In Alexandria, VA, the need for compassionate and effective cleanup services has become increasingly important as the city addresses the challenges posed by homeless encampments. Bio-One of Towson recently undertook a significant project in this area, demonstrating our commitment to restoring safety and cleanliness to public spaces while treating the situation with the respect and dignity it deserves.
Homeless encampments often present unique cleanup challenges due to the presence of biohazardous materials such as human waste, drug paraphernalia, and other potentially dangerous contaminants. These environments require specialized attention and a thorough understanding of the health risks involved. At Bio-One of Towson, we recognize that each cleanup is not just about removing debris, but about ensuring the safety of the community and the well-being of those who lived in these spaces.
Assessment and Planning: Our process begins with a detailed assessment of the site. In Alexandria, our team carefully evaluated the encampment, identifying areas that required immediate attention and determining the best approach for safe and efficient cleanup.
Biohazard Removal: Given the presence of biohazardous materials, our trained technicians used industry-standard protocols to safely remove and dispose of these hazards. This includes the proper handling of items such as needles, human waste, and any other potentially infectious materials. Our team is equipped with personal protective equipment (PPE) to minimize exposure risks during the cleanup.
Waste Segregation and Disposal: A critical part of the process involved segregating hazardous materials from non-hazardous waste. We ensured that all biohazardous waste was carefully packaged, labeled, and transported to licensed disposal facilities, adhering to both EPA and Virginia state regulations.
Site Restoration: After the hazardous materials were removed, the area was thoroughly cleaned and sanitized. Our goal was to not only remove visible debris but also to address any underlying health risks, leaving the site safe for future use.
The cleanup of the homeless encampment in Alexandria, VA, was about more than just waste removal; it was about contributing to the community’s overall health and safety. Bio-One of Towson takes pride in providing services that support local efforts to maintain public spaces while acknowledging the complex issues surrounding homelessness. We work closely with local authorities and community organizations to ensure that our cleanups are conducted with sensitivity and care.
At Bio-One of Towson, we are more than just a cleanup service. We are dedicated to helping communities like Alexandria navigate challenging situations with professionalism and compassion. Our experienced team is always ready to take on the toughest cleanup tasks, ensuring that every project is handled with the highest standards of safety and respect.
If you or your community requires professional cleanup services, whether it’s for a homeless encampment, a crime scene, or any other biohazardous situation, Bio-One of Towson is here to help. Contact us today to learn more about how we can assist you.
Bio-One teams across the U.S. answer calls to help their communities and remediate a variety of scenes. In our new blog series, we'd like to bring you into the Bio-One world by sharing stories of the unique and important work we do for local communities.
Here is Week 1 of our Bio-One Weekly Wrap-Up.
Homeless Encampment Clean-Up - Temecula, CA
On the west coat, the Bio-One team was called by the Hemet San Jacinto Chamber of Commerce to safely decontaminate an area outside their office. With homelessness on the rise, there is in increase of biohazardous waste that is sadly starting to accumulate in zones of our cities.
While Bio-One teams have been actively remediating homeless encampments for decades, we just refreshed this information on our Bio-One website. View it here.
"We are actively looking for partnerships to help keep our cities clean and safe for children and families." - Jason and William, Bio-One Owners
COVID-19 Disinfection to Raise Money for Local Police Sgt. - Asheville, NC
In the fall of 2020, it was announced that Jax, the 3 year-old son of Sgt. Jordan Warren at the Henderson County Sheriff's Office, was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer. Sgt. Warren has served the community in Henderson County for 10 years, and the community has rallied on his behalf by donating thousands of dollars for the family in their time of need.
To help raise money, the Bio-One team in Asheville raffled off a COVID-19 disinfection, up to 5,000 sqft for any home or business. The raffle ran through January 2021 and raised over $600. This week, the team happily treated the winner, Strong Hand Fitness, to the disinfection.
"Police officers and their families make big sacrifices to serve their community, most of which go unseen. So, when first responder families are in need, we want to help anyway we can. We wish the entire Warren family the best as Jax continues his fight." - Matt Gregg, Bio-One Owner
Cat Rescue - Flagstaff, Arizona
In January, the Bio-One team in Flagstaff answered the call to remediate an unattended death. They learned from the next of kin that a husband had passed away in the home while his wife, at the time, was fighting for her life at the local hospital after being diagnosed with COVID-19.
Once the team arrived, it was clear this would be a multi-day job. Not only was there a biohazard to remediate, but the home was hoarded and restoring the home to a safe environment was an urgent need. While working, the Bio-One crew identified three cats lingering in and around the home. Initially, it was assumed one cat was owned by the family, and the other two were part of the neighborhood. The first cat, nicknamed Hunter, was given to the Ark Cat Sanctuary for a checkup and to eventually find a new home. In the spirit of kindness, the team also provided food and water for the other two neighborhood cats when working onsite.
Several weeks passed, and the Bio-One team received word that the wife had sadly lost her life due to complications from COVID-19. The next of kin asked the team to revisit the home and remove remaining items. Shortly after work began, the two neighborhood cats were found. It was then revealed that the two animals were owned by the deceased couple. After living off the land for months, they were rescued by the Bio-One team and turned over to the Ark Cat Sanctuary for care. We hope each animal finds a loving home.
"We are very fortunate that our staff and owners have a heart for animals and will do whatever they can to help the pets like we do our clients." - Rebecca Wallace, Bio-One Owner
