We often take proper garbage management for granted, not understanding how it plays an important role and impacts our well-being. If you have ever dealt with scattered garbage, smelly bins, or pests, you already know how important it is to properly manage outside garbage containers.
That’s why there exists a National Restuarant Association exam called ServSafe. The exam conducts many questions, and one of the commonly asked question is Outside garbage containers must be:
- A. Made of plastic
- B. Enclosed container
- C. Sealed with tight-fitting lid
- D. Steel coated
. The answer to this is simply, outside garbage containers must be placed on a smooth, durable, nonabsorbent surface, and must have tight-fitting lids.
In this post, we are going to discuss everything you need to know about outside garbage containers and the features that make them efficient and reliable for this task.
By the end of this post, you will be equipped with all the knowledge you need to know about this query and also learn some steps to keep your outdoor space clean, pest-free, and pleasant.
MCQ: Outside garbage container must be
Outside Garbage Containers Must Be, is one of the important questions in MCQs that often comes from Chapter 9 “Safe Facilities and Pest Management”.
The correct answer to this is: that outdoor garbage containers must be kept covered with tight-fitting lids.
Many outdoor garbage containers need to be durable, securely enclosed, have tight-fitting lids, and must be placed on a smooth, nonabsorbent surface.
The tight-fitting lids prevent the infestation of pests (like roaches and flies), and the entry of rodents (like mice and raccoons) from accessing the trash, and avoid messy scenarios like the scattering of garbage and keep the smell from leaking.
This helps in maintaining the cleanliness of outdoor space, reduces odor, and minimizes the spread of harmful bacteria
These may seem like small things but these features like enclosed containers with tight-fitting lids help contribute to a healthier environment and create a better waste management system in both residential and commercial areas.
Features of a good outdoor garbage container
We all understand why an outside garbage container mist be tight-fitted with lids. But there are other things that one should keep in mind while looking for an efficient container. Which container should be used for outdoor trash storage, depends on many factors.
Let’s go over these must-have features of an outdoor garbage container:
Must be durable plastic
Outdoor garbage containers are placed outside which makes them easy targets for pests and rodents. For them, it’s like a buffet of your leftover food and this is why these containers must be made from durable materials.
The garbage container must be made from durable plastic, and steel coated, and should be enclosed. This way these containers can withstand extreme weather and heavy loads of trash, and prevent the entry of rodents and pests.
As they are made from plastic, you won’t have to worry about them getting rusted. They are also light in weight, making it easier to carry them around.
Garbage container made from good quality materials ensures they are going to last in the long run while keeping your trash safe and keeping your surroundings fresh.
Should be enclosed
A garbage container that is not enclosed properly is a loud invitation to unwanted visitors like roaches and raccoons. Uncovered garbage containers can cause problems like scattered trash everywhere, pest infestation, and the gross smell of last night’s dinner, that you definitely don’t want anywhere near you (quite horrible sight, isn’t it).
Enclosed garbage bins with tight-fitting lids can help keep trouble like pests and rodents away from trash, trap odor, and prevent garbage from spilling out during harsh weather.
With enclosed garbage containers, you can keep your surroundings fresh and hygienic.
Sealed with a tight-fitting lid
A tight-fitting lid isn’t just for show, it is there to ensure the garbage stays safe, traps the smell, and keeps the surroundings clean. With a tight-fitting lid, curious animals like raccoons, stray dogs, or birds, won’t be able to access your trash and make a mess.
According to food safety guidelines, tightly sealed lids also help minimize the contamination risks and prevent the spread of bacteria. It is important for garbage containers to have tight-fitted lids in both residential and commercial areas.
Prevent pests
Outdoor garbage containers easily attract pests like cockroaches, ants, or flies. Once they get to the trash, they are hard to get rid of. That’s the reason why outdoor trashes are becoming public health issues.
So, it’s important for outdoor garbage bins to have tight-fitted lids. The tight-fitted lid makes sure the smell stays inside and keeps the pests or wild animals from getting to the trash.
For food establishments, this is an important practice to prevent the spread of harmful diseases. A proper trash container prevents such incidents from happening.
Enclosed
Outside garbage containers are designed to be secure and keep your trash safe. An enclosed garbage bin keeps the trash safe from strong wind, rain, and other extreme weather conditions.
This way you won’t have to worry about your garbage scattering everywhere or getting destroyed by pests or wild animals.
Properly located
The location of where to keep your outdoor garbage container matters. Garbage containers should be easily accessible but not in the high-traffic areas. Make sure to choose a location where you can easily throw the trash and also keep it out of sight.
The garbage containers should be placed on durable, flat, and non-absorbent surfaces like a driveway or a designated garbage area, best if kept in a shaded spot.
Also if you manage food waste, make sure the garbage bins are located far from food preparation areas to prevent contamination.
Regularly maintained
Garbage containers are designed for disposing of trash, they can become the most favorite spot for pests and rodents if not maintained properly.
To prevent this horrible scenario, it is important to properly clean the garbage container from inside and outside. With time, these containers can collect grime, residue, and awful odor that makes them unhygienic and a playground of harmful bacteria.
To clean the containers, first, empty them completely and then use a hose to thoroughly rinse the inside and outside of the trash bin. Use some dish soap and a brush to clean the build of grime and mess left behind by the trash.
Rinse them with clean water and let them dry. If you still smell some bad odor then sprinkle some baking soda at the bottom of these containers after you are done cleaning.
For commercial use, frequent cleaning should be done to avoid contamination and meet food safety standards.
What is the appropriate place to locate outside garbage containers?
Now that we are done with the features of an outside garbage container, the next thing we should know is the appropriate place for an outside garbage container.
You might take this step lightly but it’s important. The placement of the outdoor garbage bins matters for maintaining hygiene and accessibility in your surroundings.
While looking for the ideal spot, keep these factors in mind, the garbage bin should be located where it’s shaded, easily accessible, far away from food preparation areas (for food establishments), and keep it out of sight.
The spot you choose must be flat, smooth, durable, and non-absorbent like concrete or asphalt. This way you can ensure the trash container has stability and makes cleaning easier.
Make sure the container is placed away from entrances, exits, and food preparation areas, to avoid contamination, odor, and pest infestation. Also, ensure they are not blocking pathways and don’t interfere with daily tasks while maintaining a clean space.
For residential settings, the garbage container must be placed near driveways or curbs for easy collection, and for commercial settings, you can find designated areas for the placement of garbage containers. Those areas are properly enclosed to maintain cleanliness and improve waste management efficiently.
Conclusion
Throwing trash in the garbage container may not look like an exciting task but plays a crucial role in keeping our surroundings clean and hygienic. To maintain this cleanliness, it is important to see what type of container you are using, since outdoor bins are an easy target for pests and rodents, we must make sure our trash is safe and secure from their reach.
This is why questions like “outside garbage containers must be” are part of the ServSafe test. And the answer to this question, these outside garbage containers must be equipped with tight-fitted lids. These tight-fitted lids ensure that your trash stays the way it is, keep the odor from leaking, and prevent the infestation of pests and rodents.
This may seem like a small thing but this can make a huge difference. Remember the best outdoor bins are durable, enclosed, tightly sealed, and pest-resistant. Make sure to place them in a shaded spot, away from food preparation areas, to avoid contamination and the spread of harmful bacteria.
Also, make sure to maintain and clean the garbage container from time to time, to prevent the contamination of harmful bacteria and meet the food safety standards. So the next time, you go out to throw trash, give your trash bin a little more attention, check its condition if it needs a cleanup or not, also make sure the lid is secured on the container.
A sturdy well-maintained garbage container might get overlooked a lot of times but it makes sure your place and environment remain healthy and hygienic.
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