Commercial trash can in a park over-filled with litter which just encourages more trash to be thrown around it

If you think your facility is 100% litter-free with plenty of commercial trash cans in place, you might be in for a surprise

Whether you run a restaurant, store, shopping mall, outdoor park, or any other facility, you are likely no stranger to the problem of littering. Even if your litter is kept to a minimum, there will still be guests who scatter their trash. They may be lazy, busy, or just inattentive. Guests will litter for a variety of reasons, but the key is how facility and property managers handle it.

There are plenty of steps you can take to reduce or manage litter at your facility—here are 10 to get you started. You may not have the bandwidth or budget to implement all of these ideas immediately. However, by creating a specific action plan involving outdoor commercial trash cans, you can take steps to improve your facility and quickly notice improvements.

Position commercial trash cans for maximum use

1. Perform a litter audit of your business. The organization Keep America Beautiful recommends measuring your litter as an initial step to getting it under control. Tally the amount and types of litter found in and around your facility. This will help you understand what kind of trash to target, determining the design and location of commercial garbage cans at your facility. It will also affect your messaging as you try convincing guests to throw trash away instead of dropping it.

2. Properly space your outdoor commercial trash cans. It's a fact: guests litter more when they are further from commercial trash bins. Walt Disney set the example for trash can placement when designing Disneyland. Mandating that trash receptacles were no more than 25 feet apart, he kept Disneyland very clean—especially considering the number of guests that visited daily. When spacing out trash receptacles, strategize the locations as well. Guests frequently carry trash near entrances, fast food restaurants, and tables. These types of locations are a great place to start when designing trash receptacle placement at your facility.

3. Install plenty of trash cans. Besides placement, the amount of outdoor commercial garbage cans at your facility can also affect your litter rates. If trash cans are overflowing, crowded, or difficult to locate, guests will give up and leave their trash on the ground or a local bench. This is especially true for outdoor festivals and concerts where thousands flood a park that is usually quiet. Extra, high-capacity cans are essential for keeping these events clean and calm, reducing your cleanup after the event is finished. Of course, you also want to make sure capacity is not too large. If it's left idle for days or weeks at a time, it will begin to smell and make guests uncomfortable.

   Commercial trash cans don't have to be "trashy" and can blend into your landscape as just another amenity like a bench

4. Empty trash cans regularly. With today's biggie-sized product culture, commercial trash cans fill quickly. So make sure you have staff on hand to empty them periodically. As long as employees stick to a specific schedule, they should easily be able to maintain the receptacles before they are overflowing. Adjust the schedule when litter accumulates or if the bags are not full enough to replace. Train staff to empty the trash accurately and efficiently, ensuring the side access door is secured so that trash doesn't blow out if it gets windy.

5. Cover trash receptacles. Covering commercial trash cans can reduce the amount of accidental litter due to weather. There are numerous options for trash receptacle covers. The key is finding a cover that secures your trash while keeping it easy for guests to toss in their garbage. The bullet top and flat top are easy for guests to access, although they do not provide much protection from rain. Rain bonnet and hooded tops provide a cover so your garbage doesn't get soaked. Dome tops provide the ultimate protection from weather, but it does require guests to push the door of the receptacle open so keep it clean. Find the right trash bin cover for your facility and it can reduce your littering and make maintenance easier.

6. Include pet waste receptacles. If you run a park or allow dogs at your facility, pet waste receptacles are a must-have. About 40% of pet owners don't clean up their dog waste, even though it is toxic and considered a significant source of pollution by the EPA. Dog waste bags attached to a designated receptacle makes it easy for guests to clean up and dispose of their pet's waste.

7. Install smoking urns. The most frequently littered items are cigarette butts, with more than 2.2 million collected by the Ocean Conservancy International Coastal Cleanup in 2015. Studies also show that the presence of already littered cigarette butts can encourage more littering. Smoking urns can greatly reduce this type of littering at your facility. Ashtray tops are also very effective; these attach to your trash cans to encourage disposing of cigarettes, or those with trash.

8. Educate guests. A gentle reminder goes a long way in convincing guests to recycle and throw away trash. Place signage in areas where guests usually sit. The sign can be funny and lighthearted, or more economical-oriented, reminding them that the labor costs associated with cleanup actually increases their prices in the long-term. Besides signage, you can also organize community cleanup events or educational programs to help the community understand the cost of litter.

9. Maintain landscaping and overall property. If visitors feel like they are in a nice, welcoming environment, they are less likely to litter. Keep your landscaping, paint job, decorations, smell, and overall appearance as nice as possible. The presence of litter makes some people feel like it is acceptable so they will do it, which is why minimizing litter is essential. Include litter clean up as part of your regular maintenance schedule.

Adding commercial recycling containers shows you run a "green" minded business which will gain favor with customers and the public in general

10. Include Commercial Recycling Containers. Be a good corporate citizen. Position commercial recycling containers next to your commercial trash cans. It makes good commercial sense for your brand. Research shows consumers are extremely concerned about the environment and have a positive outlook toward "green" businesses. You can easily give the impression that your business is environmentally-oriented by just displaying a few commercial recycling containers about your grounds. It's that easy. But this step does go a long way - with your customers and keeping the planet clean in general.

Cleanliness is a must when planning your facility. Don't let your property become overrun with trash—take the right steps to make sure it has enough outdoor commercial trash cans to keep it clean and well maintained.

Click here for a handy guide on Commercial Trash Cans.