A Snapshot on Snapshot Charges

A Snapshot on Snapshot Charges

Figure 1 – Snapshot on Left; Ideal Dumpster on Right

Overflowing waste bins and dumpsters cost you money each and every time they are picked up by your waste hauler.

A dumpster can overflow for a number of reasons. Most commonly, there is simply more trash than expected because of an increase in business and the hauler cannot get to you before the overflow occurs. Other times, your hauler may miss a scheduled pick-up because a customer parked inappropriately and blocked the trash corral.

The split image in figure 1 depicts a dumpster in both ideal state and in a state of overflow. The right-hand frame is the hauler’s expectation for the appearance of your dumpster—this is what they want your dumpster to look like each and every time they visit for their scheduled trash pickup. Often, however, your dumpster is likely to look like the overflowing dumpster on the left. When this happens, your hauler will photograph the overflow and charge you a very expensive additional fee—a “snapshot charge.”

Figure 2 - Large "Snapshot" Overflow

Waste haulers justify snapshots by claiming that trash stops are supposed to be routine and mechanical. 

An overflow, turns the stop into a manual pickup according to waste haulers, because the driver must get out of the truck and manually pick up the trash—in other words, they claim that an overflow causes them to spend more time spent at your stop, which means higher costs to you (see Figure 2). Additionally, haulers claim that even though their trucks compact trash, the overflow fills the truck faster causing them to make additional stops at the landfill. Therefore, it is prudent for business owners to take measures to prevent overflows and avoid their associated fees.

Global Trash Solutions can analyze your trash and suggest some simple techniques to help you avoid snapshots and other unnecessary fees. Call Global Trash Solutions at (866) 760-8194 or visit our website at www.globaltrashsolutions.com and you can learn how GTS can save you money by eliminating these fees entirely!

What Happens When Waste Management Loses a Billion Dollar Contract?

Do you live in an area where the city government decides what hauler you must use for waste, recycling, or organic waste disposal? Have you ever been curious about how your city chooses the hauler you are required to use, or dissatisfied with their decision?

On Monday, August 18, 2014, Waste Management filed a lawsuit against the City of Oakland, CA, where they formerly held a ten year agreement to collect all of the city’s residential waste and recyclables. Waste Management (WM) sued the city because they lost the 1 billion dollar contract to a local company, California Waste Solutions, who WM’s legal team claims lack the infrastructure and stability to service the City of Oakland. However, Rebecca Kaplan, Councilwoman for the City of Oakland, said she and her associates on the city council voted 7-1 in favor of California Waste Solutions because they offered residents the best deal. California Waste Solutions offered to charge residents nearly $7.00 less than what WM offered in their proposal, which would collectively save residents over $200 Million, said Kaplan. Waste Management's proposal would have almost doubled the residents of Oakland were formerly paying for service.

GlobalTrash Solutions (GTS) is no stranger to the controversy surrounding city hauling agreements (AKA "franchise agreements.”) As consultants, we help our clients to navigate the sometimes murky waters of franchise agreements, and make sure haulers are playing by the rules. We pride ourselves on overriding franchise agreements on a number of occasions for reasons we cannot disclose to the public. However, we see these long term agreements as a challenge and an opportunity for our clients to save money in an area where they may have felt that their "hands were tied." 

GTS is not a waste hauler, but we hold haulers accountable by auditing our client's expenses and processes to ensure they are getting the most efficient and economical trash service. To learn more about our program, please call us at (866) 760-8194.