A trash compactor can help you significantly reduce waste costs by reducing the number of pick-ups needed for your location(s). A compactor does exactly what you’d think; it compacts trash so that fewer pick-ups are necessary. The most frequently used size is 30 cubic yards. It requires an investment up front, but it can save quite a bit of money over time. 

Is a compactor the right solution for you? Here are 5 reasons you may need one.

1. You’re a higher trash generator.

   Does one 8 yard dumpster picked up every day meet your service needs? If you’re generating more trash, you need equipment that will minimize your waste spend. We typically find that most high trash generators tend to be multi-family complexes, retail properties, and restaurants. Not all of these examples have the space or budget for a compactor, but for many of them a compactor represents a long-term savings option.

   2. Prevent unauthorized access or illegal waste disposal.

   I can’t tell you the number of times we’ve had a multi-family property manager ask us how to cut down on illegal dumping. We recently did a site survey (back in spring of 2020) where we found that someone had dumped mattresses, box frames, and toilets! Needless to say, the property manager was less than thrilled.

   Unfortunately, this kind of dumping is a common problem. There are several ways that you can minimize the opportunity for people to dump, and a compactor is one of them. Depending on the design, some compactors can restrict access to employees or residents, making it more difficult for illegal dumping to occur.

   3. Save valuable space.

   A compactor can take up less space than several dumpsters, and it can maximize the space available to your site guests, residents, or employees for trash.

   Compactors can be 30-40 feet long (though some can be much smaller!), so in order to install one you will need a good bit of space on your site. Many high-trash generators find that the upfront costs to install and rent (or own) a compactor are off-set over several years of use.

   A typical compactor can contain at least 5 tons of garbage - far more than even the largest dumpsters. This means that a site can go longer periods of time between pick-ups, which can significantly decrease your waste spend.

   4. Gain better control of liquid waste.

   Nobody - not one single person we’ve ever talked to - enjoys the smell of garbage. We find that for sites that generate food waste, compactors can be a helpful solution to cut down on unpleasant smells.

   Some compactors are specially outfitted to contain liquid and semi-liquid waste. As a result, the less than ideal smell that radiates from open dumpsters is contained (for the most part) within the compartments of the compactor. This helps keep your location smelling clean.

   5. Eliminate litter from wind-blown debris.

   Another feature of a trash compactor is its ability to reduce litter across a given location. If the garbage is fully contained in a compactor, it’s much more difficult for large amounts of debris to escape. This makes it less likely for garbage to be strewn about your site, which helps make a good impression on your site visitors. This also helps prevent complaints, which your employees will be happy about.

   Benefits of waste and recycling compactors

   Compactors can be excellent solutions for companies that are hoping to reduce their waste disposal expenses. They offer an opportunity to reduce pick-ups by compressing waste, can minimize illegal dumping, and can keep your location clean and tidy.

   How much could a compactor help me save?

   If you’re a high-volume waste generator, a compactor installation could be one solution that could help you save 10-35% on your waste expenses. By reducing the number of pickups, we can significantly reduce waste disposal expenses. When we conduct our thorough audit for clients who may need this piece of waste disposal equipment, we typically evaluate short and long term savings opportunities based on your location, the pricing for equipment, and the service estimates provided by area haulers.

   You’re sitting on savings. You need different equipment and better contracts. Learn more at our on-demand webinar!

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