cost reductions / recycling options / cost containment / increased focus on core issues / centralized customer service / consolidated billing

In a lifetime, the average American will throw away 600 times his/her adult weight in garbage. This means that a 150-lb. adult will leave a legacy of 90,000 lbs of trash for his/her children.

More than 56 percent of the paper consumed in the U.S. during 2007 was recovered for recycling — an all-time high. This impressive figure equals nearly 360 pounds of paper for each man, woman, and child in America.

Americans go through 2.5 million plastic bottles every year. If every American household recycled just one out of every ten HDPE bottles they used, we’d keep 200 million pounds of the plastic out of landfills every year.

If you had a 15-year-old tree and made it into paper grocery bags, you’d get about 700 of them. A supermarket could use all of them in under an hour. This means in one year, one supermarket goes through 60,500,000 paper bags.

Trash Talk!

8 TRASH DISPOSAL TIPS to remember

by Linda Fowles

Don’t Block Trash Containers

If trash haulers do not have clear access to the waste or recycling containers, they cannot service them. On scheduled service days in Worcester and neighboring cities, place orange cones or barricades in front of the rubbish container to prevent vehicles from parking near or around the area. The driver’s schedule does not allow time to search out the owners of the vehicles. Also, be sure the dumpster corral or gate is unlocked and open on service days. Missed service for these reasons often result in a dry run fee to cover the driver’s time and fuel.

Plan for Delayed Service

Planning ahead for anticipated national, state, and Worcester holidays can lessen the frustration when service is delayed. If there is concern that the container will be overfilled by the next scheduled service, call ahead for an extra trash pickup prior to the holiday. Please remember most haulers plan their routes 24 hours in advance. Let Waste Focus know 48 hours prior to waste or recycling service being needed to ensure service when you need it.

Watch Out for Overflow & Overages

Breaking down boxes is the most cost efficient way to increase the recycling container’s capacity; as is squeezing excess air out of the trash bags before disposing of them. To avoid overage fees, the dumpster lids must be able to close, or rubbish not overflow the rim of the container. The haulers cannot pick up any excess trash bags or boxes that are around the trash/recycling containers. Most drivers are instructed not to leave their vehicles due to safety reasons. Having someone available to re-fill the container while the driver is still onsite prevents the need for an extra pickup, but there may be an extra fee for the additional yardage.

Beware of Illegal Dumping

If unauthorized personnel are using the waste or recycling containers, locks or locking mechanisms can be placed on them to prevent access. The waste hauler must have a key in order for the rubbish and/or recycling containers to be serviced.

Don’t Put Unacceptable Items in Trash Containers

Bulk items CANNOT be placed in or around regular trash and recycling dumpsters. Special arrangements must be made for disposal. Bulk items are: mattresses/box springs, carpeting, furniture, appliances, televisions and computers, tires, batteries, air conditioners, propane tanks, fluorescent light bulbs, etc. If these items are found in the trash or recycling containers the waste haulers will charge additional per item fees for the disposal. Most dumpsters have stickers on them with disposal guidelines.

Wash Stinky Trash Containers

With the summer heat odors can be quite a problem. Trash or recycling containers can be power washed and deodorized when they are empty.

Plan For Construction and Paving

Contact Waste Focus to schedule relocations or temporary removals of waste or recycling containers at least 72 hours prior to work commencing.

Don’t lose your valuables

Keep cell phones, wallets, handbags away from the container when disposing of trash. This prevents valuables from accidentally getting thrown in. Once rubbish or recycling containers are emptied it is impossible to find the missing item.

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