About
Hi! I am Nick Miller
Welcome to the only waste & recycling blog written by someone who actually ran the trucks.
I spent 12 years (2011–2023) building and operating a 42-truck waste hauling and valet trash company across Texas and Florida. We serviced over 1,800 apartment doors at peak, fought bulk-trash fires, dealt with compactors that caught fire (literally), and figured out what actually moves the needle for property managers and owners.
I sold the last route in 2023, walked away from the 3 a.m. emergency calls, and started writing down everything I wish someone had told me — and everything I now see property managers still getting wrong in 2025.
No sponsored posts. No affiliate links. No sales pitches disguised as content. Just straight, no-BS insight from someone who’s been on the ground, paid the insurance claims, and seen which “solutions” actually work and which ones just create new headaches.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is valet trash really worth the cost in 2025?
Yes — and the math is clearer than ever. Most properties see full ROI within 4–6 months through lower labor costs, reduced bulk-trash hauler fees, and higher resident renewal rates. The average 250+ unit complex saves $38k–$62k per year once you factor in all the hidden costs of traditional trash.
3. What’s the resident complaint rate with doorstep pickup?
Properly run valet trash drops complaints 70–90%. The biggest mistake people make is still using paper checklists in 2025. Switch to QR checkpoints and photo verification and complaints almost disappear overnight.
2. Can we switch to in-house servicing instead of outsourcing valet trash?
You can, and plenty of larger owners are doing it now. The breakeven is usually around 800–1,000 doors. Below that, third-party valet is almost always cheaper and less headache. I ran both models — happy to break down the real numbers.
4. Are residents actually willing to pay for valet trash as an added fee?
In 2025 surveys, 79% of renters now say they’ll choose (or stay at) a property that offers doorstep pickup over one that doesn’t — even at $25–$35/month. It’s gone from “nice-to-have” to expected amenity in most Sun Belt markets.