Compressed Natural Gas Fuel (CNG): Why Haulers Are Using It and How It May Affect Your Business

Have you ever wondered how much diesel fuel it must take to power all of the garbage trucks that run residential and commercial routes throughout the United States? Have you considered how these emissions effect the amount of smog in urban areas, and the overall air quality? Have you paid exorbitant fuel surcharges to waste hauling companies to offset their cost as diesel prices trend upward?

It may interest you to learn that many garbage truck fleets in both the public and private sector are embracing compressed natural gas (CNG) as an alternative fuel source to diesel. In fact, as of June 2014, CNG was used as the primary fuel source for approximately 10% of the nation's garbage truck fleet, with more and more companies investing in CNG trucks as their diesel trucks age and become costly to maintain. Many of the big names in the hauling industry are converting to CNG fueled trucks for environmental and long-term financial reasons, including Houston-based Waste Management, Jacksonville-based Advanced Disposal (the largest privately held hauling company in the US) and Longwood, FL based Waste Pro. In 2012, Waste Management announced that over the next five years it planned to purchase 80% of CNG powered trucks, and by 2017 to have over 50% of their fleet powered by CNG.

Although CNG trucks initially cost more per unit than traditional diesel trucks, they save each hauler approximately $27,000.00 annually per year in fuel costs, which make them attractive for financial reasons. CNG is also a greener alternative to diesel fuel, cutting down the use of 8,000 gallons of diesel fuel annually per truck. There is no risk of fuel leaks, as CNG evaporates when it leaves the fuel chamber, and it cuts down on emissions by roughly 50%.  The recent phenomenon of "fracking," or deriving natural gas from deposits in shale, has provided an abundant supply of CNG, which in turn has contributed to the growing reputation of CNG as the preferred fossil fuel for many trucking companies across a variety of different industries. CNG powered trucks have also been noted as being quieter and less costly to maintain than their diesel-fueled counterparts.

So, with the offset in fuel costs to haulers caused by this mass exodus from diesel-fueled trucks to their less expensive cousins, have you seen your hauling costs dropping? Practically every business would answer with a resounding "no." In our experience, we have found most of the customers who sign on with us pay a minimum of 25% in fuel or other surcharges, and if not, this cost is built into their existing price. That is why Global Trash Solutions is leading the way for many businesses in using our combined purchasing power and expertise to cut the expenses of companies like McDonald's, Panera Bread, Burger King, and many others. Please call us today at (866) 760-8194 for information about how we can help you get the best price available for trash and recycling service.          

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How Can a Commercial Trash Compactor Benefit My Business?

Do you own a business that pays what seems to be an excessive amount for trash service? Have your Facility Managers mentioned the labor costs associated with handling the trash at your locations? Do you know how much in payroll is dedicated to trash-related maintenance at your locations each quarter? Have you ever been mystified by what seems to be "disappearing" inventory, or noticed a correlation between your merchandise cost and the number of trips made to the dumpster each day by your staff?

 Practically every retail outlet in the country has faced at least one of the above challenges at some point in the past, or if they have not had to address them yet, they will be soon. You may have invested in expensive security systems aimed at reducing shrinkage and theft to keep your inventory from "disappearing," but still face problems with inventory that is not accounted for. The rising costs of diesel fuel, government involvement in the private hauling industry, and other factors that affect the rate or trash removal have caused the price of garbage service to rise dramatically over the last few years. As a business owner, you may feel that these issues are largely beyond your sphere of influence, and you may be right.

The consulting team at Global Trash Solutions (GTS) work with hundreds of Fortune 500 retail chain store operators, so we are very familiar with the above challenges. We have developed solutions and systems aimed at addressing each one. For starters, many of the businesses who seek our help can benefit from one of our outdoor commercial trash compactors, which reduce hauling costs by as much as 50% and eliminate the need for multiple open-top dumpsters. They also reduce odor and the possibility of extra bags on the ground on an especially busy day. Some of our clients prefer an indoor model, such as the GTS 2000 which can reduce the number of trips to the dumpster, therefore cutting back on the opportunity for theft while reducing the required container size and pick-up frequency. This, in turn, reduces monthly trash costs by up to 70%.

Whatever trash problems you may face as a business owner, GTS has the experience and expertise to develop a solution specifically tailored to meet your individual needs. Please call us today at (866) 760-8194 for a free consultation.

How do I Keep my Businesses Garbage Costs from Increasing?

Do you own a business that generates enough refuse to make collection of garbage and recyclables a line item on your P & L statement worth investigating? Have you ever noticed that, over time, your trash and recycling collection price has been raised by a considerable amount - maybe even as much as 40-50% over the years? Have various recurring surcharges suddenly made appearances on your monthly garbage statement, like rude uninvited dinner guests who expect you to feed them each month, asking only for chuck burgers at first, but demanding garnished prime filet mignon and lobster tails before the year is over?  Do you find yourself frustrated because these charges were never discussed with you when you set up service? Have you been charged an alleged "fuel surcharge" that only seems to go up, even when diesel prices go down?

If you answered "yes" to any or all of the above questions, consider yourself the average commercial customer to the average waste hauling company in the United States. Almost without exception, hauling companies' standard business practice is to get their customer in the door at a rate that appears at first to be fair, and then gradually increasing their prices or tacking on a laundry list of surcharges that cause their "out the door" price to increase substantially over time. Unless you have worked for one of these companies, it is almost impossible to avoid overpaying by some amount, because these practices are par for the course for every major hauler in the US (and most of the minor ones, too).

If you are looking for help reducing your businesses waste and recycling expenses, look no further - Global Trash Solutions guarantees that your business will save at minimum 10% on waste and recycling services (although our average savings per client hovers around 38%.) GTS has enrolled over 1,000 new businesses in our savings program in the past 18 months alone. GTS has the relationships and expertise to lower your expenses and keep them low. We also offer a single point of contact for garbage and recycling service who actually answers the phone when you call, which we feel is rare in this day and age. Our average turnaround time for service-related issues is less than 24-hours. The personal level of service we deliver and the positive financial impact we have had on our clients are two of the main reasons we are the fastest growing Waste Consulting Firm in the US. Please call us today so we can protect you from the financial pitfalls of dealing directly with garbage companies. Even if you think you are getting a great deal, please realize that we have over a 90% success rate in saving those who enroll with us at least 10%. GTS invites you to join our clients in saving millions of dollars each year on trash and recycling service. Please call us today to find out how we can help your business maximize it's profits.     

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How Can I Save Money on Garbage Service for my Business in Washington State?

Have you ever wondered why your trash bill each month is equal to - or more than - your car payment? Have you seen several different garbage trucks on the street, but been told by the city or municipality you conduct business in that because of an agreement that exists between the city and a hauler, you must use a certain company and their seemingly exorbitant pricing structure? Have you thought to yourself: This does not seem fair - I have choices on what vendors I use for other services provided to my business – why should trash be any different?

You are not alone. Global Trash Solutions specializes in helping Business Owners in Washington navigate through the red tape into the most cost-effective, efficient, and environmentally sound solutions for waste management in Washington State.

We have recently helped several Business Owners in Seattle, Washington and other municipalities throughout the state save 40% or more on trash and recycling disposal services. By applying our experience and expertise on a location-by-location basis, we are able to save our clients tens of thousands of dollars annually on waste removal. One hopeless Business Owners and CFO’s throughout Washington are rejoicing that, with our help, they have finally found a way to salvage their hard-earned profits from the garbage dumpster and reinvest them in their business.

The best part about Global Trash Solutions’ risk-free consultation program is that we do not charge any upfront fee. That’s right - we do all of the research and planning on our client’s behalf at no charge, and implement our savings recommendations for them after they have agreed to them. This means our clients get the best service and protection from high prices from the day they enroll. We even guarantee a minimum threshold of 10% savings to our clients. We are familiar with all of the local recycling mandates and vendors in Washington State, and we have cultivated relationships with many non-profit organizations that will offer free or low-cost collection service for what our clients were once paying hundreds per month to have sent to the dump.

Please call us today at (561) 844-1445 to receive a free evaluation and audit of your current waste and recycling processes and start saving money on your trash in Washington!    

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A Guide: Does Purchasing a Compactor Make Sense for My Business?

Most astute Business Owners and CFO’s spend much time pondering how they can maximize their company’s profits and lower their overhead costs. Perhaps the most obvious way to increase profits is to lower operating expenses. Like Benjamin Franklin said, “A penny saved is a penny earned.”

Still, the question that plagues many Business Owners is how to lower their expenses. That is why many businesses hire outside consultants, whose core competency is loss prevention in one area or another, to help them add money to their bottom line.

For many businesses, an important expense to consider is waste removal, especially if they generate enough trash to warrant an expense of more than $200-$300 per month. Keeping disposal costs low is particularly important for businesses that generate large volumes of waste. Every Business Owner who is looking to reduce disposal costs should ask: “Will a trash compactor save my business money?”

This can be a difficult question to answer, as sometimes compaction equipment can be a considerable investment, and it can be tough to determine or guarantee a return. However, in certain scenarios, few investments offer the kind of return that trash compactors do.

For example, let’s use John Doe, owner of a high volume QSR Restaurant that has a monthly expense of $1,150.00. The owner of this restaurant has done everything he can to lower his trash bill. He has added cardboard recycling, which helped by lowering his cost from $1,300.00 to $1,150.00, but he still has a hard time stomaching the fact that he pays $13,800.00 every year just to have his trash taken to the dump. He has even thought about hiring someone in a pick-up truck to drive the trash to the dump, but he knows this is illegal as well as unsanitary.

Frustrated by the fact that his trash bill is higher than his car payment, he does some research and decides to seek help from a company many of his fellow QSR Owners swear by, Global Trash Solutions. GlobalTrash Solutions performs a free analysis and calls Mr. Doe with great news: He can save 66% per month by investing in a trash compactor. The compactor will also improve security and aesthetics at the restaurant. Mr. Doe is ecstatic. Global Trash Solutions provides him with a detailed return on investment, financing options, and even negotiates the new price with his trash hauler for him. His equipment pays for itself in 15 months, and he adds over $9,200.00 annually back to his bottom line!

Stories like this are happening every month in 48 states throughout the country. Global Trash Solutions offers a myriad of different turn-key compaction solutions, which is why GTS is one of the fastest growing waste consulting firms in the country. Please contact us today so we can help you improve your profitability, and keep your waste costs as low as possible for life.

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Can The Mandatory Recycling Ordinance in Miami Beach Actually Save Your Business Money?

There is some controversy surrounding the newly enacted mandatory recycling legislature for commercial properties and businesses in Miami Beach. Some business owners feel that the government is overstepping its bounds by requiring that they separate recyclables like glass, plastic, cardboard, and aluminum from the rest of the solid waste that leaves their business. There are others who feel that the mandate is a hassle because requiring their employees to separate recyclables increases labor costs. The most pressing question many business owners are asking is this: How can a mandatory policy that involves the policing of my company's trash and fines for violations possibly save my business money?

The way the ordinance is written may be what is contributing to so much fear and confusion about recycling in Miami Beach. According to the ordinance, inspectors may, after presenting their credentials, enter the business and perform an inspection in order to determine whether the business is recycling the minimum requirement of it's refuse. If found not to be compliant with the new legislature, the business can be issued a violation and fined $350.00 for the first offense, $500.00 for the second offense, $1,000.00 for the third offense, and a whopping $5,000.00 for each subsequent offense. With the threat of fines like those mentioned, it's no wonder business owners in Miami Beach are biting their nails over the new ordinance, which took effect in June of 2013.

To those who know much about the waste and recycling industry, this new mandate could turn out to be a blessing in disguise for businesses in Miami Beach. When the team at Global Trash Solutions first learned of the new mandate from a client who owns several restaurants in Miami Beach this past summer, we were excited to help him ensure compliance with all of the new recycling laws. We  helped our client customize stickers for lobby trash cans so customers could participate in source separation. 

Global Trash Solutions is no stranger to mandatory recycling; we have hundreds of clients in places like Seattle and San Francisco, where mandatory recycling includes not only bottles, cans, mixed paper, and cardboard, but also organics and food items. We love helping our clients recycle, not only because it is good for the planet, but because landfill diversion always has a positive financial impact on businesses that participate. Recyclables are commodities, and we recognize that salvaging a commodity from the trash can add value in many ways if you have the right connections. If you are confused or bewildered by the recycling mandates in your area, please call us today for assistance. We are here to help.   



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New York City – Mandatory Organics Recycling

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg is no stranger to controversy. Over the course of his three terms, scores of borough residents have expressed outrage over his ban on trans-fats, stop and frisk and the city's massive school closings, among other things. Despite his perceived shortcomings, his ultimate legacy could be linked to the long term results of the rapidly-expanding organic recycling program that he started last May.

The organic recycling program involves city eateries and residences conscientiously separating food scraps from non-perishable items, and storing them in sealed trash containers. The developing mulch would then be used as crop fertilizer and energy use capabilities. For participants in the program, strict adherence is important to prevent odors on company premises, as well as preventing insects and larger animals from foraging. It is important for small businesses, such as restaurants and other commercial kitchens which naturally produce and accumulate a high volume of food scraps to focus on what they do best; serving high quality meals in a clean and friendly atmosphere. How is a restaurateur or commercial kitchen manager to know anything about organics recycling?  Business owners in New York City are expected to make every effort to participate in organics recycling, yet are given very little in the way of information from the City.  Mayor Bloomberg expects to introduce legislation that would require schools, hospitals and restaurants to sort left over food waste and divert it from garbage that is headed to the landfill and trash incinerators. This change would probably not take effect until 2015 because the lead time for such a drastic change in a city like New York means a change in culture and how people handle their trash. 

Why go at this alone when Global Trash Solutions can help you better manage your trash and recycling?  GTS already works with hundreds of restaurants in California, Oregon and Washington where mandatory organics recycling is nothing new.  Please don't be forced to change on short notice; call Global Solutions at (866) 760-8194, and help keep your garbage problems manageable with real time solutions at no additional cost to your business.

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