Fero adds motivational slogans to dumpster fleet

A Moncton waste management company is hoping some catchy sayings will brighten up what otherwise can be a dreary routine — taking out the garbage.

For years now, Fero Waste and Recycling Inc. has been using its fleet of dumpsters around the region to communicate feel good — even inspirational —  messages.

The Portland Pub is one of Saint John's most popular lunch spots.

Tim Merzetti, a bartender, is often making trips to empty the trash. On these occasions, Merzetti said he is always greeted warmly by the dumpster.

"'Have a Nice Day.' If you're having a bad day you come out and see that, it might just change your mood, you never know right," he said.

Fero, which operates across the region, puts its name and phone number on each dumpster.

But it also leaves space for messages, such as: Never Give Up, Seize the Day, Don't Do Drugs, Stay in School, Smile, Be Happy and Safety.

Andrew King, the company’s director of special projects, said the staff draw up the messages on a computer and then print each one onto decals.

The messages are added to the dumpsters when they are returned to the shop for repairs or a new paint job.

"If we can have an effect on somebody, somewhere, at some time, we thought that would be a great way to do it," King said.

King said there’s no agenda underlying the messages or major commercial benefit to display them.

He said it’s just something that helps Fero — Be Happy.