As single-use plastics become a thing of the past for Canadians, condo owners and property managers need to adapt the way they handle garbage in their buildings. Typically, tenants use grocery store plastic bags to line their home trash bins, filling them up and tossing the entire bag down the building’s garbage chute. When people no longer have the option of using plastic bags to contain their garbage, they may opt to throw garbage down the chute unbagged, creating a host of problems for the building.

This continuous practice could cause major build-up on the walls of the chutes leading into the compactor, a strain on the internal mechanisms, and increased odour, as well as creating a breeding ground for insects and an overflow space that will eventually attract rodents. Safety could also become an alarming issue, with increased risk of fire and higher health risks for the staff.

With disposable grocery bags becoming a thing of the past, how can you keep your garbage chute clean and the building safer for your tenants?

“Managing a building is an enormous responsibility and consulting a professional can take some of the stress off your shoulders,” says Andrew De Bartolo, division lead at Metro Jet Wash. “Knowing you have expert help to give your tenants the best living experience you can makes such a big difference.”

While many buildings have “wash-down systems,” De Bartolo says, these systems are superficial and may hold you over by spraying a deodorizer and a degreaser down the chute, but they offer little benefit to the compactor itself. Your chute and compactor need focused, professional attention, and a proactive maintenance approach to save time and money in the long run. High-pressure water and manual scraping is the most effective way to clean waste equipment.

Established in 2003, Metro Jet Wash specializes in offering expert solutions for property managers, assisting them with maintenance programs that keep your equipment clean and smelling good. You won’t have happy tenants if the issues with your chute and compactor mean that your equipment causes causing odours and is unclean.

A maintenance plan entails hiring a professional to keep your equipment clean, ensuring it stays in good working order while spotting potential issues you can avoid or plan ahead for, and adjusting your budget. “It really makes a difference when these expensive pieces of equipment are cleaned regularly,” De Bartolo says.

Prioritizing the maintenance of your chute and compactor lets your tenants know that you value your property, your equipment, and the quality of life for the residents in the building. Pride in your building spreads, and when it’s important to you, it will be important to them, too.

With single-use plastics disappearing, property managers need a plan to address their waste equipment cleaning. Metro Jet Wash is a one-stop shop in property maintenance solutions, offering compactor and chute cleaning, odour control systems, and professional guidance as part of their long list of expert services.

For more information about Metro Jet Wash and how they can help, please visit their website.