Essential Tips for Commercial Trash Chute Maintenance

In modern commercial buildings, few architectural additions outshine the trash chute, especially in high-rise structures. Such conveniences are often unnoticed or taken for granted, but many industrial and commercial sites would be much less pleasant without them. America generates up to, and often more than, four pounds of trash per day. Trash chutes provide a quick, convenient, and clean way to move garbage out of the building in an orderly manner. Although some maintenance is involved, proper use protocols vastly improve the working life for employers, staff, and clients alike.

What are Trash Chutes?

Most people think of a long, boxy tube of metal when they think of trash chutes, and in many cases, they’d be correct. People insert garbage into the mouth of the chute. Builders install the chute vertically, flush against the outermost interior of the building, near the supports. The openings are akin to mail slots, a little panel that is pulled down to allow admittance. When trash is inserted into the chute, it slides down the tube to the lowermost level and into the collection bin. Not every building comes equipped with a trash chute. However, in many cases, installation requires little more than a straightforward upgrade or retrofit.

Cleaner Environments

Unfortunately, staff and clients can sometimes become lax about proper waste disposal. Setting trash in the most convenient place possible, even if that isn’t a garbage can or waste basket, can cause trash to accumulate at an uncomfortable rate. Providing the building with trash chutes means that office space and commercial buildings will become less cluttered. People will be able to toss their coffee away when finished by simply pulling down the panel and dropping their disposable coffee mug inside as they make their way to the elevator or their work station. Entire waste baskets can be emptied into the chutes, as well. Simply tie the bag off and slide it into the metal tube. This can not only improve the air in a space, but also helps to lower janitorial costs, cutting down time and effort to clean a building.

Short and Long Term Maintenance for Commercial Trash Chutes

For many buildings with a trash chute, major commercial trash chute maintenance is ideally needed twice a year. On a smaller scale, though, the chutes should be cleaned regularly. Because they are used on a daily basis and see a great deal of traffic, debris and buildup can accumulate. In some cases, trash chutes are equipped with sanitizing systems that provide regular cleaning to help eliminate displeasing odors and residues. Often, after a thorough cleaning, professional maintenance companies will use a de-greasing solution on the metal. This helps preserve the material.

Installing a trash chute and implementing usage regulations is an excellent way to keep commercial buildings smelling fresh and looking pristine. Staff and clients will be willing and able to use these structures. Trash chutes are worth every penny as they help keep buildings sanitary and clean. The building owner often recovers the investment over time.