Restaurant Waste Management: Trash Compactors and Restaurant Cleanliness

Few things can hurt the reputation of your restaurant more severely than being branded as “dirty”. According to a study by Cintas Corporation, 75% of consumers will not patronize a restaurant with poor reviews about its cleanliness. Just look at lowly rated restaurants on Google, Yelp, or other review sites. Complaints about the sanitary conditions of these facilities are very likely. One of the most common ways people perceive the cleanliness of your facility is how your trash is maintained. Overflowing dumpsters, foul odors, and debris scattered throughout your parking lot damage the customer experience. Garbage isn’t something you want to associate with a place that serves food. It’s not exactly appetizing to most people. This is what makes effective waste handling so essential, and it’s why you need to ensure you have the best equipment in place. Often that equipment is a trash compactor or baler.

So how do you know if a trash compactor or baler is right for your restaurant? Well, like most industries, it’s heavily dependent on your situation. You’re going to want to evaluate your current waste handling operations. You’ll need to know:

Volume of Waste Generated – How many containers do you currently use, and what’s the frequency of collection?

Types of Waste Generated – Is it wet waste (food), dry waste (cardboard, plastic, etc.), or a mix? Most likely, it will be a mix.

Unique Characteristics of Waste – If it’s food waste, does it produce a foul odor? What is the size of the largest item you need to dispose of?

Space Available – Where do you currently store your waste?

These questions will help you determine the right solution for your situation. For example, suppose your restaurant has limited space but produces a lot of packaging waste. In that case, a Vertical Baler might be the best option to keep recyclable material (cardboard, plastic, etc.) from taking up space and overflowing your dumpster. On the other hand, if you produce a lot of wet waste with strong odors (ex. Seafood restaurant), then a Vertical Compactor (or Self-Contained Compactor depending on your volume and space constraints) with an odor control system may be the best equipment to keep your environment smelling clean & sanitary. As a restaurant owner, keeping a clean environment is crucial to your success. You may have the best food in town, but most people won’t patronize your business if your trash situation causes a loss of appetite. The less your customers know about your waste, the better.

Vertical Compactor Outside Restaurant

If you need help identifying the right waste equipment for your restaurant, we’re here to help. Whether it be fast food or an independent restaurant, we have solutions for all kinds of facilities. Contact us today!