Cleanouts and salvage is not thought of as an industry that is likely to be rocked by shifting priorities or technological advancements over the next decade. The demand for commercial cleanout services should remain fairly consistent as long as there are businesses renovating, moving and closing down locations. Floods, fires and other catastrophic events will continue to cause damage that requires professional cleanout services to remedy. There are some innovative cleanout ideas being floated in the industry that aren’t real options yet, but there are some areas that will see change for cleanout companies and customers in the coming years. Read on for three possible cleanout trends.
Three Cleanout Trends to Watch
1. Artificial Intelligence
From cleanout trends to the future of medicine, artificial intelligence is poised to change a lot over the next five to 10 years. How will AI affect the cleanout and salvage industry specifically?
From the customer service side, it’s likely that AI will be used increasingly for things like scheduling services, bill payment and getting answers to simple questions. AI technology could also be used to help cleanout companies assess and strategize about the most efficient way to approach each job. Imagine having technology that can scan a warehouse full of junk, immediately identify different kinds of materials and generate 3D models of the space. It would be a huge time-saver, allowing cleanout service providers to jump right in and start hauling things out without having to walk around the full space to do a visual assessment and make a plan.
It seems likely that AI technology will improve and streamline cleaning processes, too. Many warehouses are already deploying autonomous mobile robots for routine cleaning. Cleanout companies may also be able to utilize smart technology to make it easier and faster to clean and sanitize empty spaces after junk has been removed.
2. Expanded Recycling Possibilities
Much of the junk that cleanout companies haul away is trash, like when a business has been flooded and has to get rid of water-damaged carpets and moldy cardboard boxes. But when a company is moving or closing down, a significant amount of the material that’s hauled away may be recyclable.
As recycling technology advances, we anticipate that more materials recovered from cleanout jobs will be able to be recycled instead of landfilled. For example, right now it’s not cost-effective for polyethylene and polypropylene to be converted into new plastics, so much of these materials end up in landfills. Some exciting advancements in plastics recycling could allow cleanout companies to recycle more of the plastic waste they haul away than is currently possible.
3. Increased Customer Interest in Sustainability and Transparency
This is one of those trends that’s anticipated to affect the recycling industry as a whole over the next decade, not just cleanout companies. Consumers are increasingly aware of the environmental impact of their decisions, especially younger consumers. In a 2022 NielsenIQ survey, 78% of respondents said that a “sustainable lifestyle” is important to them.
Additionally, 51% of consumers said they want companies to reduce waste and 37% said they want companies to reduce their CO2 emissions.
Living in the age of social media has also shaped many consumers’ expectations around corporate transparency. They want businesses to pull back the curtain and be forthcoming about things like hiring practices and sustainability initiatives. Companies that are perceived as being secretive about what goes on behind the scenes are probably going to lose some business to their more transparent competitors as time goes on.
All of which boils down to this: Not every customer who hires a cleanout company is going to ask questions about the fuel efficiency of its trucks or how it manages the waste it hauls away. But, some of those younger people who are growing up with high expectations around sustainability and transparency are going to be decision makers in their own businesses five to 10 years from now. Service providers that are prepared to meet those expectations will be poised to attract a whole new generation of clients.
Need Help with Cleanouts Now?
Miller Recycling has spent decades helping customers with cleanouts and salvage jobs, and we intend to maintain the same high level of reliable service for many years to come. Technology will evolve over time and cleanout trends will change. Meanwhile, we’ll be here to meet your current needs—whether that’s a pre-planned commercial cleanout before your business moves locations, or an emergency cleanup after a flood or other disaster. We can arrive at your location within 24 hours of your call to start emptying out your space. We’ll ensure that all your waste is responsibly landfilled or recycled and that any sensitive materials are destroyed with help from our sister company Northeast Data Destruction.
Have questions about the recycling/cleanout trends I’m seeing, or any questions about cleanout and salvage services? Contact me today.