How do I find out if a sweeping company’s disposal arrangements are workable?

Disposal is easy to overlook until it becomes a problem. A sweeping truck fills quickly, and every load needs a place to go. Ask the seller to describe the whole chain: where trucks unload, who owns that site, what the operator is charged and how those charges have moved over time.

Find out whether the arrangement is a written agreement or a handshake. If it is verbal, ask what would happen if the site closed or changed its terms. Ask whether there is a second option nearby and how much farther the trucks would have to travel.

Some debris is not ordinary. Sweepings from certain commercial or industrial lots may need different handling. Ask whether the company has ever been refused a load, received a notice or paid for a clean-up. Ask your lawyer or the relevant authority what applies to your situation. Finally, confirm that the site operator will deal with a new owner on the same terms, and get that in writing before closing. Ask also about the cost of the drive to the site and whether the hours it is open suit your routes.

Key takeaways

• Trace the whole chain: drop site, hauler, charges and paperwork.
• Ask about refused loads, notices or clean-up costs in the past.
• Get the site operator’s agreement to deal with you as the new owner.
• Visit the drop site and talk to its operator if the seller agrees.