Selecting the Right Waste Disposal Partner

Here’s a quiz.  Name a product or service that you purchase, pay a lot of money for and get nothing that you can see or feel in return.  Stumped?  How about waste disposal?  This is a funny business we’re in.  It’s based on promises.  Promises to do what we say.  Promises to properly manage the waste we collect from you.  Promises to protect your company’s future and liability.

The problem with these promises, of course, is that you may get nothing in return for them.   Except of course for that whole cradle to grave liability thing that the government seems to make such a big deal about.  That’s right, we can promise you the world, but in the end, if we don’t do what we say, you run the risk of having to pay again, when the government steps in to remove and dispose of your waste properly, the waste we promised to take care of for you. 

As you might expect, I get to see a lot of waste processing and disposal sites.  And many are run right, doing what they’re permitted to do and what they promise they will do.  Our sites fall into this category. 

In the last several months, however, I’ve visited a number of sites that are not doing what they say.  And you may become responsible for their eventual clean up.   One site had what appeared to be an impressive looking facility and tank farm (at least in the company brochure).  Up close, though, there were obvious problems that anyone would have noticed in person.  First all the tanks were full (always a bad sign).  Second a building on the site was full of drums (I’m talking floor to ceiling - again a bad sign).  Third, the unpaved lot was obviously contaminated with oil and who knows what else and inside the building, well let’s just say it was a mess.  Another was nearly as bad, a dilapidated building with permitted and unpermitted sludge piled up on the floor, no containment to keep material from seeping outside and … I’m not sure which was more gross, the inside of the building or the outside.  Both had one redeeming quality of course, they were cheap.  But they also held their customer’s future in their hands. They made promises and their customers took their word.  Scary.

How do protect yourself against empty promises?  Easy, you don’t just take our word or anyone else’s.  Seeing for yourself where your waste is managed is always the best way to make sure you’re making a good long term decision.  And when you consider the potential financial consequences, long term is the perspective you need for these decisions.  There’s a little waste industry secret you should know.  There have been very few competitive innovations in the waste treatment industry.  The combination of lower discharge limits and higher chemical costs mean that waste processing costs are increasing, not decreasing.  In addition, costs like energy, insurance and benefits continue to rise, just like they do in your business.  There are companies out there who don’t care about what they should care about, you the client.  They care only about themselves.  They make all of their decisions with their future in mind, not yours. 

But when you take the time to see for yourself, you won’t be easy pray for false promises.  You won’t wonder.  You won’t cross your fingers.  Instead, you’ll feel safe and secure knowing that you made a good decision.  And, best of all, you will get something in return, piece of mind!

Want to find out more about the Secrets for making a great waste disposal decision?  Send me an e mail and I’ll send you my E Book, How to Choose The Right Waste Disposal Partner – in as little as 15 minutes!