In 2018, America produced 292.4 million tons of garbage. This was a 23.7 million ton increase from 2017’s trash output, implying that it’s far from slowing down. According to The World Bank, global waste is set to triple by 2100, and Americans contribute to this total three times more than Japan, even with a similar GDP per person.
With all this garbage, there’s a steady flow of it going through individual trash bins. While the majority of people think keeping their trash in bags is enough, this is not the case. In fact, unclean trash bins contribute to many health and safety concerns that are easy to avoid. Here are some of the benefits of cleaning your trash bins.
Remove Harmful Bacteria
While most bacteria are contained within trash bags, leaks are very common. The trash bins then serve as a warm and damp environment where bacteria can thrive. Not only can these make you sick, but in some cases, they can be life-threatening. According to FoodSafety.gov, three common types of bacteria found in trash bins (E. Coli, Salmonella, and Listeria) are all top contributors to “the most illnesses, hospitalizations, or deaths in the United States.” This can pose a major health and safety risk to your home or business. When you clean your trash bins, it not only eliminates the waste that allowed the bacteria to grow but also kills any remaining bacteria.
Remove Odors
Any residue left behind in trash bins can cause odors. These odors are caused by bacteria– when they decompose food waste and other biodegradable materials, they produce gases. These gases can contain sulfur or nitrogen, both of which contribute to the stench. Without cleaning the trash bins, this odor will not go away and will continue to get worse as more residue and bacteria are added.
Stop Attracting Wild Animals
The stench of trash bins can attract wild animals around your property, which poses more health and safety risks. One of these risks is rabies. In 2018, the CDC found that wild animals accounted for 92.7% of rabies cases. Currently, rabies has no official cure. One common animal that’s attracted to trash includes raccoons, which are the 2nd most common carrier of rabies. They can also carry other harmful bacteria, viruses, and even parasites. Rats are also attracted to the stench of garbage, which are known for transmitting diseases such as hantavirus and even the plague. These are only a few examples of the wild animals that may come to your property if trash bins are left uncleaned. Once the source of the odor is removed, however, wild animals are far less likely to pose a risk.
Stop Attracting Insects
Along with wild animals, insects are also attracted to the stench of trash. One example is flies, which tend to lay eggs in trash bins. These eggs will turn into maggots, and eventually full-grown flies, at which point the cycle continues. Along with being a nuisance every time you take out the trash, flies are also known for carrying a host of harmful diseases. As the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) stated on their website, “[The common housefly] can carry more than 1 million bacteria on their bodies and can transfer these to contaminate surfaces and food.” Along with flies, roaches also thrive in trash bins. Like flies, they carry bacteria and are known for spreading diseases such as salmonella and streptococcus (strep throat). Cleaning the trash bins will keep these insects at bay.
Taking Out The Trash Is Easier
Once residues are in the trash bin, they may get onto your hands or clothing when taking out the trash. Considering the bacteria found in trash bins and odor transfer, this would certainly require sufficient washing to remove. If the trash is taken out at night, you may also have to contend with wild animals. Keeping this in mind, cleaning out your trash bins makes taking out the trash a much less messy affair.
If you live in Arizona and would like to mitigate the risks of unclean trash cans, Clean Bin Heroes is here to help you out. Contact us today to get a free quote.