Shred It! Don’t Put Personal Information in Your Dumpster

Shred It! Don't Put Personal Information in Your Dumpster
Shred It! Don’t Put Personal Information in Your Dumpster

Identity theft is a big and thriving business. In addition to competing against other companies in your industry, you must be vigilant about properly destroying personal information and sensitive documents. DJ Products can help you save money, prevent injuries to employees, and maximize manpower with products like our battery-powered dumpster moving equipment. If you are throwing away any documents containing personal information, shred it properly first.

Old tax forms were left in open dumpster

The East Bay area NBC affiliate reports a Fremont certified public accountant assumed the documents placed in a dumpster near his office were going to be burned by the waste management company. The tax forms containing personal information and Social Security numbers were left fully intact in the open dumpster for several days prior to being discovered.

The local CPA, Ed Robinson, is retiring and claims he didn’t know the documents needed to be shredded prior to being placed in the unlocked bin. Robinson says he will pay for a company to shred the papers.

Dumpster diving to obtain sensitive information

While most companies would not be so negligent as to leave the personal tax information of customers or employees in an open dumpster, they must be ever-vigilant about proper disposal of any documents containing sensitive information.

Rodents and other pests are constantly looking for ways to enter homes or businesses. The same is true of the vermin who would like to steal credit card numbers of customers or other confidential information from your company. Always shred before placing sensitive documents in a dumpster.

Trash-related injuries are also the #1 risk for workers. Dumpster moving equipment from DJ Products can improve trash room efficiency and lower your Experience Modification Rate (EMR). Contact us for more information.

Tips for Keeping Your Dumpster Clean and Pest-Free

It's Natural for Trash to Smell. We Have Some Tips to Protect Against the Pests it May Attract.
It’s Natural for Trash to Smell. We Have Some Tips to Protect Against the Pests it May Attract.

Garbage attracts roaches, rodents, and other pests. You can significantly reduce your risk of an infestation with proper dumpster management and by keeping dumpster areas clean.

You should keep dumpsters at least 50 feet away from your business, but most pest control professionals recommend placing dumpsters 100 feet or more away from the nearest entry door. Many businesses don’t do this because manually moving trash containers is strenuous work and takes a lot of time.

Dumpster moving equipment

Proper trash management requires frequent removal of trash from buildings. WasteCaddy trash container movers use a 36 Volt 3 battery system to move dumpsters weighing up to 2,000 lbs. A WasteCaddy is like having another employee without the associated costs.

Additionally, waste container movers reduce the likelihood of workplace injuries. Manually moving trash containers causes back strains, shoulder injuries, and falls. Powered tugs maneuver in tight spaces, work on inclines, and on snow or ice.

Lids keep pests out

Be sure your dumpsters have lids that function and seal correctly. If lids become damaged, have them repaired or replaced promptly. Small pests can easily fit under bent lids. Larger pests maneuver lids open when the mechanisms designed to keep them closed are broken.

Clean trash bins regularly

Powered dumpster moving equipment saves money and time. Your staff will have more time to eliminate smells by cleaning dumpsters. Also, you could hire a professional dumpster cleaning service.

Dumpster moving equipment can save money on pest control services, workers comp claims, and eliminate much of the stress associated with garbage management. Contact DJ Products to speak with one of our friendly and knowledgeable sales engineers.

Winn Companies Recognizes the WasteCaddy Dumpster Mover as a Best Practice to Reduce Injuries.

June 1, 2017 – Minneapolis, MN – WinnCompanies, the nation’s fifth largest multi-family property management company, announced today that they have successfully completed field testing for the WasteCaddy Dumpster mover, and that the company considers the use of WasteCaddy to be best practice for safety.

“The WasteCaddy has proven to be a valuable tool in reducing the risk of injury for our maintenance employees.” said John Tarrant, Vice President of Procurement & Sustainability at WinnCompanies. “The feedback we have received from the properties using the WasteCaddy to move trash dumpsters has been overwhelmingly positive.”

WinnCompanies have a strong commitment to employee safety, and the battery-powered WasteCaddy will become part of WinnCompanies industry-recognized “WinnSafe” program.

“We are pleased to have the opportunity to work with WinnCompanies.” said Jeff Berg, President of DJ Products, manufacturer of the WasteCaddy. “The trash room is the most dangerous area in a multi-family property, and this product continues to prove itself as a best practice for eliminating injuries in the trash room.” Jeff went on to say that in order to reduce risk, a number of leading property management companies have modified their trash room policy to state that at least two employees are required to move dumpsters, empty or full. “The challenge here is that while requiring two employees is certain to reduce injuries, it has a negative impact on maintenance staff efficiency. The WasteCaddy allows one employee or any age, size or gender to efficiently move dumpsters by themselves. It is a huge boost to efficiency.”

DJ Products will be exhibiting at the National Apartment Association Show in Atlanta in June 21 to 24.

About WinnCompanies WinnCompanies is an award-winning national property development and management company dedicated to the highest standards of excellence. WinnCompanies acquires, develops and manages affordable, senior, mixed-income, market-rate, military and commercial properties through its three divisions: WinnDevelopment, WinnResidential and WinnMilitary. Founded in 1971 and now operating in 22 states and the District of Columbia, WinnCompanies is the fifth largest multi-family housing manager, the largest manager of affordable housing, and the second largest manager military housing in the United States.

About DJ Products

DJ Products markets and manufactures battery powered tugs and pushers that move heavy loads on wheels. For more information about the WasteCaddy dumpster mover or any of DJ Products other equipment, visit them at www.djproducts.com or call 1-800-686-2651.

Dumpster Safety – Tips Your Staff Should Know

Safety Is Key.
Safety Is Key.

Do you think the trash room is a relatively low-risk area? Over a five-year period, one school district in Washington state reported a loss of more than 2,000 work days to dumpster- and recycling-related injuries at a cost of $300,000.

Fortunately, there are some common-sense steps you can take to reduce the risk of costly and painful injuries incurred in the trash room.

Dumpster and Compactor Safety Tips

  • No one should ever enter a dumpster or compactor. Materials should be broken down before going in a dumpster, and a long stick should be used to clear congestion in a compactor.
  • Areas immediately surrounding dumpsters and compactors should be clutter-free.
  • The compactor door should be securely closed before operating and should remain closed until the machine is turned off.
  • Hazardous waste should never go into a dumpster or compactor. Contact your local environmental agency for instructions on appropriate disposal methods.
  • Compactors should be serviced only by authorized personnel after completing lockout-tagout procedures.
  • Use caution opening and closing dumpster lids to avoid pinching fingers and hands.
  • Employees should inform their supervisor immediately if they see evidence of animals or other pests around the dumpster. Under no circumstances should they attempt to handle the problem themselves.
  • In case of a dumpster fire, call 911.

Promote Trash Room Safety with the WasteCaddy Dumpster Mover

Pushing and pulling heavy dumpsters from the trash room to the pick-up spot can result in serious injuries that are hard to heal. Contact us to learn why our WasteCaddy dumpster mover from DJ Products is an efficient and cost-effective way to improve workplace safety.

Technology and Trash Removal: Making Dumpsters “Smart”

Technology is Making Dumpster "Smart"
Check It Out! Technology is Making Dumpster “Smart”

Today’s technology has given us smart phones, smart appliances and … smart dumpsters? Here’s how one forward-thinking company developed an ingenious solution to “garbage watching.”

Trash Removal in the Digital Age

In 1991, long before the Internet of Things was on anyone’s radar, OnePlus Systems saw technology as an answer to the problem of smelly, overflowing dumpsters. Their first model was a rudimentary wired pressure sensor that alerted a client’s operations department as well as their waste removal company that a pick-up was needed.

The next step included integration of a web-based platform to provide reporting and leverage waste data. In 2015, private equity company Parker Gale recognized the system’s potential and purchased OnePlus along with SmartBin, a Dublin, Ireland-based manufacturer of intelligent waste disposal solutions.

Under Parker Gale’s direction, the original system began using SmartBin’s wireless ultrasonic fill-level sensors and robust routing and analysis software. Thanks to these “smart” devices and their sophisticated platform, clients receive real-time data and visual tracking of non-compacting dumpsters.

Benefits of Smart Dumpsters

• Waste removal companies get optimized routing so they can focus the workload on full containers.

• Collected data shows that a smart dumpster can reduce waste removal expenses by up to 50 percent.

• Clients can allocate labor to higher priority jobs.

Reduce Expenses and Workplace Injuries with a Dumpster Puller from DJ Products

Are your employees constantly struggling with maneuvering heavy dumpsters in the workplace? Our best-selling WasteCaddyLite is designed to safely transport full dumpsters weighing up to 2,000 pounds.

Call 800.686.2651 or visit our website to find out which battery-powered dumpster puller is the best solution for your workplace.

Dumpster or Compactor – The Pros and Cons

Before Making a Decision, It's ALWAYS Important to Consider the Pros and Cons.
Before Making a Decision, It’s ALWAYS Important to Consider the Pros and Cons.

Proper trash room maintenance keeps your workplace clean and reduces the risk of injury. Is a dumpster or compactor best suited for your needs? Here’s a look at the pros and cons of each to help you choose the right solution for your application.

Dumpsters and Compactors: What’s the Difference

  • Dumpsters are large metal containers with volumes ranging from 10-yards to 30-yards. They are practical for a wide range of both household and commercial refuse and they are generally emptied by a trash hauling service that picks up every one to two weeks.
  • Trash compactors come in indoor and outdoor models. Thanks to the compressing action they can hold a greater volume of trash, but they’re not recommended for disposal of items such as oils, wood products, electronic items and toxic materials.

Which One Is Right for You?

  • If your business generates a lot of trash on a daily basis and your current garbage containers are being overfilled, a compactor is better for controlling the volume.
  • Dumpsters don’t seal tightly, which means they tend to attract rodents and other pests.
  • How does your trash removal service calculate charges? If it’s by the pickup, a compactor could save you a significant amount of money, but if it’s by the pound, it could be a more expensive option.

Put Safety First with the WasteCaddy from DJ Products

Now that you’ve selected the right container, make another choice for trash room safety. Our best-selling WasteCaddy can transport loaded dumpsters weighing up to 5,000 pounds, preventing the need for manual pushing and pulling.

Visit our website for more information.

Dumpster Safety Tips for Workplace Maintenance Staff

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The WasteCaddy Dumpster Mover

Have you educated your maintenance staff on proper safety procedures to be followed in the trash room? The Environmental Health and Safety Office of Emory University in Atlanta has “toolbox training” guides with valuable tips on trash room and dumpster safety.

Dumpster Safety

  • Keep the area immediately around the dumpster clear of boxes, papers and other debris.
  • Never climb into a dumpster or use your feet and hands to move items inside.
  • Many injuries occur when hands and fingers get caught in the dumpster lid. When opening or closing the lid, always take care to make sure hands and fingers are kept away from “pinch points.”
  • Hazardous waste should never be placed in a solid waste dumpster. Dispose of all hazardous waste using appropriate methods.
  • If a fire starts, don’t attempt to extinguish it yourself. Call the fire department immediately.

Trash Room Safety

  • Employees should be fully trained before operating the compactor.
  • Never place any body parts inside the hopper. When necessary, use a long stick to move items.
  • Close the compactor door securely before operating, and never open the door while the compactor is running.
  • Only trained personnel such as a manufacturer service person should conduct maintenance and repairs on the compactor. Complete lock-out-tag-out (LOTO) steps before performing maintenance.

Improve Trash Room Safety with a Dumpster Pusher from DJ Products

Maneuvering heavy dumpsters around tight corners and up and down inclines creates a serious injury risk. Visit our website for information about our WasteCaddyLite, a battery-powered dumpster pusher that easily moves dumpsters across all types of surfaces and greatly reduces workplace injuries.

Minimize Lifting Injuries with Dumpster Movers

Prevent Accidents From Happening!
Prevent Accidents From Happening!

How much time and money did workplace injuries cost you over the past year? According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than one-third of injuries involving lost time were the result of lifting.

Shoulder and back injuries are most often caused by overexertion and repetitive motion strain. Using a dumpster mover from DJ Products reduces injuries by eliminating these risk factors.

Do You Have Lifting “Best Practices” in Place?

There are currently no federal regulations for lifting standards, so it’s up to you to establish safety criteria for your workplace. The National Institute for Occupational Safety has created a “lifting equation” based on weight of the load, distance traveled by the lift, and physical motions of the employee.

Difficult Nature of Lifting Injuries

Most back injuries, such as pulled muscles or fractured vertebrae, occur to the lower spine. Recovery can take months, and it may involve surgery and physical therapy. Even with treatment, back injuries can result in chronic pain.

While you have a legal duty to maintain a safe workplace, negligence is not a requirement for filing a workers compensation claim. This fact increases the need to be proactive regarding injury prevention.

Maintain Efficiency and Reduce Injury Claims

Our popular WasteCaddy dumpster mover lets a single employee of any size, age and gender move loads of up to 5,000 pounds. The pivoting fifth wheel arm makes it easy to maneuver bulky dumpsters around corners and through narrow passages.

We have a full line of battery-powered dumpster movers to fit your needs. Visit our website and let our sales engineers help you find the best solution for you workplace.

A Philadelphia Bar Sparks a Dumpster War

DJ Products' Dumpster Caddy Makes Moving Easy
DJ Products’ Dumpster Caddy Makes Moving Easy

Residents and business owners on South Street in Philadelphia were excited this summer at the prospect of a new business coming to town. The new MilkBoy South Street location was supposed to be celebrated as a new hot spot for the up and coming bar scene in the area, but a dumpster seems to be a point of contention between the owners and those living and working around it.

Dumpster Problems

The placement of a dumpster on an otherwise dumpster-free street has drawn a lot of negative attention to the new MilkBoy location. According to city ordinances, it’s legal to have the dumpster where it sits, but it continues to be an eyesore for those who have to look at it every day. Residents and other business owners say that it destroys the aesthetic of the area and causes people to dump trash near it. Someone has even gone so far as to spray paint graffiti on the dumpster.

How It Could Have Been Solved

Moving a dumpster by yourself can be difficult enough with wheels, and darn near impossible if it doesn’t. With a specialized piece of equipment, such as the WasteCaddy dumpster mover, the bar owners could easily move their dumpster wherever they need it to be. Certain times of the day might call for the dumpster to be in a higher visibility area, but a dumpster mover could be used to place it somewhere out of sight when it’s not in use.

To learn more about our WasteCaddy dumpster mover, get in touch with DJ products at 1-800-686-2651.

Property Managers Now Look More Like Asset Managers

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Expanding Role Of Managers

Has the decision-making process changed in recent years at your property? Condo, apartment, and other rental property managers have expanding roles these days — shifting from the traditional operations role to growing strategic positions.

Property managers have more and more in common with asset managers, says Lori Burger, president of the Institute of Real Estate Management.

The New Look of Property Management

Property managers are still largely in charge of day-to-day operations. Core functions will always include ongoing tasks including the execution of waste collection, landscaping, and monthly expenses.

The difference Burger points out is that property managers now have a voice in strategy. They can provide boots-on-the-ground recommendations to improve a property’s financial outlook.

The asset management style of property manager includes:

  • Use of software and data to provide financial reports and analysis
  • Constructing or providing input for long-term business models
  • Creating new policies to drive financial growth

In other words, property managers should be striving to make better financial decisions — not just execute the status quo.

For example, for waste management a property manager would typically serve as contact point and bill payer. Now the role may include evaluating and replacing the current system entirely. Bring in dumpster moving tugs to allow any employee to easily maneuver the equipment across the property, and management may be able to reduce staff hours or streamline the process with less labor, fewer injuries and incidents, and greater profitability in the end.

Consider whether your property group’s bottom line can benefit from strategic initiatives overseen by the property manager. A great first step: ergonomic equipment solutions such as dumpster moving tugs from DJProducts.com.