April 2025
Your building’s waste disposal system has heavy demands. On a daily basis residents dump their trash, recycling and organics waste down metal chutes that end in the trash room. Chutes get coated with waste from unbagged or improperly bagged items. Bacteria coats the chute walls from which odours emanate. Vermin, odour and bacteria from an unclean disposal room and waste disposal system can cause havoc through a high-rise building.
Maintaining a clean disposal room, area and chutes should not be overlooked.
Vermin, Pests and Hygiene
Unbagged household waste going down the trash chute and sitting in the dumpster is a breeding ground for bacteria, mould and pathogens. It attracts rodents and other pests that make their way throughout a building.
Establish a regular cleaning regimen for waste systems and spaces. Ensure chute walls are cleaned of grease and organic matter so as not to become a food source for pests.
Odour Control
Once waste bins and dumpsters are emptied, ensure they get cleaned using an industrial degreaser before being returned for use. Between cleanings, utilize products to keep equipment and spaces clean, hygienic and odour free.
Equipment Maintenance including Fire Safety Systems
Regular maintenance and cleaning of a building’s waste system and spaces facilitate identification and completion of necessary repairs before they become a problem.
The first noticeable sign of damage to equipment or systems may be a constant smell from the chute, garbage bin or trash room. These are indications of a larger concern. Grease, oil or residue may be damaging the waste equipment or systems. Immediately address the problem to avoid damage to floors and waterproofing systems.
A regular cleaning regimen provides long-term savings. It preserves and lengthens the life expectancy of waste disposal equipment. Emergency repair and replacement costs are reduced.
In the event of fire, a fire damper should close to prevent it from spreading up the chute to other floors. If a fire occurs in or expands to the trash room compactor, this damper can melt and be unable to close.
