Dear Property Managers: Don't Make Everyone Pay for Valet Trash Services

Apartment valet trash services have become a common amenity in many residential communities. There's a promise of ease and convenience for tenants. But do tenants actually want the service?

The Appeal of Apartment Valet Trash Services

Apartment valet trash services allow residents to leave their garbage outside their doors for scheduled pickup, eliminating the need to walk to a communal dumpster. For those with mobility issues or busy schedules, this seems like a nice convenience. I've seen places market valet trash as a luxury amenity that enhances community cleanliness and security.

Does Everyone Benefit?

If you're someone that needs the service, you probably have no issue paying the $25 - $50 monthly fee to have your trash taken to the community dumpster. So what's the issue? A quick search of "Apartment Valet Trash" on Reddit will reveal it.

Apartment valet trash is often mandatory: if your complex offers it, you get charged even if you don't use it (at least in my experience). Personally, I hate paying for something I don't use or don't want to use. So why do people have to pay for a service they don't want? The answer: money. 

How do I know? Because I run a valet trash service company. Before you roll your eyes, let me explain.

I co-founded WasteMates with Andy Sholly because of a need that vacation rental property owners have. Some vacation owners have a difficult time coordinating a reliable way to get residential bins to the curb, which results in fines and piled up trash. To me, the model makes sense: owners who have the problem pay us to get rid of the problem. Simple enough.

As we began to grow, I started to think of other markets we could sell into. A light bulb went off when I realized my own apartment complex offered a valet trash service. A perfect fit for WasteMates... or so I thought.

I started doing research and it wasn't long before I found out many complexes, like the one I live at, issue that mandatory charge to every tenant for the service. That means people pay even if they don't want the service. I'm one of those people! I thought this was good news because WasteMates could be different by only charging folks who want the service. It's a no-brainer. I set up a financial model, added "Apartment Valet Trash" to our marketing materials, and prepared myself to run apartment routes. 

Turns out, it's pretty hard to convince property managers to slice their monthly revenue stream. In many instances, the landlords mark-up the monthly service fee charged by the trash vendor. So any new service that allows tenants to "Opt-In" would reduce their monthly cashflow. For example, if only half of the tenants sign-up, there goes half of the monthly revenue for the landlord. 

For a while, I just swept this service offering under the rug. I didn't market it or meet with property managers. The whole thing didn't feel right and it seemed like the service offering developed a bad rap because of the mandatory charges. So I sat on it for a while. Until I decided to write this post. If people agree with me, great! If not, then WasteMates will stay out of the apartment game.

My Suggestion

Service providers should pay a monthly fee to the landlord for the right to sell to their tenants, similar to how vending machine vendors pay for their spot in the building. After all, landlords/property managers deserve their cut! Tenants who want the service can opt-in and pay a monthly fee for the service. Just like they can skip down to the building vending machine for a late-night honey bun. But those that don't want the honey bun don't have to pay for it. The analogy is far-reaching but hopeful it STICKS. Ok relax, I'm almost done. 

Is this ideal for landlords/property managers? Not entirely, since they'd take a hit on monthly cash receipts when people decide not to opt-in for the service. But I'm willing to bet the tenants would be a lot happier. And if that's means anything to landlords, it's a win-win.

Get to the Point Josh

Here's my thoughts - tenants should able to opt-in for their apartment valet trash service. That means property managers, landlords, and valet service vendors need to get onboard. If the landlords need additional cashflows, increase the rents. Don't hide it in a trash service.

If tenants would benefit from the service, let them opt-in and pay for it. Heck, property managers might reduce monthly complaints. If you're cool with that and are willing to give a new start-up a shot, call WasteMates. And if it's not us, try to convince your vendor to give tenants the option to opt-in.

Is it a perfect solution? No. Will it cause some challenges? Probably. Can there even be a market for this service when you give people an option? Who knows - guess we'll just have to let the tenants decide. At least then they'll have a choice.

This blog was written by Josh Sloan, co-founder of WasteMates. If you read the entire post, you can probably tell he's no journalist. Simply put: the post is a series of words that he felt was necessary to post on the 'forever-web'. If you see errors, please contact josh@wastemates.org. See notes below for a few important statements related to the post.

Important notes from the poster - 2/7/2025

• Opinions expressed in this post are based on my personal experiences. Not all companies are the same. It is entirely possible that my experience with apartment valet trash services is unique. But it's my experience. 

• There may be an argument that requiring everyone to have the valet service has its benefits for the residents. That can certainly be true. But from where I'm sitting, I don't see how that warrants a mandatory charge for everyone. 

• If you are a valet trash service company / property manager / landlord that allows tenants to opt-in to this service... I'll say it plainly: thank you and you're awesome. Keep it up!