacuums. The lock is opposite of the hinge that opens away from the vac.IMG_1172.JPG
 
soapy said:
This is for Alpine Dreams who wanted to see my trash can enclosures. Basic dimensions are 24 inches square, 36 inch high, Lid has a 12 inch hole and the cover over the hole is 12 inches high. This enclosure is 16 years old but I have some that are over 25 years old. I had the vac islands built 30 inches wide so the cans are somewhat protected. If I was going to mount them separate I would have some stainless angle iron welded on each edge for added strength. I did have a guy throw his cigarette in one once and it caught fire inside the can but the fire was contained with no damage to the Vacuums. The lock is opposite of the hinge that opens away from the vac.
Click to expand...

I like that a lot. I'll show this to the guys who made our outer door. I'm sure they can make this for me cheaper than the 600 dollar trash can that I linked. My setup is pretty similar, except that the trash can sits between 2 barrier poles that protect our brick vacuum island from being hit. Thanks for showing me this, Soapy!
 
Alpine,

You may want to keep those protective posts. It is possible that Soapy has had a unbelievable long ... run of luck ... that nobody has run into his vacs etc. It appears within Soapy's pic that the vehicle has a bumper higher than his concrete base. No offense intended.
 
I think you are looking at my Jeep that has a lift kit and bumpers that are much higher than standard.
 
mjwalsh said:
Alpine,

You may want to keep those protective posts. It is possible that Soapy has had a unbelievable long ... run of luck ... that nobody has run into his vacs etc. It appears within Soapy's pic that the vehicle has a bumper higher than his concrete base. No offense intended.
Click to expand...

My barriers are DEFINITELY not going anywhere. I was going to have a box built that would fit between them. We have no barriers on the other side and a guy with a trailer did a hit and run and the brick island had to be rebuilt. Luckily, cameras caught him.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top