Some people look in dumpsters for food or valuable items. While this seems innocuous, this can cause problems for your small business. You can’t let people dig through the waste of your day. Here are 5 deterrents to keep dumpster divers away from your store.
Cameras
People aren’t going to dive through your dumpster if they know that they are being watched. Place cameras outside. Put them somewhere difficult to reach but easy enough to see. You may even want to get a security system that alerts you when someone dives into your commercial garbage can. If you can’t afford a whole system, consider just placing a sign stating that the area is being monitored.
Keep the Dumpster Well Lit
People don’t want to jump into a dumpster that’s well lit. Light can help deter people. Install good lights and keep them on all night. This will also increase safety for anyone walking behind the store in the dark, including employees.
Restrict Access
One of the best ways to stop people from getting to your dumpster is to put it in an enclosed area with commercial fencing. The fence should come with a lock and be difficult to break into. Otherwise, it won’t get the job done. Only give certain people access to the key.
Hire Security
If you really want to make a difference, you can hire a security team to watch your place of business at night. They will watch the dumpsters for you and alert the proper authorities in the case someone is in there. They will also watch the rest of your store at the same time.
Shred Important Documents
Most people think of dumpster divers as someone who is scavenging for food. However, some people are looking for something a little more damaging to your company. You should shred all of the important documents before throwing them out. Important documents include anything with customer information, especially financial information. If someone gets this information, they could potentially steal your customer’s information.
You want to keep your business safe. To do this, you need to deter people from getting into your dumpster. These tips will ensure that you don’t have to deal with any pesky dumpster divers. It takes a little bit of effort and money, but you know that your business and your employees are safe.
Kara Masterson is a freelance writer from West Jordan, Utah. She graduated from the University of Utah and enjoys writing and spending time with her dog, Max.
