Common Issues With Restaurant Trash Chutes

When we think of trash chutes, we generally think of multi-story condominium buildings or office buildings where the trash chute is used by individuals to avoid carrying their trash down many flights of stairs. However, trash chutes can also be found in multi-level restaurants or those located on higher floors in commercial buildings. 

Pros of Trash Chutes

Those living in large residential buildings or working in multi-story commercial office buildings know that garbage chutes increase the quality of life for those inside the building. It is essential to remove trash and debris from our homes and offices, and garbage chutes allow us to do that in a clean, timely manner. Benefits of having a trash chute in your multi-story building or restaurant include: 

• Convenience 
• Cleaner workspace or kitchen 
• A safer environment 
• No physical contact or exposure to trash 
• Better air quality 
• Speedy removal of trash 

Common Issues with Restaurant Trash Chutes

The trash chute is a convenient system that quickly removes garbage from the area, without someone having to climb up and down many flights of stairs, or take a smelly bag in a crowded elevator. However, if not properly maintained, the trash chute can present some issues for the building manager, maintenance staff, or even those using the trash chute. Here are some common issues with restaurant trash chutes. 

• Air Quality
  The quality of the air in a restaurant is an important factor for the restaurant owner, staff, and customers. To properly enjoy a delicious meal, customers need clean, odorless air. In addition, staff needs to have good air quality for the health and quality of their work environment. If a nearby trash chute is giving off a foul smell, it will be more than a small annoyance. Foul odors are generally a sign that something is wrong, and that the interior air quality is suffering as a result. Rotting food, bacteria, and harmful toxins could be in the air. 

• Bacteria or Mold Growth
  Restaurants maintain high standards for cleanliness to ensure the health and safety of the staff and guests. If garbage is stuck in the trash chute, it could begin to stagnate and fester. This creates the perfect breeding grounds for mold and bacteria, which is problematic for the health of those in the area. 

• Pest Infestations
  If food waste is not removed correctly from a restaurant’s trash chute, it could attract unwanted pests, such as insects, rodents, and animals. These critters could see the trash chute as a source of food, or the surrounding area as a good place to nest. Pest infestations can damage the building or pose a health risk to the building as a whole.

• Fire Hazard
  Neglecting to clean a trash chute could present fire hazards. A fire would not only pose a safety risk for everyone in the building, but it could close down any businesses or restaurants inside, resulting in additional costs or loss of income.

Preventing Issues with Restaurant Trash Chutes 

Restaurants often have a high amount of food waste, and some utilize trash chutes to remove this waste. If trash chutes are not cleaned and maintained on a regular basis, the results could pose health and safety risks for everyone inside. Ensure that the trash chute in your commercial building or restaurant is cleaned and maintained on a regular basis. Contact the team at Airpro Hawaii Indoor Air Solutions today to schedule your trash chute maintenance.