Securing your dumpster: any tips?

Question

My dumpster arrived a few days ago and i've had a few issues.

In Colorado, garbage services do not want to take construction waste or many other things that you would expect a garbage company to take. So people get tempted to throw that in a half full dumpster. So far I have not had that issue but it could easily happen.

The worst is that people are dumpster diving for metal. I am concerned about liability.

Lastly, a neighbor saw my framing contractor unload 4 trucks of construction waste into my empty 30 yard dumpster which is now 3/4 full. He is being talked to now.

Does anyone have any tips on how to discourage any or all of these practices?

Andy Thompson · Answer

I usually let the guys dumpster dive for metal.  I don't give them permission outright, but I do avoid blindly throwing stuff over the rim if I see their truck still nearby.  Most often they come after hours anyway.  Personally, I prefer to see the material taken for recycling by those guys than hauled to a landfill.  The guys scrapping metal typically realize that they're trespassing and work quick so as to not get caught.  As long as you're not intentionally making the dumpster unnecessarily dangerous or alluring, liability is pretty low.

Even if you catch a dumper's license plate, you're not likely going to get the police to care and it'll cost you more in time lost to try to litigate. Other than that, your best bet is to shorten the amount of time the dumpster is around to a week or less.  If I'm doing a full construction trashout, I'll easily fill a 30yd dumpster in a day or two.  I did a whole house remodel (full kitchen, new paint, new hardwood, scraped popcorn ceilings throughout) where I staged all the trash in their vacant garage during the month.  When complete, I ordered the dumpster, filled it, and had it gone the next day.  I once had 3 laborers fill a small dumpster in 45 minutes while it was still connected to the waiting truck.

It probably cost an extra $50 in labor to move the trash twice.  A bag or two extra from a neighbor adds nothing overall, so I don't sweat it.  Heck, I've done it myself.  But if your framer is dropping truckloads of his own trash in your dumpster, you don't have a dumpster problem--you have a people problem.

Bill Coleman · Answer

Message understood. Thanks for everyone's comments. Luckily the framer was apologetic and agreed to pay for $200 of the cost. The guy across the street wanted to dump stuff in there and the framer said no. Then the guy ratted him out and still dumped his stuff in there.

I agree that residents are going to dump extra stuff in there and it's not usually a big deal.

I don't plan to have it there very long - maybe two weeks. And it is not on street but that's not so much of a deterrent. the guy across the street said that people were walking in the back of the house. And, there's a fence with a big beware of dog sign.

James Bell · Answer

Most of my rehabs are in lower income areas.  I've had problems for years and have some steps to try and cut down on this type of dumping.    I always post placards on the roll off in english and spanish that basically say they are being recorded and we will turn their face and licence plate number into the police department.  (I've used game cameras and turned in the violator, but the cops have never done anything)  I also attach a faux camera high on the structure and have it pointing right at the roll off.  I also tell the neighbors I'll pay them if they yell at the dumper or call the cops.  Some will take you up, some won't.  But it does get the word out in the neighborhood that there is some security.   Then sometimes no matter what, you get dumped on no matter what you do.  I have found getting the roll off in the back yard helps as well, especially if there is a fence you can close in.   It's theft, but most people don't see it that way.  Poor people have poor ways.

Marcus Brown · Answer

Its one of those things that will eventually happen. Just make sure you get the dumpster fill quickly so you can get rid of it. As far as your framer, I would deduct the dump fee cost from his check. That will teach him not to dump stuff from other job sites into your dumpster. Not sure how expensive it would be but a job site camera sometimes is useful in cases such as this.

Anson Young · Answer

Honestly I dont really get these issues.  Sure people will dump stuff in your dumpster, but your own contractor???  Thats just not right.  The cost or time it would take to secure these dumpsters from dumping or diving just isnt worth it.  You could post signs maybe to reduce liability, but after a few dozen rehabs a year, we know that we probably had 1-3 dumpsters that year MORE than we thought due to over dumping...

Matt R. · Answer

Yes the neighbors have a funny way of filling other peeps dumpsters. I had instructed my guy to put the smaller dumpster in the garage. For a couple reasons but the main reason was to hide the fact that work was being done on a vacant house. Sure enough he forgot and the neighborhood filled it up. So I had to order one more. If there is a way to get dumpster on private property that should help a bit.

Thanks,

Matt

Harvey Greenstein · Answer

never saw a way to secure a dumpster. best to get it filled quickly and get it out of there. Dumpsters have a way of collecting other peoples coaches, cabinets...

Securing your dumpster: any tips?

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