Dumpster Misappropriation

How AI Can Cost You: Navigating Dumpster Misappropriation in Commercial Spaces

Dumpsters are often overlooked as security vulnerabilities and can significantly impact businesses financially and operationally. Jeff Hewitt, Per Mar Security’s experienced waste expert, brings attention to the growing concerns around dumpster misappropriation, such as illegal dumping and associated fines, which affect businesses of all types and sizes.

The Problem with Unmonitored Dumpsters
Businesses face hefty fines from waste management companies due to overfilled dumpsters or improper waste disposal. These fines are often due to trash exceeding certain limits or incorrect sorting. Additionally, items improperly disposed of, like lithium batteries, can lead to fires, further escalating costs as businesses are held accountable for replacing damaged containers.

Further, if the business wants to terminate their trash contract early due to these issues, you could face an early termination penalty (commonly six times the monthly cost of service). All the more reason to solve the root cause of the overages.

The Role of AI and Monitoring
Many waste management companies have installed AI-enhanced  camera systems on their trucks in the last couple of years, an industry trend that will likely continue growing. These systems are designed to pinpoint when a trash dumpster is overfilled, a recycling dumpster is contaminated with trash and if any dumpster is misused, all instances that generate automatic monthly fees. This automation leaves little room for disputing charges, sometimes reaching hundreds of dollars per incident. However, these AI systems aren’t flawless and can sometimes mistakenly attribute penalties. Live video monitoring not only helps you contest unwarranted fees but also serves as a quality control tool, educating staff on proper waste disposal practices.

Per Mar’s Intelligent Video Monitoring Solution 

Per Mar can address these challenges head-on with our Live Video Monitoring (LVM) solution, a.k.a. Intelligent Video Monitoring. This advanced system takes standard video surveillance several steps further by providing real-time monitoring and verification of incidents. This is a significant value-add for businesses experiencing ongoing charges and related pain points with their waste management services.

LVM can accurately identify when a dumpster is overfilled or misused, helping to contest unwarranted fines and educating staff through visual feedback on proper disposal practices. It can also audibly deter trespassers with customized messaging, for example, “You are trespassing. Please leave the area. This area is under video surveillance, and you have been recorded.”

Check out this video footage of how it looks and sounds. The perpetrators drive away every time! 

LVM’s Role in Reducing Fees
With live video, businesses can reduce the frequency of unnecessary penalties and the associated high fees. By verifying dumpster usage and providing real-time alerts, LVM helps prevent illegal dumping and reduces the likelihood of dumpster fires. This proactive monitoring promotes responsible waste management practices while saving money, improving operational efficiency, and supporting environmental sustainability. Take it from someone with more than five years of experience in the field!

“Per Mar’s Live Video Monitoring systems can be a critical tool for our customers facing substantial dumpster-related challenges,” said Jeff. “With LVM, we’re not only able to prevent illegal dumping and reduce unnecessary fines, but also enhance the overall security and efficiency of waste management programs for businesses of all sizes. It’s a game-changer for protecting our clients’ assets.”

For more information on how we can help your business manage dumpster-related challenges more efficiently, contact us.