How to dispose trash for 10+ STR units?

Question

When @Tom Sharkey and I first started our STRs, we would collect the weekly garbage and take it out on 'trash days' to be picked up. Now we have several units (trash days are different) and don't have the time to go unit to do this. Our cleaning crew mentioned that it is illegal for them to handle the trash (such as driving it to a dumpster). What are others in the STR/Vacation Rental industry doing to dispose their trash?

We bought large bins that we keep in the back of the house where the garbage from each turn over is consolidated. But the struggle still is taking it out on time to be picked up on specific days.

Looking for suggestions and ideally a system or company names that can take care of this

Paul Sandhu · Answer

I call b.s. on your cleaning crew.  Find another one that will do it, then fire your current crew.

Anand S. · Answer

We publish the trash days and procedure and leave it to the guest to follow. We penalize them with a fee if they don't (rarely do I enforce). Our cleaners will manage this if not followed.

We also pay the city extra for extra bins since we end up with an unusual amount of trash.

You should ask the cleaners exactly what law is broken if they help with the trash.

Mark Miles · Answer

I have rather large houses that accumulate massive amounts of trash. I would never in a million years ask my guests to wheel out trash cans & bring them back in, for 2 reasons: 1) I’m not sure I’d trust them to do it properly & then my trash cans would be sitting in the street all week, 2) they’re on vacation to escape - not to do chores, blegh!!!

After each cleaning, I throw my neighbors a few bucks to dispose of the trash. Nice & easy

Matt Devincenzo · Answer

Every STR I've ever stayed at has left a 'trash day' schedule and we were responsible for taking it out. Even one in the Outer Banks last year we had a check in two days before the trash day, so there was still trash from the previous tenant in the cans (4-6 cans total). We added our trash, and took the cans out on the designated day with no complaint. I'm not saying that all guests will react this way, but renting a house isn't a hotel where there is an expectation that services are provided (IMO).

As for the cleaners not removing the trash, I'll play devil's advocate here, and my guess is they can remove it but thy can't 'dump' it into a dumpster that isn't paid for my you i.e. they are saying they can't illegally dump it in another property dumpster. They may have been told that they aren't allowed to do that (which is illegal) and taken it to mean they can't take the trash period....at least I'd explore that line of questioning with them to see what they say.

Joe Splitrock · Answer

@Sofia Sharkey we stayed at a STR where the host messaged us and asked to take their garbage out. For what we paid for that house, it just made the owner look cheap and it was annoying. If you are going to require this, I would state it in the listing. A hotel would never require this and I have only had one STR request it, so it is not a majority policy and would be unexpected by the guest.

As far as your cleaners not being able to take the garbage - most cities require licenses for garbage hauling. The cleaner could take it out to the curb, but not remove it from the property. Realistically,  there isn't some 'garbage hauling police squad' monitoring this, so they would likely not get caught. My guess is they don't want to deal with the mess or don't have a good place to dispose of it.

John Underwood · Answer

I don't believe that it is illegal for your cleaning crew to take the trash.

Ask them for proof of this law or just find new cleaners that will take it.

Mark Miles · Answer

One other point that I would add to this thread: just because others in your market do it a certain way, doesn’t mean you have to. I own some fairly nice houses in some areas where most of the rentals require guests to bring their own linens, sheets and towels. I could have done that, but instead I spent $2000 to purchase three sets of linens, sheets and towels.

It was a one time upfront expense to make my guests experience a better one, and  I strongly believe that it worked. Because our guests often state in the reviews about how worry free and easy the property is and they often state that the house has everything they could possibly need. I’m sure if I asked them to bring their own beddings and to take out the trash, I wouldn’t be getting as great of reviews for being so all-inclusive

Sofia Sharkey · Answer

@Joe Splitrock I can totally understand that. I have a hard time expecting guests to be a reliable method. They would not only have to take theirs to the curb but also bring the large bins from the back and put them out front. I’m happy to read it has worked out for many others. However, I still think it might be too much of a hassle in my case as most of the people who stay at my places come to enjoy the night life (they check-in late and wake up late).

Lauren Kormylo · Answer

I stayed at a beach condo that is now for sale for 1.3 Million, it cost me $4700 for a week.  We were asked to take trash out at the end of our stay. That’s normal there. Over the course of the week, we took trash out many times anyway, with 10 people staying there. We also had to supply our own sheets and towels. Also normal in that locale - Ocean City MD.

Michael Baum · Answer

Hey @Joe Splitrock, I have asked each and every guest to take all their trash out to the bins. No one has ever complained or left a comment in their review.

Personally I don't think it is too much to ask that they simply grab their garbage and put it in the bin. I do that as a matter of course at every STR we have ever stayed at.

We did that before we began our STR but now I see it as a nice thing to do as it is a simple job that leaves the cleaners more time to do their thing.

Now a hotel is a different matter altogether. They are full service whereas a VR isn't. I can see being annoyed if you paid $1000 a night or something like that, but for me, even there, I would do it. My 2 cents! :)

How to dispose trash for 10+ STR units?

Most Popular Reply