Pink-Trash
Kelly Buffalino, owner
Michelle Inman, business partner
Year Founded: 2011
Number of employees: 19

Barely halfway into its second year of operation, Wilmington-based Pink-Trash reports a continued 19 percent month-over-month growth rate and steady inroads into the commercial, construction and residential trash pickup markets in New Hanover County. 

To owner Kelly Buffalino and Pink-Trash partner Inman Septic Services, the young company’s success speaks to the importance to customers of personal, efficient service.

The company, formally known as Coastal Ladies Carting, works in tandem with Inman Septic Services to provide commercial waste and recycling services throughout New Hanover County. Increasingly, the company’s pink bins are appearing in residential neighborhoods. 

Buffalino and her husband, Chris, were motivated to start a local waste business when he realized that monthly trash collection rates for the apartment complex he owns were varied and unpredictable. 

On top of the contracted monthly charge, typically the national and regional haulers added fuel, administrative and environmental fees that, the Buffalinos said, could add up to another 10-30 percent of the monthly charge for businesses.

The couple began developing a flat-rate business model and brought in Shaun Kiviat, a friend of Inman Septic owners Dan and Michelle Inman, to help analyze the numbers and the market. 

Kiviat said the Buffalinos realized that having full-service waste disposal capabilities would give Pink-Trash a decided edge. 

By forming an alliance with Inman Septic, Kiviat said that Pink-Trash became the only Wilmington-based trash company that offered complete liquid waste services, which consist of installation, repair and servicing of septic systems and grease traps.

Then the company added a charitable twist. 

Buffalino, a breast cancer survivor, wanted to do something to promote cancer support services in the community. The Buffalinos decided to give 1 percent of their company’s gross receipts to Pretty in Pink Foundation Wilmington and to provide office space free of charge in the Pink-Trash building to the foundation’s director, Joy Wade.

Thanks to the quality of its business plan and market analysis, plus the fact that the new company had agreements with 500 commercial customers before it launched, Pink-Trash was able to secure financing from East Carolina Bank (now called VantageSouth Bank) during a time when finding startup money was tough.

The company began operations in December 2011 with commercial service. It launched its residential service in February 2012 and its construction roll-off services in May 2012 – both ahead of schedule – Kiviat said. 

Recently, Pink-Trash took delivery on 20 new roll-off dumpsters, which were placed on construction sites within three days. 

Currently, the company is expanding its recycling roster – all this with minimal expenditure on marketing, Buffalino said. Instead, the company looks for opportunities to get its equipment and staff in front of the public, as Pink-Trash did at the Touch a Truck event at Mayfaire Town Center this spring.

“We expend man hours rather than money,” she said. “Our pinkness stands out, and our work speaks for itself. People would rather do business with a small business and one that gives back to the community.”