March 5, 2018

This piece is presented by Novak Sanitary Services.

Winter isn’t done with us yet. And late-season snows can be the hardest on your trash collector.

“The end of the season brings wet, heavy snow and ice, and that can be hazardous to our team,” said Bob Novak of Novak Sanitary Services. “We really appreciate it when businesses take this into consideration and do their part to help us help them.”

Businesses, you can do your part by following a few easy guidelines.

 Leave space

Trucks need space, and it gets crowded quick when snow piles up. Make sure your road is plowed and heavily sanded.

“Our trucks will pack snow into ice, which creates a safety hazard for your employees, our employees and everyone walking or traveling on these roads,” Novak said.

 Create access, be patient

Make sure your garbage and recycling containers are shoveled out the night before your collection day and not blocked by parked vehicles. Unless there are restrictions or agreements in regard to time, garbage and recycle pickup could vary from 6 a.m. until 6 p.m. on your collection day.

“You may notice that your garbage or recycling is picked up about the same time every week,” Novak said. “Please understand that situational changes in weather conditions, crew assignment and equipment problems can create your pickup to be earlier or later in the day.” 

Clear snow

Please don’t block your dumpster area with excess snow. Remove snow and use sand heavily to create traction. This includes the gates, inside the enclosure and the path leading to it.

“Excess snow will prevent both your employees and ours from accessing the containment area,” Novak said. “If your containers are stuck in snow or ice or not accessible, we may not be able to provide service and will have to schedule it for a later date.”

If your enclosure has doors with pins or rods that insert into the ground, they can freeze and prevent access to the dumpster. Placing salt around them helps prevent this.

Avoid frozen garbage

Please bag garbage and close the container lids. Open lids allow snow and rain to collect in the containers. Exposed wet items will freeze to the dumpster.

“That makes it difficult for our drivers to safely empty your frozen dumpster,” Novak said. “Unbagged trash also can lead to waste being left behind after pickup.”

If you have questions, visit novaksanitary.com. Thanks for helping your haulers get through the last weeks of winter!