Outdoor trash cans are an integral part of any school's waste management routine and tend to get the most abuse. Most schools have several trash cans distributed throughout the building; bathrooms, classrooms, and offices all generate surprisingly large amounts of waste that must be stored temporarily until pick up day. An outdoor trash can allows you to store large amounts of refuse outside and gives you an easy transportation method as well.

Selecting the proper outdoor trash can for your particular needs is dependent upon how much waste your school generates and how long the intervals are between pickups or disposal. These two factors give you an idea of the volume you need to store all of your school's refuse without having to risk health hazards and inviting pests. Many schools find that two fifty-five gallon receptacles at all of the entrances help tremendously.

There are thousands of designs and models to choose from, and when choosing your model you need to keep two key factors, durability and mobility, in mind.

First and foremost is durability, an outdoor trash can must endure many different types of waste products for indeterminable amounts of time and therefore must be extremely resistant to corrosion and leaking, as well as mold, mildew, and bacteria. Many newer models are made of composites and plastics that inhibit microbial growth and can take the abuse that most outdoor trash cans are subjected to, particularly inside a school.

Tight seals on lids and leak resistance are necessary to prevent odors and liquid waste from escaping and attracting various types of pests or allowing pests to get inside the containers. Containing these waste materials properly also helps to prevent the risk of many common health hazards like staph infections and salmonella. Resistance to rust and corrosion is a must, as every outdoor trash can will eventually need to be washed and commonly holds several types of liquid waste at any one time.

Mobility is the second major factor when choosing an outdoor trash can; a fifty gallon receptacle can weigh hundreds of pounds when full, and trying to maneuver that much weight can be extremely difficult and dangerous if it falls. Your outdoor trash can needs very strong wheels, axles, and handles to allow you to move it back and forth from the curb or disposal site. A broken wheel or faulty axle can lead to more than just a mess on the ground, particularly if it lands on a person or a vehicle. The mobility of the can also gives you the additional benefit of being able to move the can to where you need it.

Applying these factors when you choose your next outdoor trash can ensure that your receptacles suit your school's particular needs and that they will do so for many years to come.