The Ultimate Waste Solution
Roll-off dumpster. Portable toilets. All-in-one! Meet redbox+ of Denver Metro South
Ever since he was a kid, Colorado native George Gavrilis wanted to drive a big truck.
The moment he first sat behind the wheel of a redbox+ truck, with its patented, one-of-a-kind combination dumpster and portable toilet, he knew he’d found his truck and his new business. Today, he is the owner of redbox+ of Denver Metro South, providing waste disposal to general contractors, roofers, restoration and other construction companies.
George earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Colorado. He had successful careers in both the telecommunications and aerospace industries. After serving in several senior-level positions, he was ready for a new challenge: owning his own business. “I was looking for a franchise opportunity where I could use my experience and knowledge to build a business with a strong culture, grounded in values,” says George. He opened his redbox+ franchise in August 2019.
The business delivers and services its patented dumpster and portable toilet combination units at construction sites in Parker, Castle Rock, Aurora, Lakewood, Englewood, Littleton, Centennial and the surrounding Denver South Metro area. They also serve some of the harder to reach areas that many other roll-off companies don’t, such as Evergreen, Morrison, Elizabeth and Franktown.
“The 20- and 30-yard capacity roll-off waste containers have a portable toilet attached to the front, which can be serviced on-site,” George explains. “The concept streamlines getting rid of garbage and providing bathroom facilities.”
Customers span the construction industry, including roofing, exterior restoration, fire and water remediation and window and siding companies. “We specialize in serving customers who have a high volume of site waste, for example, those who fill up dumpsters quickly at multiple job sites,” George says.
Two Services, One Call, One Delivery
“No one wants to delay the start of a project waiting on delivery of dumpsters and portable toilets. Nor do they want the equipment sitting at the job site once the work is done,” George says.
The innovative redbox+ design makes it easier and more efficient to schedule and coordinate service compared to managing two different vendors and two different deliveries. Customers make one call to redbox+ for both services and one delivery at their job sites. There is also only one call to make for pickup when the job is complete. The streamlined service increases efficiency and convenience of waste management.
Response time for delivery and pickup is typically within 24 hours of the request. “Some customers need to keep a dumpster for six to eight weeks for a project; roofers and exterior restoration projects may require two or three dumpster swaps a week to handle large amounts of demolition and trash removal,” George says. “They fill it; we swap it out.”
In addition to its combo units, the company also offers standard 20- and 30-yard waste dumpsters without the toilet attachment to accommodate project requirements. “For example, a customer may prefer to go with a standard unit during the first week of a job, when daily turns of full dumpsters are required, and then switch to the dumpster and toilet unit for the remainder of the project,” George explains. <“We’re flexible. It’s all about the customer.”
"We specialize in serving customers who have a high volume of site waste, for example, those who fill up dumpsters quickly at multiple job sites.” George Gavrilis, Owner, redbox+ of Denver Metro South
Patented Technology Inspired by Experience
The redbox+ design was the brainchild of Jeff Matejka, a veteran of the waste industry. During his extensive career, he observed that portable restrooms and waste containers are typically placed randomly at job sites, without regard for efficiency or convenience. He knew there had to be a better way. “Jeff came up with the concept of a combined unit, sketched it on a napkin, made the product, got the patent and here we are today,” George says.
The design received “Innovation of the Year” award during WasteExpo 2007, North America’s largest solid waste and recycling trade show. There’s always excitement on the job site when Lead Driver Lowry Peacock delivers a redbox+ unit. “The concept of attaching a port-a-potty to a dumpster is ingenious,” Lowry says. “The foremen have never seen anything like this. They think it’s a great idea.”
Lowry grew up visiting project sites; his father worked in construction and recently retired. “Dad said he would have loved to have access to these units on his job site,” he says.
When the dumpster is full, the customer schedules a pickup, which includes cleaning the portable toilet, disposal of materials and return of the full-serviced dumpster within the same day.
The redbox+ units are bright red. “These dumpsters are manufactured to be incredibly durable,” Lowry notes. “A powder-coat paint process ensures the paint lasts longer compared to the typical paint job on a dumpster. This is not the stereotypical rusty, dented dumpster.”
Keeping It Clean on Construction Sites
Having a portable restroom on a construction site is an OSHA standard and considered a best practice. The enclosed redbox+ design provides the convenience of a bathroom on-site as well as environmental and reputational benefits—the units are secure and clean.
Portable toilets don’t clean themselves. The units are serviced by redbox+ employees at the client’s site. “We clean and maintain the facilities at the same time we pick up loads. Clean facilities are a positive for everyone on the job site,” George says.
The company’s trucks have a 98-gallon holding tank for wastewater and a pump system, including a 30-foot hose and wand. “Our driver turns on the pump to create suction and uses the hose with wand to refresh the toilet, accessing a 35-gallon freshwater tank. The entire system is self-contained on the truck,” George explains.
Because the toilets are fixed onto dumpsters, they can’t be tipped over. This is an added safety and sanitation factor for residential customers and commercial customers, as well as a selling point. “Wind is an issue for many area job sites. If unattached, a windstorm can wreak havoc on port-a-potties,” Lowry says.
“We’ve heard from many customers that their subcontractors come to the job site, see the unit, use it and love it. They’ve had nothing but great things to say about it,” George adds. Not surprisingly, customer retention is high.
Operating on Core Values: People First
George created a list of core values that guides the company operations. “First on the list is employees and customers are family,” he says. “That’s No. 1. We want to keep that personal approach to our business and have a strong connection with our employees and customers, always.”
The team meets weekly—usually at a sports bar—to discuss any immediate issues and review the company values document, plus quarterly and long-term goals and objectives. “We make sure everyone understands the big picture,” George says. He is committed to creating an open and comfortable atmosphere where people enjoy coming to work. “I encourage people to share their ideas and feel they’re a valued part of the team. I want them to enjoy what they’re doing.”
Those core values are also discussed during the interview process to ensure that new hires are a great fit. New employees receive thorough training, including video and hands-on instruction on the company’s standardized processes, from placing dumpsters to servicing the portable bathrooms.
George is committed to establishing a strong local business presence. The company was recently accredited with the Better Business Bureau serving Greater Denver and Central Colorado and is a member of the Colorado Roofing Association. He is already finding ways to give back in the community, including working with nonprofit organizations like Habitat for Humanity.
Growing a Dream Team
Lowry, one of George’s first team members, is excited about being a part of a new business that values employee input. He brings significant experience to his role and to the company. After studying journalism in college, he worked in a variety of roles, including serving in the military, serving as a police officer and working in logistics and trucking.
“When I saw the redbox+ concept, the equipment and leadership in place, it wasn’t difficult to jump on board,” Lowry says. “George is a great leader, coming from the corporate side with extensive business experience. He wants this to be a family-oriented environment. We want people who will uphold the values George has set and who will be happy with the environment we’re working in.”
As the company grows, George is committed to maintaining its people- focused environment. “My goal is to find people who are reliable, appreciate our culture and thrive on our core values.” The rest, he says, can be taught.