National TOMMYcart rollout reflects rising demand for sustainable construction waste systems
The job site debris collection alternative replaces traditional dumpsters with a safer waste handling solution
Richard S. Burns Co. is moving forward with its multi-market expansion of its TOMMYcart System in Chicago, San Antonio, Houston, and Austin. The highly manoeuvrable job site debris collection solution is designed to replace traditional dumpsters. The expansion marks a major milestone in the company's national growth strategy as TOMMYcart use continues to rise across urban construction markets looking for cleaner, safer, and more efficient debris-handling alternatives.
In the past year, TOMMYcart has experienced significant growth. Named as Recycler of the Year in 2025, the company saw an increased demand from contractors navigating increasingly dense job sites and tightening environmental expectations. Burns reports 25 percent growth, with more than 5,000 carts currently in service and TOMMYcart 2026 revenue projected to reach $4 million as the system expands into additional metropolitan markets. Companywide revenues for Richards S. Burns Co. are projected to exceed $25 million in 2026.
"Based on our own experience here in Philadelphia, we noticed in the marketplace that contractors here and in major cities face real challenges: limited space, strict safety requirements, and pressure to operate cleaner and more efficiently," said Allen Burns, president of Richard S. Burns Co."TOMMYcart is built for exactly these environments. We experienced these challenges ourselves, so I understand their needs. I designed and created this system from the ground-up. Expanding into Chicago, San Antonio, Houston, and Austin allows us to bring a smarter, more sustainable waste-handling solution to some of the fastest-growing construction markets in the country."
The TOMMYcart system is a sustainable and safe solution to keep job sites clean
Engineered specifically for metro environments, the TOMMYcart replaces the logistical burden of traditional roll-off dumpsters with a compact, manoeuvrable cart system that improves workflow and delivers measurable sustainability benefits. Burns' early data shows a 20-30 percent increase in recovery rates vs traditional material recovery facilities, 30 percent reduction in contamination rate, 15-18 percent reduced hauling emissions utilizing box trucks vs traditional roll off trucks across projects utilizing TOMMYcarts.
Across these new expansion markets, contractors will see immediate value in the ways TOMMYcart enhances job-site operations. The system improves overall site safety by reducing floor clutter, tripping hazards, and dust. Efficiency is significantly increased as crews can wheel debris directly from the work area to collection points, eliminating double-handling and cutting down on transport time. TOMMYcarts also support better recycling outcomes, allowing for cleaner material separation that aligns with LEED reporting and waste-diversion goals. And because of their compact footprint, TOMMYcarts can be used in tight urban spaces where traditional dumpsters simply cannot fit, making them ideal for interior fit-outs, adaptive reuse projects, multifamily construction, and high-density renovations.
Built with the needs of contractors in mind, TOMMYcart units feature all-steel construction, polyurethane wheels for smooth rolling over cords and uneven surfaces, integrated floor locks for safety, forklift pockets for secure transport and a tapered design that protects walls and door frames. Burns maintains a continuous workflow on job sites by delivering clean, empty carts as full ones are removed, ensuring uninterrupted operations even on fast-paced projects.
"In every new market we enter, the feedback is the same. Contractors are tired of the limitations of traditional dumpsters," added Burns. "TOMMYcart gives them a faster, cleaner, more responsible option, and our expansion positions us to support thousands of new projects in 2026 and beyond."
