How to Choose An Industrial Trash Compactor

By: Jafree Gurner Click author's name for more of his/her articles

How can your company make more money? Simple. By saving money. One cost a company can cut down is the waste bill. Have you ever considered purchasing, renting or leasing an industrial trash compactor? Well if you haven't you should. Like selecting the right automobile with all the options and features that fit your way of life, so must the compactor fit your facility or shop's needs. And since there are many differences between compactors I will point out the things you should look for in a compactor in regards to your needs.

When I worked as a compactor salesman, the first thing I would ask a client is "What type of trash do you have-Wet or dry?" The reason I would ask is because depending on their answer would determine if we should be looking at Self Contained or Stationary compactors. Each type of compactor can be divided into two parts: the compactor (which houses the ram that pushes and crushes the trash) and the container (also called the receiver of bin). The difference between the Self-Contained and Stationary compactor is that the two parts of the Self-Contained compactor have been welded together making it one complete unit. The two parts of the stationary compactor snaps in and out from each other.

Stationary compactors are great for companies that only produce dry waste. They are less expensive (but not by much) and can be fitted with hoppers for hand loading, or it can be fitted with a drive on plate for forklift loading or it can be fitted with a trashcan and bin dumper (an attachment that automatically dumps smaller bins and trashcans into the compactor).

All companies that produce a large amount of wet waste such as food manufacturing plants, restaurants, catering services and markets should use a self-contained compactor. Since stationary compactors are two separate units, any wet waste will leak through the joint where they snap together. This problem can and will cause the health department to come down on a company if a compactor leak is ever spotted.

Once the type of industrial trash compactor is selected it is very important to know what size container will be needed. Too small a container may leave a company constantly calling their disposal company for extra pickups. Too large a container will take up precious space, such as parking spaces, on facility grounds. Compactor containers come in 3 cubic to 40 cubic yard sizes.

Industrial compactors, on average, compact at a ratio of 4 to 1. This means that roughly four, forty cubic yard containers, can fit into one compacted 40 yard container. And, roughly four, three cubic yard dumpsters can fit into one compacted three yard container. So if a company currently has one forty cubic yard dumpster that is being emptied eight times a month, they can replace it with a forty yard compactor and will now only need two pickups a month.

The less pickups your disposal company has to make means the more money your company saves. Depending on the size of a company's operation, by adding a compactor or two can sometimes save thousands upon thousands of dollars a month. Even if a company saved five-hundred dollars a month, that equals into a savings of thirty thousand dollars over five years and seventy-two thousand dollars over the minimum expected life of the compactor (12 years).

Before I left the compactor industry, I saw great things happening. From smaller, more efficient compactors being built to solar-powered compactors. And please do not think only the large manufactures can benefit from these powerful waste reduction machines. I've helped many small plazas and "mom and pop" shops with the smaller compactors. Take the time and look into these machines, its worth the time and effort.

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About The Author: Jaff Gurner loves Zippo lighter memorabilia, and is a self proclaimed cigar aficionado. If you're looking for a place to order zippo lighter products, feel free to visit www.tobacco-barn.com/s-85-zippo-lighter.aspx