HOA Letter

We sometimes hear that residents get negative feedback from HOA boards for having trash cans and recycling bins on the street on days when they are out to be cleaned.

Dirty trash bins stink! Nobody likes to clean them–it’s dirty, disgusting work. Using a garden hose is not powerful enough to clean, sanitize or properly disinfect dirty bins. If you use harsh chemicals, you could put yourself, your neighbors, your pets and the environment at risk. But trash cans are among the dirtiest, most germ-ridden objects on our property. This is exacerbated by restrictions that require trash cans to be stored out of sight, which usually means in the garage. On trash day, walking through the neighborhood past dirty trash bins even after they are emptied, can be a nauseating experience.

TriStar Bin Cleaning uses industrial-grade equipment to safely clean, disinfect and deodorize trash bins using only water, while collecting and hauling away the waste. Unlike a homeowner using a hose, this process requires no chemicals, not even soap. This environmentally-friendly process accomplishes multiple goals:

  • It eliminates the foul odor associated with a dirty trash bin

  • It removes harmful and dangerous germs, mold, mildew and bacteria from the garage.

  • It protects the environment by eliminating bleach and detergent typically used by homeowners from (illegally) washing down the storm drain.

  • It makes walking past trash bins after pickup a non-event instead of a stomach-turning occasion.

Trash can cleaning is an additional cleaning service, not an additional trash pickup service. Having dirty trash cans professionally cleaned is good for the resident, good for the neighborhood and good for the environment. Homeowners across the country are leveraging this service to make their garage safer and smell better.

Trash can cleaning services are only performed once per month or once per quarter, as requested by the resident. Therefore, an exemption should be granted for residents to place trash cans in an accessible location for the purpose of cleaning and disinfecting on those days.

TriStar Bin Cleaning is confident that a suitable compromise can be achieved. Across the nation, bin cleaning services are being embraced by residents and HOA boards are proactively working with homeowners to solve this issue.

One possibility to ensure only cans designated for professional cleaning are left out, a tag can be placed on the cans to positively identify them. Only properly tagged bins would be exempt. Other options may be available.

If we put our heads together, we can come up with a solution!