“Subcontain is introducing the biggest innovation in commercial trash collection in the U.S. in over 50 years."
The Dumpster of the Future: How Subcontain is Disrupting Waste Management One Semi-Inground Unit at a Time
Harry Clayton, John Dobson, and Ian Paradis didn’t set out to reinvent the dumpster. But somewhere between decades of experience in construction, retail, and waste management, the three friends saw a common problem - and an even better solution. That solution became
Subcontain, a revolutionary new take on the most unglamorous but essential component of any business: the trash bin.
As the exclusive USA distributor
In the United States, the restaurant industry is a significant contributor to food waste. Estimates suggest that fast food establishments alone are responsible for approximately 32 billion pounds of this waste each year. On a per establishment basis, the average restaurant produces between 50,000 to 75,000 pounds of waste annually, equating to several hundred pounds daily for larger establishments. This substantial waste not only represents a loss of valuable resources but also contributes significantly to environmental issues, including increased greenhouse gas emissions from decomposing food in landfills.
Now, in a bold and timely move, Subcontain is set to franchise its groundbreaking system across the United States. If they succeed, they won’t just change how businesses handle their trash - they’ll redefine what it means to operate sustainably, efficiently, and intelligently in the waste management world.
Restaurants Create JOBS...and TRASH
Let’s face it: traditional dumpsters are eyesores. They’re bulky, smelly, easy targets for illegal dumping, and they take up valuable parking and business space. Subcontain turns that entire narrative on its head.
At its core, Subcontain’s innovation lies in a simple but radical idea: move the bulk of the trash container underground, while making the collection process smarter and cleaner. Inspired by vertical inground waste containment systems that have gained widespread acceptance across Europe, Asia, and other parts of the world, Subcontain brings this high efficiency solution to American soil - literally.
The result is a vertically oriented, partially underground container system that offers a sleek, discreet aboveground profile - think of it as the submarine of dumpsters.
How It Works
Here’s the magic: instead of the conventional, boxy steel dumpster hogging a slab of pavement, Subcontain's unit drops most of the container underground. The aboveground portion is a lowprofile, aesthetically designed module that’s both customizable and secure. With only one third of the structure visible, the unit can be tucked into tight spaces, preserving parking and pedestrian zones - critical real estate for restaurants, retail locations, apartment complexes, and more.
But the design is more than just good looking. Functionally, it’s brilliant. The depth and vertical shape of the unit means gravity naturally compacts the trash over time, a phenomenon known as selfcompaction. This allows each unit to hold considerably more waste between hauls, ultimately reducing pickup frequency and cutting trash hauling costs by approximately 30%.
And there’s more. Because the container is largely underground and sealed, odors are dramatically reduced, rodents and pests are deterred, and unauthorized access or illegal dumping becomes a near impossibility.
The Subcontain Story
Subcontain’s founding trio are not just entrepreneurs - they’re seasoned operators who’ve lived the pain points of bad waste management firsthand.
Harry Clayton, the CEO of Subcontain knows what it’s like to deal with overflowing dumpsters behind a busy kitchen. Harry is the owner of Clayton Construction a 50 year old leader in the construction field which constructs, QSR, and multiple other projects across multiple states. John Dobson, a veteran in waste management, construction and logistics, has tackled thousands of projects where traditional containers created more problems than they solved. Ian Paradis brings his own background in retail operations and site management, understanding the high cost of inefficient trash systems.
Together, they asked the right question: what if we could do better?
They started by researching global best practices in waste containment. That led them to the concept of underground vertical trash bin systems designed and manufactured by Molok - widely used across Europe and parts of Canada. These systems weren’t just aesthetically pleasing; they worked better, cost less over time, and were engineered for efficiency.
Then came the twist: rather than just importing a system or using it as a side business, they made it the heart of a scalable, franchiseready model. Subcontain was born.
Why Subcontain Makes Sense - Now More Than Ever
Let’s put this in context. Sustainability isn’t just a buzzword - it’s a bottomline imperative. Cities are tightening waste ordinances. Businesses are being held to higher environmental standards. Consumers are voting with their wallets, favoring eco conscious brands.
Subcontain checks every box:
Economic benefits
Environmental benefits
Franchising the Future
Now, Subcontain is preparing to roll out its franchise model nationwide, making it the first U.S.based company to franchise a semi-inground dumpster system
For potential franchisees, this is a golden opportunity to get in on the ground floor of a concept that already has global validation. The units have been successfully deployed in municipalities, residential developments, commercial plazas, and even urban parks worldwide. But until now, no one in the U.S. had cracked the code to make it scalable and accessible for small to midsized businesses.
The Subcontain franchise model offers a complete package - training, equipment, technology, and sales support - with a clear and compelling value proposition for end users. Whether it’s pitching to restaurant groups, hotel chains, shopping centers, multifamily property owners, or municipal buyers, franchisees will be armed with a product that sells itself.
The Untapped Market
America generates over 292 million tons of waste annually. That’s a lot of garbage - and a lot of opportunity. As urban density increases and cities look for more efficient ways to manage waste, traditional dumpsters will increasingly feel like relics of the past.
Subcontain isn't just capitalizing on that shift. It's leading it.
The company is already seeing strong interest from franchise consultants, investors, and business owners looking for innovative, high demand opportunities. With low overhead, a compelling ecoangle, and a product that clearly solves a problem, Subcontain stands at the crossroads of need and innovation.
A Cleaner, Smarter, More Sustainable Tomorrow
The future of waste management isn’t louder, messier, or bigger - it’s smarter, quieter, more discrete, and inground.
Subcontain proves that even something as mundane as garbage can be reinvented with a little ingenuity, a lot of experience, and a bold vision. As the company gears up for its national franchise launch, it’s offering entrepreneurs a chance to clean up - in more ways than one.
With Subcontain, the revolution won’t be televised. It’ll be buried just beneath the surface.
To learn more about Subcontain and be first on the list to learn about its upcoming franchise opportunities, visit
https://subcontain.com/
🚫 Franchise Offering Disclaimer
This is not a franchise offering. A franchise offering can only be made by a Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) that has been first filed and registered with the applicable state authorities (where required by law).
No franchise will be sold to any resident of any jurisdiction until the offer has been
duly registered and declared effective, and the required FDD has been
delivered to the prospective franchisee in compliance with applicable law.
Thank you for subscribing to The Franchise Journal.