Choosing the Best Garbage Cans for your Public Space
Public spaces are important. They are not simply means to get from one place to another, but also congregational points, places for celebrations and events, and space to relax and play. In a sense, public spaces are what make private spaces possible; once the novelty of being enclosed wear off, it is public spaces that revitalize us and bring us back to ourselves.
Catie Marron, in her book about public squares, wrote, “This deeply free and public space plays a vital role in our world, equally important in our digital age as in Greco-Roman times, when they were marketplaces for goods and ideas. As common ground, squares are equitable and democratic; they have played a fundamental role in the development of free speech.”
The way we treat these public spaces are important. We need to know that they are safe and clean. We need to know if they are okay to have our kids be in. We need to know that they are well-managed. A key – but overlooked – part of this is how waste is managed in these public spaces. Are the right type of garbage cans provided? Are there enough for the foot traffic? Are they easily serviced and secure?
This article will look at what one should consider when buying garbage cans for a public space.
Why You Should Be Discerning?
Most business owners and facility managers do not spend much time on their trash can purchases. This is regrettable, because garbage cans are likely one of the most visible elements of your public space’s aesthetics. Besides restrooms and water fountains, garbage cans are one of the essential amenities that your space’s guests will seek out.
Failure to properly plan your trash can needs could lead to:
- Trash receptacles improperly secured and damaged from vandalism or weather;
- Overflowing trash cans and a possible increase of litter;
- Wastewater runoff;
- Bad odors and unwanted pests;
- Unhappy guests; and
- A potential decline in your public space use.
How to Choose the Ideal Trash Can for Your Public Space
When choosing your public trash cans, you should choose cans that are
- in a position of regular foot travel,
- inviting to use but not attention-stealing,
- noticeable and clearly identifiable, but not be a distraction,
- of a construction of the can should be strong enough to endure heavy use and wear,
- of quality material, heavy enough to resist the elements and public wear and tear,
- easy enough to use that the guest does not have to manipulate an unsanitary lid or door, but secured enough to discourage can scavenging, and
- of sufficient capacity and the right accessibility. A trash can servicing drivers will need chutes so that trash can be thrown in, for example.
Equally important to the utility of the can is the aesthetics. While public outdoor cans do not need to meet the beauty standards of a hotel trash can, for example, it still needs to be appealing. It is likely one of the first things your guests will interact with within your public venue.
Excellent Outdoor Trash Cans for Public Spaces
Trashcans Unlimited offers the best prices on commercial and decorative trash cans and is a trusted source for all your trash can needs. A look at their offerings for lobby trash cans show these options:
Excellent Outdoor Trash Cans for Rainy
Environments
- Excell Kaiser’s 40 Gallon Perforated Outdoor Park Trash Can with Anchor Kit.
- Commercial Zone’s 45 Gallon ArchTec 728501 Parkview 4 Metal Trash and Recycling Combo Bin.
- Excell Kaiser’s 55 Gallon Parks and Recreation Drum with Two Way Lid.
- Commercial Zone’s 20 Gallon Garden Series Plastic Faux Wood Waste Container.
- Excell Kaiser’s 10 Gallon Landscape Series Perforated Covered Trash Can.
- Witt Industries’ 48 Gallon Metal Mesh Street Park Trash Receptacle.
- Commercial Zone’s 40 Gallon Precision Series Grand Stainless Steel Dual Recycler.
- Commercial Zone’s 45 Gallon ArchTec Parkview 3 Metal Trash Can Indoor/Outdoor.
Excellent Commercial Trash Cans
- Commercial Zone’s 42 Gallon Square Plastic Outdoor Trash Can with Dome Lid.
- Kolor Cans’ 32 Gallon Kolor Can Indoor Outdoor Trash Can.
- Commercial Zone’s 30 Gallon Indoor Outdoor Hexagon Plastic Garbage Can.
- Commercial Zone’s 42 Gallon StoneTec Stone Panel Plastic Trash Can
- Kolor Cans’ 42 Gallon Kolor Can Push Door School Trash Receptacle.
Great Trash Cans for Public Parks, Stadiums, and Parking Lots
- Wausau Tile’s 53 Gallon Concrete 4 Way Open Top Outdoor Waste Container.
- Commercial Zone’s 45 Gallon ArchTec Parkview 3 Covered Trash Can for Outdoor Use.
- Witt Industries’ 36 Gallon Oakley M3601-FT Outdoor Waste Can.
- Wausau Tile’s 35 Gallon Side Opening Steel Outdoor Waste Receptacle.
- Excell Kaiser’s 45 Gallon SCTP-40 Side Door or Top Opening Trash Can.
Important Questions when Buying Outdoor Garbage Bins
Properly planning your venue’s waste management is essential for ensuring the wellbeing of your guests and the reputation of your sites. It is easy to overlook something as mundane as your garbage bins, but neglect of your trash collection is a factor that is immediately noticeable and instantly regrettable.
Improperly calculating your outdoor garbage bin needs can lead to:
- Difficulties in collection and servicing,
- Overflowing and capacity issues,
- Insanitary runoffs in bad weather,
- Uninvited pests,
- Potential intrusion of trash bins and potential loss of personally-identifiable information.
- Increased need to service and replace receptacles,
- Unfriendly odors, and
- Loss of guests and reputation.
When purchasing an outdoor garbage bin, you should ask:
- What is the expected service life of the bin?
- How often will the bin be serviced? Do your staff need to be trained in how to service it?
- Is the bin made of materials that may be offensive or allergy-provoking to guests?
- Is the bin weather-proof or do you have to provide it some type of shelter?
- Is the bin graded for the weather conditions local to you? For example, if you live in an area with heavy rain, does your receptacle have good drainage and is it near a runoff point?
- Is the bin in compliance with local regulations? If it is to be presented in public, does its placement conflict with the servicing of the area, such as landscaping and plowing?
- Does the bin offer enough capacity for the number of times it will be emptied?
- Are there sharp edges or tight corners that could pinch or cut the guest?
- Can the bin be recognized as a bin and not as surrounding décor?
- Is the bin securable?
- In the case of fire, will the bin give off dangerous gases?
- Can bin fires be easily extinguished?
- Is the bin cost-effective?
- Is the bin something that adds and not distract from your facility?
Imelda Marcos once famously said, “People say I’m extravagant because I want to be surrounded by beauty. But, tell me, who wants to be surrounded by garbage?” Garbage is something that is unwelcomed and that most people would rather not deal with. A venue that do what it must to make trash collection as pleasant as possible for its guests will be a venue that is popular and well-visited.