In the restoration industry, we pride ourselves on being problem solvers. We manage complex water losses, mitigate microbial contamination, handle construction debris, and coordinate detailed logistics daily. Yet sometimes, the most brilliant solution isn’t complex at all.
Sometimes, it’s smaller.
The Backstory: A Lot of “Trash” Talk
Like many supplies in today’s economy, trash bag prices have increased. For restoration companies, that matters—we use a lot of them.
At the same time, we were developing training around waste management, inspired by a simple but telling observation from a colleague:
“Everyone laughs, but you can tell the new people on a water loss because they overfill the trash bags.”
That statement carries more operational truth than humor.
Overfilled trash bags lead to:
- Safety risks from lifting excessive weight
- Torn bags and secondary damage
- Production inefficiencies
- Material waste
- Increased costs
During one particularly reflective moment—after noticing an odor issue and removing a bag that still had room for more debris—I began mentally spiraling through all the complexities:
- Rising supply costs
- The need for better training
- Choosing the right bag for the right debris
- Safety concerns
- Environmental impact
And then a co-worker calmly asked:
“Did you ever think of buying smaller trash bags?”
The Answer: No
After more than two decades of buying the same size bag, it had never occurred to me.
That’s the humbling part.
We had been focused on training, compliance, cost increases, and operational inefficiencies. But we had not questioned the most basic assumption: Was this even the right bag size?
The Brilliance of a Smaller Trash Bag
What seemed like a minor suggestion revealed multiple benefits.
1️⃣ Safety
Smaller bags naturally limit weight capacity.
This reduces:
- Lifting injuries
- Strain on technicians
- Risk of dropping debris
In restoration environments where safety is paramount, that alone is significant.
2️⃣ Reduced Secondary Damage & Greater Efficiency
Overfilled bags break. When they break:
- Debris spills
- Cleanup time increases
- Productivity drops
- Professionalism suffers
A smaller bag discourages overloading and minimizes failure risk.
3️⃣ Cost Savings & Environmental Impact
Smaller bags:
- Cost less per unit
- Reduce wasted unused space
- Better match construction debris weight limits
- Decrease material waste
It was a simple purchasing adjustment with operational, financial, and environmental benefits.
Leadership Lessons Hidden in the Trash
This experience reinforced several powerful business principles relevant to restoration business management and strategy.
🔹 Challenge “The Way We’ve Always Done It”
Nearly 21 years of purchasing the same product created complacency. Continuous improvement requires regularly questioning assumptions—even about everyday supplies.
If nobody challenges the status quo, inefficiencies become normalized.
🔹 Invite Fresh Perspectives
New team members often see what seasoned professionals overlook. Encourage them to share observations. A culture that welcomes input fosters innovation.
Fresh eyes identify opportunities.
🔹 Clearly Define the Problem
Before solving anything, define the actual issue.
In this case, the real problem wasn’t “trash bag price increases.” It was:
- Overfilling
- Weight concerns
- Safety risk
- Waste
Once clearly identified, the solution became obvious.
🔹 Listen
My co-worker was listening to my rambling.
And then I listened to him.
Strong leadership requires active listening—not just waiting to speak. Simple solutions often come from the team members closest to the work.
🔹 Beware of Overcomplicating
As restorers, we are wired to solve complex problems. But not every problem requires a sophisticated system, policy overhaul, or elaborate training module.
Sometimes:
- A simple operational adjustment solves the issue.
- A smaller tool is the right tool.
- A basic change creates measurable improvement.
Complex industries do not always require complex solutions.
Final Thought
The restoration industry is filled with technical challenges and logistical complexities. Yet leadership growth often happens in the smallest, most ordinary moments.
Sometimes the brilliance truly is in the simplicity of the solution.
And sometimes, it starts with a smaller trash bag.
Click here to read Lisa’s entire article: https://www.randrmagonline.com/articles/89416-sometimes-the-brilliance-is-in-the-simplicity-of-the-solution?oly_enc_id=5013H5676790D8Z
