Attention San Carlos parents: Do your kids ever take out the trash? Then this is a must-read. Let’s be honest, most of us probably don’t clean our garbage bins regularly, if at all. But did you know that dangerous bacteria like Salmonella, E.coli, and Listeria can thrive in those bins if left uncleaned?
These bacteria can cause anything from mild to severe infections, leading to issues like diarrhea, UTIs, pneumonia, meningitis, bacteremia, and in severe cases, spinal fluid infections.
To put it into perspective, the CDC estimates that Salmonella alone causes over a million illnesses, thousands of hospitalizations, and hundreds of deaths in the US each year. E. Coli is no joke either, with tens of thousands of illnesses and thousands of hospitalizations annually.
These stats should make us all sit up and take notice of bin cleanliness. Luckily, one San Carlos resident has come up with a solution.
Meet George Houston, a US Marine veteran and longtime San Carlos resident. After a career in law enforcement spanning over 25 years, George retired gracefully and started his own business: the first semi-automated trash-bin cleaning service in town. Launched in March 2021 during the pandemic, Bins 2B Cleaned now serves over 300 homes in San Mateo County, mostly in Redwood City and San Carlos.
Using pressurized hot water and an EPA-approved deodorizer, Bins 2B Cleaned leaves your bin sparkling and smelling fresh. Born in Bakersfield and raised in Foster City, George has deep roots in the area. After serving in the military, he met his wife while working at JCPenney, and they’ve been happily married for over 20 years, raising their children, now teenagers, in San Carlos.
We understand you started your business in March 2021, and that you are the first one to offer this kind of service in San Mateo? Sounds amazing!
I actually came across someone cleaning bins on social media. Intrigued, I dove into research and knew this was something San Mateo County needed!
I’m not the first but very close. I believe there was someone else that attempted the business prior to me but I don’t have any concrete information on that just word of mouth.
It’s been more than two years! 😊How has business been and what kind of feedback have you been getting from your customers?
I am very grateful to say Bins 2B Cleaned is doing extremely well! We have over 300 customers with recurring plans and have had several one-time customers. I have been receiving wonderful feedback, along with several glowing Google Reviews!
I am so fortunate with the amazing customers and community in San Mateo County, we haven’t had one person disappointed with their service!
What area in San Mateo do you have the most customers in? How have you been reaching out to the people in San Carlos?
We service from South San Francisco to Palo Alto, both residential and commercial. I believe Redwood City has the most customers with San Carlos a close second.
From your experience, why should people have their bins cleaned regularly and what dangers can they avoid by doing this?
Having dirty cans not only invites pesky animals like racoons, flies and maggots. It also invites dangerous bacteria into your home! Salmonella, E. Coli are just a couple of the bacteria’s that can grow in your garbage cans.
Being a parent myself, it was never something I even thought I should be concerned about, but after learning all the bacteria’s that can be passed through my garbage cans to my family – they haven’t been dirty since!
It’s a no brainer and something I recommend to everyone! That’s not something you want to be exposed too!
How long does it take to clean the bins? And what chemicals do you use?
Our service typically takes between 20-40 minutes. It depends on a few factors including how dirty the can is. Nothing is ever done halfway at Bins 2B Cleaned, and all cans are cleaned thoroughly with care!
The cleaning process- we start with high pressurized water that reaches temperatures over 190°F. The water pressure will remove any liquids or food that rodents and bacteria feed on. The water temperature disinfects the trash can, removing any existing bacteria sitting inside.
All waste water is collected in the truck’s waste tank and properly disposed of offsite and the trash cans are deodorized with an EPA-approved formula.
About San Carlos
What do you like best about this town?
I love everything about San Carlos! My wife and I have been fortunate enough to have raised our 3 children here! Although all have graduated we have loved the school district, the sports programs, and the 4-H program in San Carlos.
In almost 30 years of living in this town, what do you think has changed over the years, and was it for better or for worst? What improvements do you hope to see?
The biggest change I have seen in San Carlos is the number of people and the all of the new housing. Yet it still has kept the small town feel, my wife and I fell in love with almost 30 years ago!
Can you name your favorites in San Carlos: (1) your favorite restaurant, (2) your favorite shop, (3) favorite event in town-
One of my favorite restaurants is Town and can of course never turn down a Nothing Bundt Cakes.
One of my favorite activities here is hometown days! When my kids were small they participated in Treasure Hunters and that really gets the kids into the history of the town!
San Carlos has been the best place in all stages of my life! From a newlywed, new parent, navigating teenagers, and now a business owner, it is truly the city of good living!
Contact George at Bins 2B Cleaned
- Phone Number: +1 (650) 523 9300
- Website and Booking: https://bins2bcleaned.com/
Resources
- “Building a foundation for the responsible child” by Michigan State University
- “Epidemiology of Escherichia coli O157:H7 Outbreaks, United States, 1982–2002” from National Library of Medicine
- “Questions and Answers about Salmonella” from the CDC
- San Carlos Living Magazine – Interview with Bins 2B Cleaned
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