Pro-Star Blog

4 Benefits Of Installing Commercial Trash Compactors On Your Rental Properties

By Admin • October 23, 2018

Owning rental properties can be a significant investment, but maintaining them can sometimes be problematic as trash removal can be challenging. If you provide a way for people to dispose of their trash easily, however, it can be less of a burden. Installing trash compactors for your tenants is one solution that has some benefits for both you and the tenets.

1. Improved Aesthetics

Residential apartments often attract the public. When a prospective tenant comes to see the property, or someone comes to visit, you want the property to look good. That first impression can make or break the property’s reputation. Once that happens, it is tough to turn around and can affect the properties potential to attract future residents.

Installing trash compactors can help keep the property clean, and if you install the compactor inside a fence or wall so they are harder to see, the trash around them is at least out of site. The enclosure has to be accessible to the truck that comes to change the compactor, but that does not mean the compactor needs to be in the center of the complex. It can still be out of direct view if you plan for it.

2. Reducing Liability

Dumpsters can attract people looking for free things to them. If the dumpster has an open top that someone can get into, they might climb in to try and retrieve something they see in it. A problem occurs when the person who jumps into the dumpster gets hurt. In many cases, they will want to hold you responsible. Having the dumpster posted might not be enough to protect you if the court sides with the dumpster diver.

When you install compactors on the property, the trash is pushed into the container making it harder to access from the outside. There is less temptation to see what is inside the container and, with it, less likelihood that someone is going to climb into the dumpster. Running the compactor is essential to keep trash from being visible in the compactors hopper.

3. Reducing the Risk of Rodents and Animals

Anytime you have trash in an exterior area, you run the risk of having rodents and small animals looking for food scraps. They are not looking for trouble, just a free meal. The problem is, they bring diseases with them, and they make a mess pulling things out of the dumpster or trash containers. Once the trash is compacted, it is much harder for them to get at and may even discourage them from coming back.

4. Cost Savings

Loose trash fills a dumpster very quickly, and once it is full, it can blow out of the dumpster. I can become necessary to have the dumpster emptied daily, and with the services comes additional costs for dumping and hauling. The additional costs can quickly become too much to handle, and if the dumpsters sit full for a day or two, people will start putting trash on the ground. It can create a significant problem in a short time.

Installing compactors will reduce the problem of full dumpsters. Once the trash is inside the compactor, the ram minimizes the size and volume of waste using high pressure. The amount of trash inside the container will depend on the compactor you choose, but a standard option is a 4:1 ratio or a compactor that holds 75 percent more waste than a dumpster of the same yardage.

At Pro-Star Roll-Off Dumpsters in San Antonio, we can provide the compactors for your property and service them for you. Give us a call, and we can help you determine how large a compactor you need and set up a service schedule that works for your needs.

Choose the Right Commercial Trash Compactor

By Admin • September 25, 2018

Many businesses often overlook the issue of waste management, yet waste can have significant implications for factors such as revenue, productivity, efficiency, and safety in the workplace. One way facilities can optimize their waste removal process is by using trash compactors.

If you generate a large amount of waste, renting a compactor can make business sense. However, a lot goes into selecting the right waste compactor.

Here are important considerations for choosing a rental trash compactor for your business.

Type

Commercial waste compactors come in two different types — stationary compactors and self-contained compactors. The type of compactor you need will largely depend on the nature of the waste your business generates.

Stationary Compactors

A stationary compactor is bolted or welded to the ground and features a removable container for convenient emptying. This type of compactor is suitable for managing high volume dry waste such as paper, cardboard, and other recyclable materials.

Self-Contained Compactors

Self-contained compactors are mobile and have a leak proof construction. This type of compactor is ideal for facilities that handle a high volume of liquid or wet waste. Facilities can include restaurants, apartment complexes, and hospitals.

Space

Every business wants to make the most use of available floor space. When looking for the right trash compactor, bear in mind the space limitations of your facility. The right size compactor at the right location will allow you to balance between your waste management requirements and the need to optimize efficiency within the facility.

Volume

Next, estimate the amount of waste in cubic yards your business generates per week. This will allow you to determine the right size compactor. The larger the volume of weekly waste you generate, the larger the compactor size you will need.

Additionally, consider the size and weight of the waste your business generates. This will determine the appropriate compactor charge chamber and hopper size to avoid jamming up the in-feed and affecting the efficiency of the compactor system.

Choose the right size compactor to minimize pickup frequency and the related fees. Consult your local trash compactor rentals company for recommendations on the right size compactor for your business.

Disposal

When selecting a commercial trash compactor, prioritize efficiency and ease of use. Consider how workers will bring waste to the compactors.

Some compactors allow workers to dispose of waste by hand while others allow the use of carts to conveniently dump waste into the compactor.

Additionally, some systems feature a chute through which the user can remain in the building and feed waste into the compactor. When workers are able to dispose of waste easily, they are more likely to comply with and take ownership of the company's waste management policy.

Removal

In addition to considering the waste disposal style, determine the most appropriate waste removal procedure based on the volume of waste your facility generates and the hauling frequency.

The main waste removal styles are front load, rear load, and roll-off. Roll-off trash compactors are generally suitable for facilities that generate a high volume of waste. This type of compactor maximizes the truck's carrying capacity. However, the compactor will need to go to and from the landfill. Therefore, you should adequately prepare for this downtime.

Front load and rear load compactors might be a suitable alternative for moderate to lower volume waste generating facilities. Although typically smaller, these compactors deliver optimal waste compression to minimize hauling frequency.

A trash compactor can help to improve your waste management practices, which, in turn, can result in significant cost savings, space maximization, improved safety and sanitation, and a better business reputation.

If you want professional waste compactors in New Braunfels and San Antonio, Texas, call Pro-Star Roll-Off Dumpsters today.

6 Tips to Organize Your Neighborhood Cleanup Project

By Admin • August 29, 2018

As the organizer of your neighborhood cleanup project, you are in the right position to make a difference in your community. Once you've put together a team of volunteers, your next step is to figure out what to do with all of the trash that your group removes from the public areas.

Depending upon the focus of your project, you should expect to clean up general garbage, landscaping debris, and household items that are all too big for your normal trash container to hold. Roll-off dumpsters provide a simple way to dispose of almost all waste, so you should use them and the following tips to improve your cleanup project.

1. Assess the Scope of the Project

Your first step is to determine how much trash you think the cleanup project may generate. Gather some information about your project, such as the areas where the volunteers will focus, along with a list of any large items that you know need to be disassembled and removed.

For large lot cleanups, get a measurement of the square footage of the property, and take note of special debris such as fencing. Then, give this information to the customer service team when you arrange for the dumpster rental so that they can help you determine the size and number of dumpsters you need.

2. Choose the Right Dumpster Location

The dumpster should be located in a central area that is easily accessible to all of the volunteers. However, the placement may be restricted by laws for safety and access purposes. For instance, you should never place a dumpster below power lines, and it should be put on level ground.

When choosing a good location, be sure to adhere to local laws, while also keeping the dumpster in a convenient location for your volunteers.

3. Acquire Any Necessary Approvals

Dumpster permits are sometimes required if you plan to place them on public areas such as the road. However, you may not need one if you plan to place the dumpster on a private driveway. Keep in mind that the HOA and other community planning boards may still need to give their approval before you can set one up.

4. Advise Volunteers of Prohibited Items

When multiple people are working on a project, someone can easily mistakenly toss something that is not approved into the dumpster. Hold a meeting before the event to discuss what cannot go into the container, such as flammable liquids. You may also include these prohibited items on any volunteer flyer materials to reinforce the concept.

5. Make Plans to Dispose of Hazardous Waste

Although the dumpster is perfect for holding old building materials and organic trash such as branches, you need to plan to dispose of hazardous items. Identify the hazardous items that you expect to accumulate and find community resources for their disposal.

For instance, many auto supply stores and repair shops have programs that allow people to safely dispose of oil, antifreeze, and car batteries. You can also check with the local office supply or electronics store to find out if they accept old batteries and devices that cannot go to the landfill.

6. Enforce Basic Safety Rules

Once the cleanup operation is up and running, appoint a member of the crew to stay near the dumpster for safety purposes. For instance, they can remind people not to smoke near the dumpster and help to keep debris picked up around the sides so that no one trips and falls.

At Pro-Star Roll-Off Dumpsters, we love helping our customers keep their communities clean. Give us a call today to get an estimate on dumpster rental that makes your neighborhood cleanup project a breeze.

4 Steps for Handling Construction Debris Responsibly

By Admin • July 23, 2018

Whether you're working on a small or large construction project, you will inevitably produce waste. You could just dump it all, but construction businesses must show more responsibility when it comes to construction waste. Figuring out responsible ways to deal with your construction waste can take some effort, but it's worth it. Here is how you can start.

1. Know Your Construction Debris

The type of construction debris produced by your activities will vary depending on the nature and scope of the work. Most forms of construction will produce waste consisting of one or more of the following:

Wood
Masonry
Drywall
Metal
Tile
Plastic
Wiring

Anything found in most homes or buildings can become construction waste. Other than the larger materials, construction waste can also include smaller things like packaging, tape, nails, or shingles.

Make sure you know what materials you have present on the site at any given time. Knowing what you have will help you to better plan what to do with it.

2. Separate Your Construction Debris

Separating your construction debris can help a lot if you plan to do other things with the debris after you complete the job. Separation can also help if you're using a debris removal service to collect the debris.

Some removal services won't pick up certain types of debris. Some others may need to know precisely what you're dumping. Texas has laws concerning what a waste removal service can dump. These companies must also adhere to certain federal regulations. Separating your debris can help you and the company.

You may come up with a separation system of your own, especially if you or your company does many regular jobs. However, you should make a plan and find responsible solutions for your construction waste even if you work alone.

3. Have a Plan for Your Construction Debris

Always have a plan in place specifically for your construction debris. Your plan can also help you figure out how best to deal with your construction debris. Include what you plan to do for each type of material you have at the site.

For example, you can separate things by:

What you can recycle
What you can reuse
What you can sell

Recycling your debris benefits both the local and global environment. Recycling also adds a level of sustainability to your business that people will respect. You can search for local buyers who purchase the types of debris you create. Some recyclers and a number of private businesses will pay for particular types of construction debris.

Reusing materials can make sense and even save you money. You can even establish another arm of your business dedicated to selling materials left over after you complete a job.

You can reuse things like doors, fixtures, and anything you can keep intact. Other people can use these things as well. So keep them for yourself, sell them, or give them away. This kind of activity gives your business another layer of sustainability.

4. Use an Experienced Service for Your Construction Debris

Even with a plan for your debris, you will still likely need to throw a good deal of it away. When choosing a debris removal service, or ordering a roll-off dumpster, choose a service that can properly dispose of construction debris.

Using a service with responsible practices is also part of dealing with your construction waste the right way. Not all dumpster services know how to navigate construction sites. Some non-professional services don't adhere to waste and recycling regulations.

Pro-Star Roll-Off Dumpsters can handle your construction debris responsibly so you don't have to worry. If you need dumpster rentals or professional debris removal services, contact us for your next job.