Compactors come in all types and sizes. If you’re trying to select the right compactor and size for your operation and application, here are some helpful tips to get it right:

Evaluate a Compactor for Cost-Effectiveness

First, make sure it makes sense to get a compactor. Companies use a compactor to reduce waste volume for fewer trips to the landfill. Assuming the waste hauler is charging per pull, fewer pulls mean less cost. Additionally, there are landfill charges that are based on weight or volume. If the fee is based on weight, compaction will not reduce landfill charges, but if it’s based on volume, compaction will reduce overall landfill costs. So three prime considerations for choosing a compactor are the cost to haul the trash to the landfill, the cost of labor to handle it and how landfill charges are calculated.

After evaluating these factors, if a compactor can’t save you money, then don’t get one. If you’re not sure, we’ll be happy to discuss your needs and what compactor might work best for your operation and determine the appropriate size system to service your needs.

Maximize Compaction Ratio and Container Weight Efficiency

Compaction ratios provide a good estimate of compactor performance. For instance, consider the amount of trash that typically fills a 30 cubic yard open-top dumpster. Utilizing a 4:1 compactor, the equivalent of 4 of these containers can now be contained in one load, thus reducing hauling charges 75%.

For example, a compactor with a 10:1 ratio may seem more advantageous than a 4:1 machine. But, what if the waste in the container weighs 5,000 lbs prior to compaction? With a legal weight limit for hauling in the 18,000 to 20,000 lbs. range, a 4:1 compactor will fill the container to absolute legal weight limit capacity. Choosing a compaction ratio beyond 4:1 in this application would be unnecessary and cost-ineffective.

Similarly, if the non-compacted waste weighs 2,000 lbs., a 4:1 ratio machine will only compact 8,000 lbs. into the container, less than 1/2 the maximum load limit. This will cost more money with the increased number of pulls and hauling fees to the landfill. For this application, a 10:1 ratio will fill the container to maximum weight capacity and cost-efficiency.

A beginner’s guide to selecting the right compactor

Commercial trash compactors come in many different styles and sizes to meet specific types of customer’s needs. Large 15-40 yard self-contained compactors are generally used by restaurants, supermarkets, department stores, and malls that share a dumpster. These compactors are ideal for businesses that produce large volumes of waste and have plenty of space outside for equipment. Businesses with limited space such as fast food restaurants often prefer to use indoor trash compactors or outdoor vertical compactors. Indoor compactors are typically about the size of a refrigerator, and outdoor vertical compactors can fit in most standard dumpster corrals.

There are many things to consider when investigating what type of waste equipment will best fit your needs. Here at Mitrano Removal Service, we review all options with our customers and help them choose the right one for their industry, application, and need. When utilized properly, trash compactors can be a big time and money saver for businesses, especially when they generate huge piles of trash.