Choosing Waste Receptacles

One of the most important aspects to owning a successful business is ensuring your customers or employees can safely dispose of food, feminine hygiene products, used paper towels, and other kinds of waste. According to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), waste receptacles should be conveniently located in an area that is accessible to people using wheelchairs, through preferably adjacent to an accessible lavatory. Choosing the best waste receptacle for your public restroom or facility may also depend on its proximity to a baby changing station, sanitary napkin disposal, as well as the cost associated with maintaining and replenishing your receptacle supplies.

Accessibility is paramount when it comes to choosing the best waste receptacle for your commercial bathroom. ADA standards mandate that trash cans shall be located between 15 and 48 inches from the floor, allowing access to persons in wheelchairs. If your chosen receptacle features a hinged panel, the user should not be required to use more than five pounds of force to open it. Furthermore, receptacle units that project more than four inches from the wall or 27 inches above the floor should be restricted to areas such as corners or alcoves to avoid restricting access to aisles or pose hazards to individuals with visual impairments or blindness.

Cost is another essential factor when it comes to choosing the best waste receptacle for your facility. Your budget will determine the sizes, capacities, materials, and features available to you. You must also consider the available space in your commercial restroom. The available space and anticipated traffic will help you to determine the installation method and design your facility can accommodate. There are many recessed, surface-mounted, and standing models. The way you store and display your waste receptacle also impacts labor costs spent cleaning restrooms and maintaining waste receptacles to ensure that they are clean and safe from overflowing. Many waste receptacles hold a lot of waste paper and allow for easy insertion and removal of vinyl liners and can be locked to prevent vandalism.

Waste receptacles are an important appliance that will only serve their purpose effectively if they are conveniently located near or alongside paper dispensers. You may consider a waste receptacle that is either combined with the dispenser or can be permanently mounted next to it. If you have any questions about this buying guide or would like help finding the ideal solution for your public washroom, contact a member of the PandaProducts.com team today for further assistance.