Topic: How has anyone else dealt with constant dumping and overfilling in a shared dumpster?

How has anyone else dealt with constant dumping and overfilling in a shared development dumpster? People drop off mattress, couches, EVERYTHING!! They stack it along side the dumpster and I feel like I'm constantly picking up. When I'm able to catch someone, warnings and/or fines are issued -- however I can be the "dumpster monitor" 24-7. The only answer I'm coming up with is it's the nature of the beast, get used to it? Sigh.

As a former on site person and an apartment dweller, I would like to see properties either make a deal with a junk removal company so the residents can get a cheaper rate, or, maybe once a month, get a roll off and have large item disposal day. Maybe the residents pay a fee based on what they are disposing to help cover the cost.

Cameras? We have cameras in our building that face the dumpsters so we can usually see who is dumping/put in large furniture in or next to. We have signs posted everywhere and it clearly states that if we see you on camera putting that in there we charge them for it. That pretty much eliminated it about 90%

Also ask residents to get involved. Maybe offer a reward program to them if they give you license plate number, capture a picture, give a description to catch the culprits. A resident spy program.

We started with fake cameras, worked for a while. Even ran thermostat wire to it to help make it look like it’s being used

Get a camera, a motion cencered one with a light, if funds are low get one with an SD card.

Motion detection cameras and let them know you can see them.
Are u in a gated area/community?
Perhaps fence the area and they get access with thier keycode

For me it’s usually people who don’t even live in the community. A gate isn’t an option because we’re pretty small. Even if I catch them on camera PD doesn’t do anything so it’s a lose lose. I just have to deal with it and code the pricey hauling bills unfortunately. But most owners understand and don’t blame the PM.

I wish we had cameras!

Yes, it’s a huge problem!!

Install camera
Fine the people
If they are moving charge account
If they don’t pay
Send to collection
And add to their
Resident file
Also make photos

My guess would be that people don't realize you get charged more for this, particularly if they have always lived in apartments. I lived in a complex once that took the water bill and split it out equally among the residents. I wonder if you could institute something like this for trash?

We bill trash and pest control out to our residents.

But probably a fixed amount. I'm suggesting fluctuate the amount based on the actual cost each month

Sarah Andrews yes, a flat rate, but we have a 30 yard dumpster we keep for the heavy stuff. Appliances, mattresses etc.

This might work for some properties. One of mine has room for a 30 yard dumpster which we empty once a month. My other 3 properties also use it for their large items, mattresses, old appliances, heavy trash outs, etc. Each month a different property pays for it.

Valet trash service has helped us tremendously!! Plus it makes ancillary income for the property. Cameras are worthless unless you live in an area where police will file charges for trespass. Most of my additional trash comes from off site.

Have your hunk man take away the sofas and mattresses for $50 rather than an overage charge from your trash company.

I just think it may personally be a communication issue. When I moved into an apartment I had no idea this wasnt allowed because every week I saw someone else leaving their stuff so I just assumed that was normal and I even did it myself. When you live in a house you take your large items to the curb and hope that someone in your neighborhood picks them up, you dont get that in an apartment so people probably dont know what they are supposed to do with their large items. Some people also dont have the strength to get the item up and over their heads to make it into the dumpster. I think simple communication is key and I like the idea of telling residents there is a junk removal service 1x a month. Sounds like a great solution.

www.greenwaywaste.com/our-services Look into this service, it has helped my compactor issues tremendously.

Yes, cameras. We installed them on the outside of our buildings and facing our dumpsters. There are two exits from our parking lot & we recently had license plate cameras installed that capture the plate number on the way out. This way we have video of a dumping incident and can follow them on camera leaving and capture the plate number to report to the police. Just make sure your property has the necessary signage indicating Property Under 24 hour Survelliance.

We are a tiny complex. There are 15 houses on a single street behind the complex and they are not part of our property. Our streets are an easement for that back area. I made flyers for each of the houses behind us and posted it on each house. I also emailed each Property Management office in every realty office in town so they would know exactly what was said to their tenants.

In the flyer, I explained why they shouldn't toss their mattresses and broken furniture in the dumpsters. The last sentence was informing them that these were for my apartments only. I made the same offer to them as I did my tenants for removing such items.

I know which of my tenants who are moving mattresses. We have to use a forklift to move their furniture upstairs. We have narrow, spiral staircases in our townhouses. I let each of my tenants know that if they have something large, bulky or just needs to go to the landfill and won't fit in the dumpsters that I will gladly take it in my pickup truck. All it costs the tenant is a breakfast burrito and a can of soda.