Posts

Garbage Companies

Is Traditional Waste Management Dead? SBC Waste Solutions Thinks So

/0 Comments/in /by

Is Traditional Waste Management Dead? SBC Waste Solutions Thinks So

In a world where waste management practices are evolving at a rapid pace, traditional methods of handling garbage may soon become a thing of the past. One company leading the charge in revolutionizing waste management is SBC Waste Solutions, spearheaded by Karen Coley. Since its inception in 2018, SBC Waste Solutions has experienced exponential growth, challenging the notion that traditional waste management is here to stay.

With a background in the trucking industry, Karen Coley is no stranger to managing large vehicles and expenses. Under her leadership, SBC Waste Solutions has made impressive strides in a short period of time. What started as a small venture has now blossomed into a thriving business with 40,000 to 50,000 customers and a fleet of over 50 trucks.

Shawn Flood of SBC Waste Solutions proudly reflects on their remarkable growth journey: “In five years, we’ve gone from zero sales to looking to finish this year at about $35 million, which we should add next year to over $45 million. Our goal is to reach $100 million by the year 2028. That’s our goal, to be a $100 million company by the year 2028. Which, in this industry, is pretty improbable.”

However, the rising costs of essential equipment, vehicles, and fuel pose challenges to SBC Waste Solutions. Flood acknowledges the financial hurdles in the waste management industry, stating, “The waste business is almost impossible to do properly because it’s so financially challenging. A garbage truck costs $400,000 right now. The dumpster on wheels you put behind the convenience store costs about $1,000. It’s very capital-intensive. So people just don’t go around starting garbage companies. You don’t see that in this market. There are only six companies in the whole Chicago market.”

Garbage Companies

Garbage Companies

As a smaller and newer company, SBC Waste Solutions faces disadvantages, particularly when dealing with truck sales companies. Flood expresses disappointment in their recent experience and believes that biases may be at play: “We’re trying to get more trucks, and they won’t take us seriously. I feel like something’s going on, with us being a woman-owned company or something. We try to change the narrative like, ‘Hey, guys, embrace us.’ Some companies still have an old way of thinking, feeling they need to deliver their trucks to the dealers and the big guys, and not a smaller company like us. We’re trying to change that narrative.”

Despite these challenges, SBC Waste Solutions remains committed to sustainable and eco-friendly practices. Karen Coley envisions a future where waste management goes beyond simply picking up garbage. The company is exploring innovative solutions and expanding into recycling, processing their own recyclables, and even considering the establishment of a construction and demolition facility. Additionally, they are actively pursuing solar energy to power their operations.

Flood outlines their plans for the future: “We’re at a point now financially where we’re actually looking to start developing our own automated recycling facility, which will be automated with robots and other cutting-edge technology. Then we can start taking all our waste and recycling to our own facility for processing it ourselves, instead of paying someone else for that service.”

However, SBC Waste Solutions’ focus extends beyond profits. They are equally dedicated to enhancing their community. Coley identified an industrial area with 20 businesses and envisioned a greener future. Through collaboration with the local companies and the mayor, the Solar Initiative was born in Broadview, a suburb of Chicago.

Karen Coley and her majority-woman-owned SBC Waste Solutions are transforming the landscape of waste management in Chicagoland. Their commitment to innovation and sustainability is reshaping traditional approaches to garbage disposal. As they continue to push boundaries and challenge industry norms, the ideas keep rolling, propelling SBC Waste Solutions as a driving force in the waste management sector.

2401 Gardner Rd, Broadview, IL 60155
(312) 522-1115
sbc-earth-day-2021-blog

Earth Day 2021 and the Impact of Waste Management

/0 Comments/in /by

The theme for Earth Day 2021 is “Restore Our Earth”, which is a theme that focuses on reversing the effects of climate change through education, technology, and other strategies. The waste industry plays an important role in the overall well-being of the planet because it directly influences where trash ends up. As one of the prominent garbage companies in Chicago, we want to do our part to raise awareness about how we as a society can keep the planet clean and preserve natural resources for future generations.

How the Waste Industry Plays a Major Role in Earth Day

Waste management can have a critical effect on ecosystems. A lot of trash ends up in the ground, in the water, or even in the air when garbage is burned. This can devastate plants, animals, and humans who need water, air, and nutrient-rich soil to survive. One of the major goals of Earth Day 2021 is to promote climate and environmental literacy. Garbage companies have the ability to make a difference by raising awareness about how to properly dispose of waste and by educating their residents on the benefits of recycling. Waste production will be an important issue moving forward because the world’s population continues to increase each year. More people means more waste. One of the only ways to offset this is to encourage recycling efforts and to promote the use of reusable products over single-used items.

How SBC Plans to Celebrate Earth Day

As a new waste company in Chicago, Earth Day is one of the most important days of the year for us. One way we will be celebrating this year is by participating in the Broader Sustainability Initiative right here in the Village of Broadview. In honor of the 51st anniversary of Earth Day, Mayor Katrina Thompson will host a celebratory event where she will also introduce a new environmental sustainability plan focused on equity, resiliency, and climate protection. We started the company because we care deeply about the environment, and we wanted to do our part to safeguard the health of the planet by reducing pollution and promoting responsible waste removal. SBC is excited to be a leader in Broadview and the Chicago area by being the first solar powered office and lead the initiative for Illinois’ first Solar Power Corridor. Earth Day started in the 1960s as a way to promote environmental education in the US and to put environmental issues on the political agenda. Since then, it has become a worldwide movement to advocate for environmental issues across the globe. As we celebrate Earth Day 2021, we encourage everyone to think about what they can do as individuals to help the planet. Whether that means volunteering for community cleanup, recycling more, or simply staying informed about environmental issues, we can all play a part in restoring the Earth’s natural resources.