Hello Kleen Opener Community!
We really hope that everyone is doing well during this time. So much is changing everyday and we want you to know that the Kleen Opener team is here for you.
We are compiling some resources that you can access if you are social distancing or following your local "Stay at Home" measures. This list may update over time, so bookmark this page and come back for more!
We hope everyone can stay safe during this time.
USA Today is organizing a directory of local businesses that need your support during this time of closures. Consider buying a gift card to one of these local businesses.
We are all in this together!
Act now to help ensure businesses are properly cleaned and disinfected to help prevent further spread of the novel coronavirus.
The Clean Start: Back to Work Tax Credit would incentivize businesses to properly clean and disinfect their facilities when "stay-at-home" restrictions are lifted, as well as help prevent further infections.
If you have come across any helpful resources, feel free to comment below. We will check them out and possibly add them to our list!
]]>
*As this is a current news issue that changes on the daily, this article may include information that is outdated or updated. We will do our best to update this article to reflect the current state of affairs. But make sure to keep in mind our publish date so you can compare this article to current news updates*
More people staying home means more trash at apartment complexes.
The CDC's current safety guidelines encourages the public to self distance and avoid public gatherings.
Additionally, local governments are mandating various levels of quarantines. For example in the City of Los Angeles (where our business Kleen Opener is located) bars, restaurants, entertainment venues, and gyms are being closed to the public and these end dates keep extending. Many universities and school districts across the nation are closed and moved to online classes.
As time goes on one can expect more of these types of closures to happen all across the United States. Closures are important to promote self distancing in an attempt to reduce the spread and severity of the Novel Coronavirus, COVID-19.
This means that more people will be staying home in the weeks to come.
Apartment complexes and multi family properties will most likely experience an increased amount of waste as people are self distancing for COVID-19.
An increased amount of waste means that garbage bins and dumpsters may be overflowing. Garbage overflow is a public health concern as it spreads germs and bacteria.
Apartment owners and property management companies should take precautions for the public health of tenants and residents.
A proactive approach to an increased amount of trash in critical during this pandemic.
1. Order additional bins from your local waste hauler
2. Ask if you can set up more frequent pick ups temporarily
3. Make sure that your dumpsters are accessible
4. Inform your community and ask your tenants to be vigilant about properly and safely disposing of waste
Kleen Opener is a dumpster lid opener that attaches to your metal or plastic dumpster. With a simple pull of a strap, Kleen Opener lifts and holds open big bulky dumpster lids. Closing lids and keeping them closed is just as easy with Kleen Opener!
Prevent garbage overflow by making all of your dumpsters easy to use and taking out the trash more convenient. Enhance your living environment and promote the health and well being of your residents and tenants with Kleen Opener.
Still have questions? Contact Us!
One mantra among many aimed at protecting our environment from the ever-increasing amount of trash. People around the world are becoming more aware about the environmental impact of trash and other generated waste. It is a rather large and multifaceted topic to address.
Most of the advice out there about reducing individual waste, sometimes referred to as zero-waste, focuses on people creating less non-organic waste by buying and using less single use goods and packaging.
But what if there was another way to help – a way to reduce waste and help the environment that actually has nothing to do with how much waste you create…
First, in order to talk about waste, one must be familiar with the life cycle of trash and waste. The life cycle of waste can be described as the cycle in waste is created: from raw materials to production and so on.
The above graphic is meant to provide one example of the life cycle of waste. This cycle is a simplified version that does not consider every detail about where waste comes from and goes, as it is a very multifaceted topic. Additionally, this version of the cycle is centered on the consumer or individual, but it must be noted that most waste is actually generated from over production and corporations. But there are still actions you can take as an individual to improve this cycle.
The general advice out there is to reduce the amount of non-organic waste you produce by limiting buying and consumption or switching to more sustainable products. While this is one way for an individual to make a positive impact on the life cycle of waste, it is not the only way. There is another way to reduce waste and protect our environment that goes beyond an individual reducing use or consumption!
Have you ever walked down a street on trash pickup day, walked around a parking lot at a shopping center, or through a busy park? If so, then it is very likely that you have seen an abundance of trash in your life. From little bins at the park, residential roller bins, to commercial sized dumpsters, there are a lot of receptacles and bins we use to collect waste. And a lot of the time this is not the only place where you see the trash; the trash is overflowing onto the ground or simply placed around or near the proper receptacles.
So another area where you as an individual can make an impact on the life cycle of waste has to do with how your trash actually gets thrown away – stopping the problem of overflowing garbage bins. Overflowing garbage bins is just one problem that arises along the life cycle of waste with some easy solutions.
There are many negative environmental and health affects of overflowing garbage bins.
Overflowing garbage on the streets becomes home to bacteria and diseases that can be spread by the insects, rodents, and animals that it attracts.
Overflowing waste can also impact air quality which cause various respiratory issues for people from the odors and potential toxins released. Additionally, the decay of organic waste lets off methane which contributes to the greenhouse effect. Therefore it is also important to compost organic waste instead of throwing it away in the first place.
Overflowing waste also gets into our water system contaminating surface waters and threatening all ecosystems. When garbage is left on the ground outside of bins it can be carried away by rain or other elements and end up in our water systems and oceans. We are already experiencing the negative affects of this as we see our ocean suffocating from plastic and other trash that ends up there. It is important to note that most water pollution does not come from overflowing garbage bins but from businesses, corporations, and production. But it is still important to make an impact where you can as an individual.
Additionally, most people would say that overflowing garbage diminishes the quality of life in living environments as neighborhoods are seen as gross or dirty. It can improve your quality of life to live in an environment that is clean and where trash is not building up on the streets.
These are just some of the common impacts that overflowing garbage bins and dumpsters have on our environment.
One reason that garbage bin overflow happens is that there are not enough receptacles and bins to handle the flow of waste for that area. This could be seen at a park, restaurant, sporting field, or apartment complex for example. If there is constantly trash being left outside of the bins or falling out of them due to over filling then there are not enough bins or the bins are not being emptied often enough. This can be solved by ordering more trash cans or dumpsters either online or directly from your waste hauler and by scheduling your staff or waste hauler to pick up the trash more often.
Another reason is convenience. Unfortunately, if you want people to do the right thing then you have to make it easy and convenient for them. This means that trash receptacles must be in convenient locations and in enough locations. And not everyone wants to actively think about what they are throwing away. If you want the trash properly sorted then it is helpful to have easy to follow labels directing people on what to sort between landfill, recycle, and compost. Without labels even more people will take the convenient option of throwing everything into the trash because it is what is most familiar and convenient.
For dumpsters, the inconvenience lies in its use. Dumpsters can be very tall and have heavy lids. If people can not reach the lid to open it or are not able to lift the lid while holding trash, most often their items will get left next to the dumpster in hopes that someone else will deal with it. Luckily Kleen Opener aims to make dumpster use safer, more convenient, and effortless by allowing users to easily open and close dumpster lids. You can get Kleen Opener here or check out our Dumpster Safety 101 blog for more tips on how to make dumpster use more convenient.
It can definitely be overwhelming to think about all of the ways that our Earth is impacted by the actions we take. Just know that most of the direct impact on our environment is not an individual responsibility but something more complex that involves greater policy change. And while this may be true, it is still important to make personal shifts to help if you can. Hopefully now you are more aware about one tiny piece of the puzzle – the problem of overflowing bins – and can be more conscious of ways that you can be more intentional about how you throw away the waste that you do produce. Adding this knowledge to the other things you may do personally to help the environment will make an even greater impact.
]]>
Do you rent out commercial or residential facilities? Then you know that it is important to stay up to date on many technologies because the businesses and tenants that use your facilities want state-of-the-art things. It is hard to keep track of all of the new systems on the market and to decide what is worth the investment. But there is a simple yet overlooked part of almost any property that is overdue for an upgrade in 2019 - the dumpster!
Does your dumpster ever look like this?
With the Kleen Opener your dumpsters will look like this.
Kleen Opener is a device that allows you to easily open and close a dumpster lid without touching the lid or the dumpster.
How many times have you lost control of the big lids while trying to shut them? With the Kleen Opener you will be able to safely shut your dumpster lid and save your fingers from potentially getting slammed! The Kleen Opener allows for your renters to easily lift and shut the big and dirty lids with ease. A simple tug of a strap engages our mechanism to gently raise and shut the plastic dumpster lids.
Gone are the days of juggling bulky trash bags while trying to open and close dumpster lids. With Kleen Opener you can open the lid with ease allowing you to focus on safely lifting your trash into the bin with both arms.
Open dumpster lids are a sanitary issue for your building. If left open your dumpster is prone to the elements - rain can fill your dumpster leading to nasty overflow while wind can cause debris to dirty your property.
Additionally open lids make your dumpsters accessible to birds, rodents, and other vermin who may try to it their new home. Keep your property free from these unwanted pests who bring along many potential health and sanitation issues.
With the Kleen Opener you will never have to touch the dirty plastic lid of your dumpster again. This allows your renters to stay cleaner and allows you to be compliant for having a healthy environment.
With the Kleen Opener taking out the garbage will no longer be a dreaded task. By giving this space a simple upgrade you are creating a more efficient environment that your renters and employees will be more likely to use and upkeep. Open dumpster lids can lead to a code violation from the Health Department. Providing your tenants with an easy and efficient way to keep the dumpsters closed will allow you to stay compliant with local ordinances.
Dumpsters are cast away as a less than glamorous part of your property; they are hidden and ignored. Because of this they get disgusting and are off-putting. But this is no longer the case because there is a simple and easy way to upgrade this space and provide value to your renters today!
The Kleen Opener is a quick and easy solution for your dumpster that will help upgrade your building drastically. It may not seem like much but it is a simple and necessary upgrade for your building in 2019.
You do not have to wait to upgrade your building. Get this time saving, sanitary keeping and efficient product today. You won’t regret your decision to get this quick and easy solution.
]]>
We all know that dumpsters get dumped... and it is not always the most gentle process. One of the questions we get asked the most at Kleen Opener is how our product holds up when dumpsters are lifted and emptied by waste haulers. Does Kleen Opener stay on the dumpster? Will the dumpster lids open when tilted by the dump truck?
We understand your concerns. One of the biggest factors we take into consideration when designing our product is durability to withstand waste hauling conditions. We are going to answer some of the most frequently asked questions about how our product Kleen Opener works when dumpsters are being emptied. Additionally, at the bottom of this page you can watch a video to see exactly what happens when waste haulers empty a dumpster with Kleen Opener.
No. Kleen Opener is not attached to the lid of your dumpster. It is installed on the top side rail of the body of the dumpster. Therefore your dumpster's lids open freely when lifted and dumped, if installed correctly.
Often the Kleen Opener arms will also open with the lid when the dumpster is tipped over due to gravity. But sometimes the device will remain closed. Either way, the dumpster lids will open for the waste to be emptied.
We have designed and tested our product to stay firmly mounted to your dumpster even when tipped and dumped by waste haulers. When developing the product we realized that there are many different types of dumpsters. This led us to create four different Mount Types with custom mounting brackets. It is important that you get the correct Mount Type for your dumpster so that Kleen Opener will install correctly.
We are confident that our installation process keeps your Kleen Opener (and investment) secure. You can check out our Installation Video and Installation Manual for more details. Each Kleen Opener order comes with a Free Tool Kit with all of the necessary tools for installation because we want you to be able to install your Kleen Opener correctly and with ease.
But we know that we cannot account for every possible error out there. So should you find your Kleen Opener has been lost during the waste hauling process, please Contact Us and we would love to work with you to resolve this.
Sometimes when your dumpster is put back after being emptied the Kleen Opener arms and lids will be open. This is because the arms sometimes open when the dumpster is tipped. And as our product is designed, the arms remain open unless closed manually.
If your waste hauler gets out of the truck to move the dumpsters, sometimes they will close the Kleen Opener arms for you. You can also coordinate with your local waste hauling company about closing the lids with Kleen Opener. But if you notice that the dumpsters are left with the lids open then the next person who takes out the trash can close the lids. If you are worried about being compliant with local codes, fear not! Since your bin has just been emptied and there is no waste inside you are compliant. But we understand that you want your lids closed so simply the next person to take out the trash will close the lids!
If your Kleen Opener is installed as described in our Installation Manual then the orange pull down straps should rest out of the way of where the waste hauler's forks pick up the dumpster. But we know that there are many different types and designs of bins out there, so to alleviate this risk we have updated our product to include a Nylon Strap Cleat.
The Nylon Strap Cleat is a durable hook that attaches to the front of your dumpster with 3M VHB Double Sided Tape. The pull down straps can be hung on the hooks when not in use to rest out of the way of the waste hauler's forks. You can learn more about how to install and use this component of your Kleen Opener kit here.
Still have questions? Contact Us and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
Kleen Opener is committed to making the best custom products to enhance your everyday working and living environment. Our brand is built around customers and user experience. We always aim to make Kleen Opener the best product it can be by adapting and innovating as we pioneer the field.
You may have noticed when ordering our product that we have a specification called "Mount Type". Kleen Opener has four custom mounting brackets based on the material and configuration of your dumpster. These four Mount Types are based on our current knowledge of the most common dumpster types across the United States.
As customers come to us with unique dumpsters we work to customize our product to fit their needs. Therefore, if you feel like your dumpster does not match one of our descriptions, or you are unsure, please contact us. We are excited to take a look at the dumpsters at your facility to offer you our expertise on which Mount Type will work best for you.
To help you decide which Mount Type best matches your dumpsters we have described the different mount types and dumpster configurations below.
Mount Type #1: Metal Angled is for dumpsters with a metal body, meaning the main structure and walls of the dumpster are made of metal (this is separate from the material of the lid). Additionally, these dumpsters have an angle from the top rail to the inner wall of the dumpster.
To identify the angled top rail, look at either the left side or right side wall of the dumpster from the inside. You will see that the top side rail of the dumpster angles down into the inner wall of the dumpster before the wall runs flat down to the base. This can be seen in the following picture.
This side top rail is where you will install the mounting bracket of the Kleen Opener. Mount specific installation video can be seen Here.
Mount Type #2: Metal Flat is for dumpsters with a metal body, meaning the main structure and walls of the dumpster are made of metal (this is separate from the material of the lid). Additionally, these dumpsters have a flat inner wall from the top rail. There is NOT an angle from the top rail to the inner wall of this dumpster.
To identify the flat top rail, look at either the left side or right side wall of the dumpster from the inside. You will see that the top side rail of the dumpster runs flat with the inner wall of the dumpster. This can be seen in the following picture.
This side top rail is where you will install the mounting bracket of the Kleen Opener. Mount specific installation video can be seen Here.
Mount Type #3: Plastic Flat is for dumpsters with a plastic body, meaning the main structure and walls of the dumpster are made of plastic (this is separate from the material of the lid).
The determining factor for this mount is less about what the inner wall of the dumpster looks like (unlike our other mounts) and more about the quality of the plastic. These plastic dumpsters are made more rigid and solid. The side walls tend to run perpendicular to the back wall (where the lid is mounted). The side walls are most likely to remain straight and not bow (as they tend to do for Mount #4). If you have a plastic dumpster with a 5 inch wide top rail then most likely this is your dumpster type. See example in the following image.
This side top rail is where you will install the mounting bracket of the Kleen Opener. Mount specific installation video can be seen Here.
Mount Type #4: Plastic Lip is for dumpsters with a plastic body, meaning the main structure and walls of the dumpster are made of plastic (this is separate from the material of the lid). Additionally, these dumpsters have a lip or edge that sticks out on the inner wall.
To identify the lip, look at either the left side or right side wall of the dumpster from the inside. A couple of inches down from the top side rail of the dumpster there is a lip that sticks out, before returning to the flat inner wall. This can be seen in the picture below.
Additionally, these dumpsters are usually made from a more pliable plastic. This can be seen when the side walls bow (curve out) either due to overloading or the elements. Therefore the mounting bracket for this type of dumpster is made with some additional components: the supporting angle bracket and the spacer. These two pieces are necessary for mounting our bracket securely to the plastic top rail and allowing the proper spacing for the arm to open and close without hitting the wall.
This side top rail is where you will install the mounting bracket of the Kleen Opener. Mount specific installation video can be seen Here.
You can order your Kleen Opener here to select your correct Mount Type and enter other specifications.
We hope that we have explained why we have four Mount Types and how to identify which Mount Type is fit for your dumpsters. Should you have any further questions regarding our Mount Types or your dumpster configuration, please Contact Us. We would love the opportunity to see what your dumpster needs are and how Kleen Opener can be the perfect fit for you.
]]>
The Kleen Opener team is dedicated to designing the best custom products to serve our clients’ needs and to bring safety, efficiency, and compliance to facilities everywhere.
We are so grateful to our clients who believe in the product enough to provide us with feedback. We encourage feedback and want to hear about your experience using our product, so please reach out to us via the Contact Us page or email us here.
Customer feedback and our personal experience led us to develop an additional piece for the Kleen Opener, the nylon strap cleat.
The nylon strap cleat attaches to the front of the dumpster via Loctite Super Glue Gel. The cleat serves as a hook to hold the strap in place when not in use. Additionally, the cleat keeps the strap out of the way of the waste hauler’s forks when picking up the dumpster. It is easy to install, easy to use, and a practical addition to our Kleen Opener Kit.
We are fabricating these cleats in house and will be shipping two cleats along with extra adhesive tape in every Kleen Opener Left and Right Kit. The cleats are made of durable and lightweight nylon material to withstand the weather and elements it may be exposed to.
The nylon strap cleats come with a tube of Loctite Super Glue Gel. Keep out of contact with skin! Squeeze glue onto the flat base of both nylon cleats. The cleat should be mounted 12-20 inches from the side of the dumpster and facing up. Apply with some pressure for 30 seconds to let the adhesive bond. (Look at back of super glue packaging for manufacturer’s best practices.)
When deciding where to mount your cleat, make sure to note the length of your strap to ensure that it will reach the cleat. The cleat must be mounted facing up to allow the strap to become unhooked when the Kleen Opener lifts open or when getting dumped by waste haulers.
Once mounted simply drape the loop of the orange pull down strap over the cleat. The strap should then be resting out of the way of the waste hauler’s forks.
To use your Kleen Opener simply take the strap off of the loop and then operate as usual by lifting the strap 6-8 inches. After pulling down the orange strap to close your dumpster lid, place the end loop of the orange pull down strap over the hook of the cleat.
The design of this cleat ensures that our device will operate even if the user forgets to remove strap from cleat. If the user forgets to take the strap off of the cleat and goes to lift the strap it will release from the cleat since it is facing upwards, and the Kleen Opener will lift the lid.
Additionally, the nylon strap cleat does not affect your dumpster from being dumped. Since the Kleen Opener is not attached to the dumpster lid, if the strap were to get caught around the cleat during dumping, the dumpster lids will still open properly even if the Kleen Opener does not open.
We are excited about this upgrade to our product design. We hope that our customers enjoy the nylon strap cleats as an addition to the Kleen Opener Kit, no extra charge. And thank you to all our invaluable customers who continue to provide us with their feedback and experiences.
Have you received the nylon strap cleat with your purchase? Let us know what you think!
]]>Dumpsters may seem inconsequential, a trivial and unglamorous part of life, but they do pose a safety risk to those who use them. Whether you are a business or property owner, an employee, or a resident there are some things you need to know about dumpster safety.
It is just a fact of life that people and businesses create waste, so you need a way to properly dispose of it. Your property probably already has a couple of roll off bins or dumpsters where recycling and garbage are removed by waste haulers. These often big and bulky containers are super helpful for keeping trash out of your building but off your street.
There are 3 main things you need to know about dumpster safety: where to store a dumpster, how to operate a dumpster, and how to keep a dumpster clean.
Dumpsters, although varying in size, are big and bulky containers to have on your property. You may have asked yourself, where should I store a dumpster? Well, the simple answer is, where it functionally makes the most sense. And in order to figure that out there are some things to consider.
Dumpsters collect garbage and recycling, but they do not do it themselves…at least not in 2019. PEOPLE bring trash to a dumpster. Therefore, it is critical that your dumpster is accessible by the people who need to put trash into it.
For businesses and restaurants this could look like having your bins located within a reasonable walking distance from a back door. For a residential property or school campus you should make sure that you have enough dumpster locations to serve your entire community and that those locations are known to all.
If your dumpster location is not easily accessible by those who need to use it then you could end up with a buildup of garbage and recycling on the street, in smaller receptacles, in a parking lot, or against an outer wall of your building. If you want trash to go into the dumpster then people need to be able to get to the dumpster easily. If the process is inconvenient then people will look for shortcuts, so it is critical that you prevent this from happening by having accessible, clean, and efficient dumpster locations.
Garbage is not glamorous. And dumpsters are built more for functionality than they are for being pretty. It is up to your personal preference to decide who gets to see your dumpsters. But most businesses and housing structures will choose to place their dumpsters in the back. This is an area where only the people seeking access to a dumpster, like employees or residents, will see them. Far away from your shining storefront, residents, and customers.
Another way to control the look of your dumpsters is to store them in an enclosure. You may have seen these at your local restaurant or shopping center. They look like little huts in the back of a building or corner of a parking lot. Enclosures are meant to hide and contain trash from sight as they can blend into the buildings and landscaping seamlessly. You can DIY an enclosure or get a professional for bigger projects. Just make sure that you follow all local regulations regarding the placement, dimensions, and materials used for your enclosure.
Enclosures also help to keep rodents, birds, and other pests out of your trash. A properly used enclosure also deters passersby from using your dumpsters as their personal dumping ground.
A key factor of where to store your dumpster has to do with those who are picking it up. Correct dumpster placement is essential for your waste hauler. You will need to consult with your local waste hauler to make sure your dumpster is accessible by their specifications. They will be able to provide you with the requirements for how much space and clearance they need in order to properly reach your dumpster. Although there are general guidelines for this you will need to speak with your waste hauler for a definitive answer.
Have you ever found yourself having to juggle balancing the big lids open while hoisting your heavy bags up and into the bin? One of the most underestimated things about your dumpster is the safety risks and potential injury involved in its operation. The mixture of big bulky lids and heavy trash bags creates a concoction of chaos.
But fear not, we have some tips for you so that can minimize those risks and safely dispose of your trash and recycling.
One of the greatest challenges lies in the lids. Dumpster lids are big and heavy. And for shorter folks they can also be out of reach. Here are the best tips for opening and closing your dumpster lids safely and with ease:
Dumping heavy trash bags requires a lot of force and awkward postures/positions. There is a high risk of pulling muscles and hurting your back if you do not lift properly. Follow these steps to lift trash bags properly and reduce risk:
You can also reduce the amount of lifting necessary when taking out the trash by:
Dumpsters are full of waste that can be sharp, heavy, and full of germs. If you enter a dumpster you are putting yourself at risk of cuts and contamination. In fact, you should never extend your body over a dumpster. And do not compress or move items in a dumpster with any part of your body.
Your average solid waste dumpster is not meant for hazardous materials . All hazardous materials must be disposed of properly . Check your state and local regulations to determine the proper way to dispose of these hazardous materials.
Dumpsters have a reputation of being unglamorous and dirty. And to be fair, it is because often they are unglamorous and dirty. An important part of dumpster safety is making sure that you keep the area surrounding a dumpster clean.
For the safety of those taking out the trash, it is important to have unobstructed access to the dumpsters. This also means to avoid any tripping hazards surrounding your bins. Make sure the area around your dumpster is flat, clear, and free from tripping hazards.
It is also critical to make sure that rodents, birds, animals, and other pests are not getting into or residing in your dumpsters or the area surrounding. Make sure to notify management if there is a pest infestation. Keeping the area around your dumpster clean and clear will minimize pests from entering the area.
Do not overfill your dumpsters. It is important not to let trash pile up in your dumpsters because this can lead to debris spreading across your property and into our environment. Overfill can lead to overflow – and you do not want trash outside your dumpster. Overflow is unsightly, spreads odors and germs, and attracts animals and pests. Your dumpster lids should always be able to close firmly. This allows you to stay compliant with your local codes and allows your waste haulers to properly pick up your trash.
If overfill is a common occurrence, then that may be a sign that your building needs more dumpsters to manage the amount of trash. You can check in with your local waste hauler to see what options are available to you for getting an additional dumpster. But also check to make sure that all your dumpsters are accessible and being used. Sometimes dumpster lids are left open to make the process more convenient for the next time, so trash will pile into those dumpsters. The dumpsters with properly closed lids are then not utilized because it is inconvenient to have to lift the lid. Therefore, it is important to encourage those who are taking out the trash to utilize the bins properly by always opening and closing the dumpster lids safely.
If the odor, grease, and grime is just unbearable then you can clean your dumpster. Cleaning your dumpster is a great way to kill germs and bacteria that builds up and to reduce emanating odors. How often you should clean your dumpster will vary, but typically you would not need to clean it more than once a month.
One option would be to hire a professional cleaning company that specializes in dumpster cleaning to do the work for you. This is the safest way as cleaning your dumpster poses safety and environmental risks.
If you decide to try cleaning your dumpster yourself then makes sure to use eco-friendly and biodegradable cleaning agents. Runoff from the dumpster cleaning impacts the environment so it is critical that you are using natural products. You will want to clean your dumpster in a space where the water can flow away into the gutters. If the water is not able to runoff then the bacteria and smell will stay in the area.
Make sure that your dumpster is completely dry before putting trash into it. If you start putting garbage in the dumpster before it is completely dry, bacteria will spread and the odor will linger.
Congratulations! You have successfully made it through Dumpster Safety 101. You now have the knowledge, tips, and tricks to properly store a dumpster, safely operate a dumpster, and keep the dumpster area clean.
Feel free to reach out if you have any additional dumpster safety questions or tips not mentioned in this post.
]]>
If you own or manage a restaurant then you know all about health and food safety codes. There are a lot of regulations to keep up with to make sure your restaurant is healthy, safe, and compliant. And since you are in the business of food it makes sense to focus on the food.
But there is a common food safety code violation you might be overlooking – open dumpster lids.
Restaurants produce a lot of waste so there are specific regulations surrounding refuse (food waste, scraps, and garbage). The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) publishes a Food Code, their best scientifically backed advice for addressing food safety. Local state governments use the Food Code as a model for their own food safety rules. This article will focus on general regulations as suggested by the FDA Food Code 2017 but you can find your state’s rules and regulations here .
The FDA Food Code 2017 states that outside receptacles “used outside the food establishment shall be designed and constructed to have tight-fitting lids, doors, or covers” (§ 5-501.15 (A)). And while the dumpsters you order may come with tight-fitting lids, those lids are often not utilized properly by those who take out the trash. There are many reasons for this, the main one being that dumpster lids are heavy and bulky. It is difficult to hoist open the lids while holding trash. It is even harder to then safely lift the trash up and into the bin while holding the lid open. This process often comes with a lot of frustration, leading to the mishandling of dumpster lids – they are either being unsafely propped open or left open entirely.
Another reason that it is important for your dumpster lids to remain closed is so that they are “rodent-resistant” (§ 5-501.112). Open dumpster lids provide prime access for insects, birds, rodents, and other pests to get into your waste. This leads to health and safety issues because these pests can bring and spread disease.
Therefore the food code specifies that “live animals may not be allowed on the premises of a food establishment” (§6-501.115). This regulation applies to rodents and other pests, especially in areas where food contamination can occur ( there are exceptions for service animals, patrol dogs, and pets in certain dining areas) . It is important to not give these unwanted pests a reason to visit your establishment. Keeping dumpster lids closed will prohibit them from rummaging through your trash or making a home of your dumpsters.
The reality is that dumpster lids are left open or propped open because they are cumbersome to manage. The job of taking out the trash is a multi-step process with a lot of risk you might not be aware of, but those who take out the trash can assure you that they are very aware. First, you must set the trash down in order to use both hands to lift open the dirty and often hot lids. Then you must hoist the trash into the bin before shutting the heavy lids which could fall quickly leading to smashed fingers or limbs. And this if you can open the lid fully. If not, you are left with the task of juggling both holding open the big lid while trying to throw away the trash at the same time. All of this leads to an undesirable and frustrating task where shortcuts are often taken, leaving you vulnerable to code violations.
But this code violation is easy to avoid. You must simply provide a frustration-free and safe way for those who take out the trash to do their job properly and efficiently. The Kleen Opener is here to do just that.
Kleen Opener is a dumpster lid opener. It is designed to easily lift and close dumpster lids with a simple tug of a strap. Gone are the days of dreading garbage removal and code violations. With Kleen Opener there is now a safe and easy way to manage those bulky dumpster lids and properly dispose of waste. Once you experience Kleen Opener you will never want to deal with dangerous dumpster lids again, and you won’t have to!
Make the choice to #getkleen and stay compliant with your local codes. Order yours today!
]]>