Footage obtained by Denver's FOX31 highlights a problem we have been aware of for many years now. Waste haulers misbehaving is nothing new, and nothing surprises us anymore.

Video shows Waste Management workers trying to frame a customer by overloading a dumpster. The workers then take a photo of the overloaded dumpster and email it to the customer with a  $120 penalty fee.

Fees, the new revenue stream.

First off, we are disgusted by the behavior of what looks to be a couple of bad apples. WM did contact the customer after the video was released and offered to make things right.

We are more concerned however, with how easy we are to accept something like an overload fee on our garbage bill. This fee could be as much as three times the amount of the contracted service fee. Outrageous. A smarter, more customer-orientated would be to talk to the customer about upsizing to a larger container if they are consistently overflowing.

Unfortunately for us, fees are considered a revenue stream by your hauler. A common trick to gain business or to get a customer to switch haulers is to offer a low monthly service rate. Once the customer is locked in and under contract, the hauler adds unnecessary fees, overcharges, or random billing errors that cost you thousands over the life of your contract.

Just say no to hidden fees.

It is up to us to keep haulers honest. Stop accepting random and unnecessary fees on your garbage bill. Question every line item. Chances are there might not be a good reason for every fee on your statement.

Are you paying too much?

Add up all your monthly fees and run them through our Waste Auditor to find out if your prices are in line for your region. We aren't collecting your email address, making you register for something, or even making you download an app. Fill out the form, get your audit. It's that simple.