Trash Can Maintenance & Management

Receptacles should be easy for maintenance personnel to empty. The easiest receptacles to service are those that are emptied from the top. Receptacles that open on the side are difficult and time consuming to empty, and are likely to break. Moving parts, which can break, rust or be taken apart, should be avoided.

Trash cans should have liners to prevent litter from leaking or falling out of the container and on to the sidewalk. A metal or plastic liner with a disposable, heavy-duty inner plastic bag is best. Plastic liners are easier than metal liners to clean, but are sensitive to solvents such as lighter fluid. In parks, where barbecuing is common, a metal liner is best, and on city sidewalks, plastic is better. The inner, disposable bag should be securely attached with a rim to the top of the liner or container so that litter cannot fall in between the liner and trash can. These bags should be temperature, puncture, tear and odor resistant and able to withstand stress and impact when carried or thrown. They should also have a good method for closing.