When planning a special event you’ll need to consider restrooms for those attending. If your event doesn’t have nearby bathrooms then renting portable bathrooms will be necessary. Here are some tips to keep people from discussing the bathroom facilities, and instead, fully engaged and enjoying themselves.

Number of Portable Toilets 

Perhaps the most common mistake made with outdoor toilet rentals is not providing enough toilets for participants. We’ve all been to an event where there aren’t enough porta potties and you know it isn’t pleasant to have to wait endlessly in a line. Having enough portable bathroom rentals can have a huge impact on how participants view the success of your event. The general rule of thumb is to have 1 porta potty per 100 people. However, this number will need to be adjusted according to additional factors. Consider the following:

1. How long is your event? If it is more than four hours, more attendees will find their way to the toilet. If the event is several days you’ll have to ensure the units don’t fill up to their capacity before your special occasion is over.
2. What is the distribution of men and women for your event? If there are significantly more women, it’s suggested you include more portable bathrooms in your rental request.
3. You’ll also want to increase the number of outdoor toilets you rent if you serve alcohol at your event. A few beers are all it takes to fill up the bladder.
4. Does your event have a specific time where all participants need to be in one place? A common example is a race. If there is a start time and a lot of anxious participants with pre-race nerves, then you’ll have to prepare for the rush of by having additional porta potty units.

Location 

The number of outdoor toilet rentals at an event isn’t the only consideration to make as an event planner. Take a look at the layout of your event. Is there a significant amount of fencing or temporary buildings? Are the outdoor toilets going to be visible from one end of your event to the other? Will a person be capable of easily navigating to the designated bathroom area?  If not, consider having the portable bathrooms in a few areas. Another thing to look for where people will be stationed. If you have a population, such as volunteers, that are required to stay in a specific area you’ll want to provide them with a porta potty too.

Bathrooms, especially outdoor toilets, do not smell like perfume. As such, participants will not want to congregate near them. Yes, the bathrooms should be close enough to access, but make sure they stay on the perimeter of the event. This is especially true when there is food booths or an eating area nearby. You don’t want the fried food smell to be overwhelmed by the smell of portable bathrooms.

Take another look at the location of your event. Outdoor toilet rentals cannot be on a slope. You’ll have to find a spot that is flat. This is easy if you are on a paved surface such as a flat parking lot, but the ground surface can be more of a concern when you are placing them on softer surfaces. Even on what seems like flat terrain, there can be uneven patches that will make it difficult for someone to use the port potty without stumbling about inside.

Someone from the rental company will need to drop off each unit for you, so as you pick the location, try to look for landmarks that they can use if you won’t be onsite when they deliver the units.

Sanitation Supplies

Then, of course, there are the details inside each porta potty. Is there enough toilet paper? Do you want hand sanitizer in each unit or are you planning to have a handwashing station outside? This is especially important if people will be around food.

Success!

While there are a lot of details to planning outdoor toilet rentals for a special event, the process can be simple. Don’t be afraid to ask the company you rent from for their advice. Or, ask another event planner about the number of portable toilets they used in their event.

The post Common Mistakes Made In Porta Potty Planning appeared first on AW Sites.

Arwood Waste Holds Annual U.S. Flag Retirement Ceremony

In conjunction with Flag Day and National Garbage Man Day celebrations, Arwood Waste recently held it’s annual Flag Retirement Ceremony. This year’s ceremony was held at the home of John D. Arwood, President of Arwood Waste. The U.S. flag is a beacon to the world of the core American values that we hold most dear–Freedom, Honor, Justice and Respect. While those values will always live on, each physical U.S. flag eventually reaches the end of their life-span. Arwood Waste is proud to continue offering this free public service throughout the year in partnership with local Boy Scout Troops and local U.S. Military.

How To Participate

If you have a damaged, faded or old U.S. flag, Arwood Waste is honored to properly dispose of it for no charge. We want to make this service easy for you.

1. Send us your Flag.

Drop off your flag at any Arwood Waste location during regular business hours or mail your flag to our corporate offices at:

Arwood Waste
13255 Lanier Rd
Jacksonville, FL 32226

2. We will retire your flag.

Arwood Waste stores all U.S. flags received and holds a Flag Retirement Ceremony in conjunction with Flag Day each year during which all collected flags are respectfully and properly disposed of. We’d be honored to include yours.

3. Share with a Friend.

Properly retiring a flag is not a process that everyone is familiar with. Why not let your friends and families know about this free community service from Arwood Waste?

Arwood Waste is proud to offer this public service at no charge.

Original Photo: Georgia National Guard

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When you’re in a rush, taking the time to properly wash your hands may seem to be a simple inconvenience that can be easily bypassed. In fact, recent studies have shown that 95% of Americans are washing their hands improperly. While most restrooms private and public throughout the country have the proper means available, some people simply refuse to take the time out of their day to wash their hands correctly.

What these people may not know is how important washing your hands is. Whether you are simply just practicing good hygiene or trying to prevent the spread of germs and disease-carrying bacteria, washing your hands can play a big role in your overall health.

Preventing the Spread of Illness and Disease

Just a simple touch is all it takes for disease and illness carrying germs and bacteria to be transferred from one person to another. According to the Clean Hands Coalition, germs and bacteria can live on surfaces for up to 2 hours, leaving those people who don’t wash their hands vulnerable to several different illnesses.

When you use any restroom, public or private, you expose yourself to several nasty germs. From the common cold to the stomach flu, unwashed hands and contaminated surfaces can lead to a number of different illnesses that could be damaging to anyone’s health.

How to Properly Wash Your Hands

The most effective way to protect yourself from the harmful germs throughout the bathroom is by washing your hands after any contact with restroom surfaces. Whenever you are washing your hands, be sure to use warm, running water.

Next, apply soap to your hands and lather the soap between your hands, fingers and under your nails. After the soap has been applied to your hand, scrub the surfaces of your hand and wrist for at least 20 seconds to ensure you are getting a thorough wash. After scrubbing, rinse your hands under clean, running warm water before drying them with a clean towel or a nearby air drying station.

Even if soap and running water aren’t available, you should be sure to clean your hands as much as possible. An alcohol-based hand sanitizer that includes at least 60% alcohol can quickly reduce the number of germs on the skin. However, it is important to remember that applying hand sanitizers is not a replacement for washing your hands with running water and anti-bacterial soap.

Whenever you’re hosting a large event, sanitation isn’t always easily accessible. Make sure you have your temporary sanitation needs met with portable sanitation services

The post Importance of Hand Sanitation After Porta-Jon Use appeared first on AW Sites.

Whether you plan to remodel a kitchen, build a brand new home, or add a wing onto a commercial building, one of the best things you can do is to place a portable toilet on your construction site. Not only do they benefit your clients, workers and the environment, but they can also save you money. Read on to find out how portable bathrooms can keep your job site safe, efficient, legal and make your clients and workers happy.

A Remedy for Faulty Logic

Sometimes companies mistakenly believe that workers should be responsible for finding restrooms for their daily use. After all, many establishments offer bathrooms for public use, including gas stations, restaurants, malls and libraries. Those same construction companies hope that they will save money by avoiding the expense of construction toilet rentals.

While this reasoning may appear sound at first glance, the logic quickly falls apart when you examine the facts. For example, each time workers visit off-site venues to use their facilities, they spend valuable time driving or walking to that location and then driving or walking back.

And, what happens when workers can’t easily find a public bathroom to use? Not only are they unhappy, but they are gone from the job site even longer. Plus, there is also the chance that other distractions will come up during their trips to find a bathroom, such as making phone calls, stopping for a beverage or grabbing a snack. In addition, clients can become concerned when workers are coming and going throughout the day because they may start to think they are wasting time. Portable bathrooms can solve these problems.

Improves Worker Productivity

If you provide portable toilets on your construction site, you will eliminate worker’s travel time to find a restroom and the possibility of off-site distractions. Workers will be able to walk right to on-site portable restrooms and be back on the job within minutes. How does this help you? To begin, your workers will be happier and more comfortable, and studies show that happy workers are more productive. This also means that your workers will be more focused and spend a lot more time on the job completing their tasks of the day. Combined, all of this means that your project’s productivity will significantly improve. This overall increase in productivity will translate into more profit for you, since your projects are more likely to finish on schedule or even ahead of time. A win-win for everybody.

Protects Your Clients’ Privacy

Occasionally companies may consider asking their clients if the crew can use their existing on-site bathroom. This is not usually a good idea. Even relatively easy building projects can interrupt the daily routines and lifestyles of individuals and families. Not only must they contend with unusual noises, dust, and debris, but if the crew needs to use their private bathroom, then it can add additional stress to their day. Providing workers with a porta potty provides clients with much needed privacy during an already challenging time.

Ensures Sites Stay Safe and Sanitary

Construction toilet rental ensures that your job sites are always clean and safe for your workers, clients and anyone who visits the construction area. These contained units are designed to protect everyone from dangerous microorganisms, bacteria and disease.

Keeps the Planet Healthy

These days, everybody knows that anything we can do to help keep the planet in good shape is important to our well-being and survival. Portable sanitation units can help in alot ways. For example, since they use very little space and don’t need an on-going water supply, they have very little impact on the earth. I

Helps You Follow the Law

If your city, town or county requires portable toilets on job sites, then you must make sure you have one in place before you start your job. If you are unsure, call your jurisdiction to learn if there are any laws or requirements you should know about. Depending on your project’s specifications, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) may also demand portable toilets for your workers. For instance, if water or sewer lines aren’t working for 72 hours, you must install no less than one portable toilet on your work site. Like other regulations, if you do not comply with the law, your project may be stopped and you can incur costly fines. Therefore, before you begin any building project, make sure to rent construction site portable toilets if they’re required. Even if they’re not required, construction toilet rental is a good idea since they can usually benefit everybody involved with your projects in one way or another.

Whether you’re planning a large scale project or a small home renovation, make sure your crew’s sanitary needs are met with help from the experts!

The post Benefits of Construction Site Portable Bathroom Rentals appeared first on AW Sites.

Restrooms for a Family Reunion

Have a family reunion scheduled for the summer? Then you might be expecting a few very special guests of all sorts of ages. Some of them may even rely on a walking cane, wheelchair or walker to help them get around. Well, wouldn’t it be nice to offer your beloved elderly family members the convenience of having a luxury toilet rental for their immediate access? Or better yet, a ADA handi-cap unit with spacious interiors designed for easier maneuverability? They will appreciate you for going out of your way to make sure that they are not only comfortable, but also safe as well. After all, there is a reason why you are the most favorite grandchild in the family.

Festivals and Events of Special Nature

Now we understand that there may be some instances here you are expecting such a large crowd of people (we’re talking in the hundreds, or even thousands) that you don’t necessarily want to provide such a nice luxury to every single person attending.

Not only is it unnecessary, but let’s face it. If everyone had access to a luxury toilet rental at a large event or show, that they wouldn’t be considered luxurious for long at all! When a large crowd of people comes together, they are usually gathering to see an individual of special importance, or a group of popular stature. Perhaps a public speaker, a musical artist, or a personality of celebrity status. You wouldn’t want to give them just any old ordinary porta potty, would you? Heavens no! You want to give them a nice, clean, private luxury porta potty to enjoy all to themselves. What a great way to say thank you for attending! Not only will you make a great impression, but they may also like it so much that they agree to return in the future for another event!

So regardless of the nature of your special event, having access to luxury portable bathrooms certainly has its perks for both you, and your guests. People will absolutely love and appreciate the efforts you went to in order to give them a nice amenity at your disclosure. They will remember those wonderful porta potty restrooms for many years to come!

If you would like more information about our luxury toilet rentals, or to check availability for the future, please give us a call today. We are here to help you make your event a memorable one!

The post Restrooms for a Family Reunion appeared first on AW Sites.

Whether you are a large commercial contractor or a homeowner clearing out the garage, roll off construction dumpsters are ideal for any project size. We offer a range of roll off dumpsters all at an affordable price.

Roll off dumpsters are ideal for commercial construction sites as well as for removing debris from home renovations, re-roofing jobs, foreclosures and more. You can choose containers as small as 10 cubic yards, perfect for smaller home renovations or yard waste cleanup, up to 40 cubic yard construction containers holding 5 tons of debris. We also provide recycling services for clean heavy debris, tree or yard debris, scrap metals, cardboard, paper, tires or even plastic.

Portable Toilet and Curbside Waste Collection

Roll Off dumpsters are delivered by truck to your site and emptied as frequently as you need. Each of our roll off dumpsters are filled from the open top and equipped with heavy pickup hooks and guide rollers with grease fittings for easy loading and unloading.  After we deliver your roll off dumpster to you on-site, you fill it up and we will take it away.

Learn more about renting your own roll off container dumpster.  Find out which rental dumpster size, type and service will work for you.

Roll Off Dumpster Sizes

10 Yard

Our 10 yard top loading dumpster rentals are at an affordable price and they are perfect for junk removal, or your next small construction or landscaping project.

Size: Their compact size makes them easy to fill without consuming too much property space. Only 4 feet high and 10 feet long, these dumpsters hold approximately 5 full size pick-up truck loads.

Usage: They are ideal for projects such as flooring from a small room, clearing out a garage, or getting rid of small amounts of general household items.

15 Yard

Our 15 yard top loading dumpster rental is larger than the 10 yard but still compact and easy to load. If you are unsure if the 10 yard dumpster is large enough, this size provides a unique compromise between the 10 yard and the 20 yard dumpster.

Size: Four feet high and 12 feet long, the 15 yard container holds approximately 7 pick-up truck loads of debris.

Usage: It is perfect for small basement, attic or garage cleanup, flooring or carpet removal, yard debris, small kitchen or bathroom remodel and much more.

20 Yard

Our 20 yard top loading dumpster rentals are our most popular and are used for medium sized home renovations and projects.

Size: These dumpsters are 4.5 feet high and 22 feet long and hold approximately 10 full size pick-up truck loads.

Usage: This size can hold concrete, siding, landscape debris, brick, flooring or old carpet, or roofing debris from a large home.  It’s great for hoarder clean out projects and is also commonly used for property management and tenant move-outs.

30 Yard

Our 30 yard top loading dumpster rentals are perfect for small construction sites, major demolition projects or a new home construction.

Size: These spacious dumpsters are 6 feet high and 22 feet long and hold enough debris for approximately 15 full size pick-up trucks.

Usage: This size can handle anything from large cleanup projects and commercial construction, to manufacturing facilities and roadside construction. The 30 yard dumpsters are also commonly used for property management tenant move-outs. If you are starting a major home addition, demolition of a garage, large home clean out or a commercial clean out, the 30 yard is perfect for the job.

40 Yard

These construction dumpsters can handle your largest renovation projects and commercial construction sites.

Size: Our 40 yard roll off dumpsters are our largest size dumpster topping out at 8 feet high, 22 feet long and holding approximately 5 tons of debris.

Usage: If you are undertaking a large-scale land clearing project, a total home or commercial demolition, or a massive storm cleanup these dumpsters are what you need. Commercial dumpsters are also commonly used in warehouse loading docks or other industrial facilities such as power plants and paper mills.

A roll-off is a usually open top dumpster characterized by a rectangular footprint, utilizing wheels to facilitate rolling the dumpster in place. The container is designed to be transported by special roll-off trucks. Roll-offs are commonly used to contain loads of construction and demolition waste or other waste types. While most roll-off containers have a swinging door on the end for easier disposal of waste, some roll-off containers are not open top and are used with commercial or industrial trash compactors.

Construction debris may originate from a building site where something is being built, renovated, or demolished. Roll-off dumpsters are also used for various jobs that need much material to be taken away. The material in the roll-off may be taken to a landfill, recycled or disposed/recovered of in some other way.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roll-off_(dumpster)

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Did you know that flight attends are garbage men and women too? Just think about it……. They bring you your snacks drinks on a rolling cart during the flight. As your flight is coming to an end they start their routine route of picking up the garbage and recycle in those tiny small plastic bags. Its really amazing how hard they work having to dodge passengers poking at them, ringing the bell, and most importantly trying to maneuver down a tiny pathway in a closterfobic environment 10,000 feet above the earth. The next time you go on a flight try to think again before you give them a hard time.

http://www.greenamerica.org/PDF/AirlineRecyclingReport.pdf

The post Flight Attendants Are Sanitation Workers Too appeared first on AW Sites.

Helping To Make Cleveland Green

The post Going Green…It’s Our World, Let’s Keep It Clean appeared first on AW Sites.

In special meetings held yesterday, shareholders of Toronto-based Progressive Waste Solutions and The Woodlands, Texas-based Waste Connections approved the previously announced plan of merger between the two firms. The deal is now expected to close on June 1.

Under the plan, originally announced in January, Progressive Waste, Water Merger Sub LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Progressive Waste, and Waste Connections, Inc., a Delaware corporation will merge with Waste Connections continuing as the surviving corporation. The deal is valued around $2.7 billion. The two companies posted more than $4 billion in revenues in 2015. They rank fifth and sixth on the current Waste360 Top 100. After the tie-up, the combined entity will rank third.

A transaction resolution received support from approximately 99.47 percent of the votes cast at Progressive’s meeting. A similar one received more than 99 percent of votes cast at Waste Connection’s meeting.

The combined company is made up of 273 collection operations, 132 transfer stations, 93 landfills, 71 recycling facilities in solid waste and 24 SWD wells and 20 E&P treatment facilities, according to Stifel Managing Director Michael E. Hoffman.

Progressive shareholders also passed a resolution approving a consolidation of the outstanding Progressive shares on the basis of one Progressive share on a post-Consolidation basis for every 2.076843 Progressive Shares outstanding on a pre-Consolidation basis. This resolution also received support from 99.47 percent of the votes cast at Progressive’s meeting..

Upon completion of the merger, Waste Connections stockholders will receive 2.076843 Progressive shares for each share of Waste Connections common stock. Immediately after completion of the merger, every 2.076843 Progressive shares will be converted into one Progressive share.

After the merger and consolidation, Waste Connections stockholders will receive one post-consolidation Progressive Share for each share of Waste Connections common stock held immediately prior to the merger.

Upon completion of the merger, Waste Connections stockholders will own approximately 70 percent of the combined company and Progressive shareholders will own approximately 30 percent of the combined company.

The combined company will use the Waste Connections name and its shares are expected to trade on the New York Stock Exchange and on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol “WCN.”

Hoffman reiterated his “buy” rating on Waste Connections in a research note, writing “The initial SG&A synergy goal in the first twelve months is $50mm with some upside expected. There has been a general assumption and some discussion about operational synergies with a focus on safety, maintenance & repairs and labor and productivity. We believe these efforts could contribute up to $75mm over three years. In addition we look for the NewCo to drive more price leverage in the US operations from BIN.”

http://waste360.com/mergers-and-acquisitions/shareholders-approve-waste-connections-progressive-merger?NL=WST-03&Issue=WST-03_20160527_WST-03_110&sfvc4enews=42&cl=article_1&utm_rid=CPEQW000001125839&utm_campaign=7564&utm_medium=email&elq2=17ff08ff69fe4fa8863faa9b5b7f48dc

The post Waste Connections, Progressive Waste Merger appeared first on AW Sites.

In special meetings held yesterday, shareholders of Toronto-based Progressive Waste Solutions and The Woodlands, Texas-based Waste Connections approved the previously announced plan of merger between the two firms. The deal is now expected to close on June 1.

Under the plan, originally announced in January, Progressive Waste, Water Merger Sub LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Progressive Waste, and Waste Connections, Inc., a Delaware corporation will merge with Waste Connections continuing as the surviving corporation. The deal is valued around $2.7 billion. The two companies posted more than $4 billion in revenues in 2015. They rank fifth and sixth on the current Waste360 Top 100. After the tie-up, the combined entity will rank third.

A transaction resolution received support from approximately 99.47 percent of the votes cast at Progressive’s meeting. A similar one received more than 99 percent of votes cast at Waste Connection’s meeting.

The combined company is made up of 273 collection operations, 132 transfer stations, 93 landfills, 71 recycling facilities in solid waste and 24 SWD wells and 20 E&P treatment facilities, according to Stifel Managing Director Michael E. Hoffman.

Progressive shareholders also passed a resolution approving a consolidation of the outstanding Progressive shares on the basis of one Progressive share on a post-Consolidation basis for every 2.076843 Progressive Shares outstanding on a pre-Consolidation basis. This resolution also received support from 99.47 percent of the votes cast at Progressive’s meeting..

Upon completion of the merger, Waste Connections stockholders will receive 2.076843 Progressive shares for each share of Waste Connections common stock. Immediately after completion of the merger, every 2.076843 Progressive shares will be converted into one Progressive share.

After the merger and consolidation, Waste Connections stockholders will receive one post-consolidation Progressive Share for each share of Waste Connections common stock held immediately prior to the merger.

Upon completion of the merger, Waste Connections stockholders will own approximately 70 percent of the combined company and Progressive shareholders will own approximately 30 percent of the combined company.

The combined company will use the Waste Connections name and its shares are expected to trade on the New York Stock Exchange and on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol “WCN.”

Hoffman reiterated his “buy” rating on Waste Connections in a research note, writing “The initial SG&A synergy goal in the first twelve months is $50mm with some upside expected. There has been a general assumption and some discussion about operational synergies with a focus on safety, maintenance & repairs and labor and productivity. We believe these efforts could contribute up to $75mm over three years. In addition we look for the NewCo to drive more price leverage in the US operations from BIN.

http://waste360.com/mergers-and-acquisitions/shareholders-approve-waste-connections-progressive-merger?NL=WST-03&Issue=WST-03_20160527_WST-03_110&sfvc4enews=42&cl=article_1&utm_rid=CPEQW000001125839&utm_campaign=7564&utm_medium=email&elq2=17ff08ff69fe4fa8863faa9b5b7f48dc

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