April 08, 2026
Waste management has come a long way from the days of a single dumpster behind the building. Today, property owners and managers are navigating a complex landscape shaped by evolving regulations, expanding recycling and composting programs, and rising expectations from residents and investors alike. What used to be a simple, behind-the-scenes operation has become a system that requires planning, oversight, and strategy.
Tedd Schonsheck, waste strategist and industry expert, explains that the change is driven by three main factors: accessibility, regulation, and resident expectations. "People have wanted to recycle for a long time. Companies have wanted to show sustainability commitments. Investors have been pushing for it. But until recently, a lot of these services simply weren't available at scale," he says. Now, with infrastructure in place and haulers offering new programs, what was once optional has become operationally essential.
For property teams, this shift means waste management can't be treated as a static line item. Beyond ensuring dumpsters are emptied on time, it now requires careful coordination of multiple streams—recycling, composting, bulk waste, electronic waste, and even the growing challenge of lithium-ion batteries. It involves contract management, invoice auditing, regulatory tracking, and educating residents to ensure compliance with local ordinances.
Schonsheck emphasizes that waste management is dynamic: "A property's needs can shift throughout the year. Occupancy changes. Resident behavior changes. Even something like remote work can affect how much waste is generated." He recalls the COVID-19 surge in residential waste when people were home ordering online, highlighting the need for periodic review and adjustment.
The ultimate goal, he explains, is a system that works so well nobody notices it. When waste is managed properly, it runs seamlessly in the background, preventing issues before they arise. "Attention to detail is everything," he says. "The details bridge the gap between what clients need and what haulers provide. Get the details right, and everything else falls into place."
For property managers, the takeaway is clear: expect change. Waste management may seem simple, but it's evolving constantly. By working with experts and keeping a proactive approach, property teams can meet sustainability goals, comply with regulations, and ensure operations run smoothly—without ever needing to think twice about the trash.
Source: Conservice