One Man's Trash Is Another's Treasure: The Importance Of Dumpster Security

Once you've picked out the right size and type of commercial dumpster for your needs, it's important that you also consider the security of your dumpster area. Depending on where your dumpster is and what sorts of garbage you are getting rid of, dumpsters can attract both animals and people – neither of which you want making a mess with your trash.

Dumpster Locks: Do You Need Them?

There are both legal and practical reasons why a dumpster lock is a good idea. First of all, it's important that you check your town or city's regulations – it's possible that you are required to have a lock on your dumpster. But even if there are no such regulations in your area, there are quite a few reasons why you will want to lock your dumpster.

• Unlocked dumpsters may attract dumpster divers. Whether they are searching for scrap metal or for paperwork that can be used in identity theft, you definitely don't want people rooting through your garbage. You also don't want to get caught up in liability proceedings if someone injures themselves while rooting through one of your dumpsters.
• No matter where you are located, trash can attract animals. In urban areas, this might mean anything from rats and foxes to feral cats; in rural areas, you might have to worry about bears or raccoons. In addition to making a mess of your dumpster, these animals present a safety hazard as well.
• Unlocked dumpsters can also easily end up filled with other people's trash. Some people might see your dumpster as a way to get rid of garbage without paying for their own dumpster rental. This means your dumpster filling up more quickly than it should. Even more seriously, other people using your dumpster can lead to recycling and waste management violations – since it's your dumpster, if people use it to dispose of things they shouldn't, you'll be the one on the hook for any fines.

Simple Padlock Or Heavy-Duty Lock?

Dumpsters can be locked with a variety of locks, ranging from off-the-shelf padlocks to tough, theft-resistant built-in mechanisms. The type you need depends on what you're up against.

• Simple padlocks can be enough if animals are your main concern. While a dedicated person can get past a padlock with a lock pick or bolt cutters, your dumpster will be impenetrable to wildlife. People who would casually throw their garbage in your dumpster probably won't go to the effort of getting through a padlock, either.
• A heavy-duty lock that is resistant to cutting and picking is the best choice if dumpster divers could be an issue. This is especially important if any of your trash might contain information used in identity theft, like any paperwork with personal information on it. Ask your dumpster rental company whether they have built-in locks that are resistant to common break-in techniques.

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