Sustainability in the Material Handling Industry

If not already developed, your company has likely begun to develop some sort of a green initiative. The conventional wisdom of doing things good for the environment and good for the bottom line is sometimes difficult to achieve. Now, thanks to the application of high density compaction and innovative technology, that’s all changing in the field of waste material handling and solid waste removal.

Through high density compaction and automated dispatching of waste haulers, it is possible to reduce transportation operations by an average of 40% or more. Such results are possible by fixing the problem at the source….the waste compactor. By improving the performance efficiency of waste compactor management so that only maximum loaded compactor containers are picked up, enormous improvements and savings are possible.

This is especially important because waste removal trucks are among the least efficient vehicles on the road. But as it turns out, the easiest solution to reducing costs and the carbon footprint of the waste process is with the waste compactor, not the truck. A high density compactor with a monitoring system from SP Industries is your best solution. An automated monitoring system actually watches how the high density compactor container is filling, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. When a “full container” is sensed, the waste hauler is automatically notified by the monitor. In real world experience, this results in an average of 40% fewer trips by the waste hauler, and reducing the fuel consumption, air pollution, and carbon footprint of these trucks by 40%!

Many waste compactor users find it almost impossible to consistently know when a compactor’s container is ready for pickup. Because businesses are often concerned about calling the hauler too late, they rely on regularly scheduled waste pickups, or guess when to call for a pickup based on such unreliable measures as pressure gauges and indicator lights. These practices result in compactor containers being picked up too frequently, often with only 5,000# to 6,000# payloads when they should be 15,000# to 20,000# payloads.

Like an out-of-tune car or truck engine, an inadequate or malfunctioning compactor is incredibly wasteful. Improper pressure settings or faulty gauges can fool workers into calling for a pickup when the container is just half full. The added pollution that results, as well as the added expense, can be much more significant than is at first apparent. High density compaction is able to greatly improve waste stream efficiency and document results, because it is a complete, fully automated monitoring solution. State-of-the-art sensing technology, on-board intelligence and embedded software are fully configurable to the needs of the individual user.

Fewer truck pickups equate to fewer miles driven, which means fewer trucks are needed to service the same number of customers. That also means that truck maintenance is reduced proportionately. So, reducing these factors is an added bonus.

Perhaps the most attractive aspect of utilizing these types of systems is that on a purchase basis, the system typically pays back in 9 months or less. After that, it continues to generate major savings. Contact an SP representative today to find out more about how to significantly reduce operating expenses and cut your carbon footprint.

The Benefits of High Density Compaction

When looking into purchasing a compactor there are many things to consider.  Simply understanding that these machines are designed to compact waste materials into a container is just the beginning.  It is important to look for a compactor that not only reduces volume, but also saves you money.  Oftentimes, taking into consideration the benefits of a compactor can make the purchasing decision an easy one. 

First and foremost, high density compaction reduces the costs associated with hauling waste.  Simply put, the more waste that gets squeezed into your container equates to fewer trips that need to be made to the landfill.  Moreover, these fewer trips to the landfill reduce the potential for property damage to black top or concrete loading areas.  As you can imagine, over time the traffic from 50 ton waste trucks can produce significant wear and tear on your lot.  Compactors also reduce the risk of fire at a facility.   Because compaction revolves around removing air to reduce volume, the higher density loads created throughout the process are much less likely to burn than loose trash.

For some companies product destruction becomes very important when disposing sensitive material.  Destroying products through compaction prevents their reuse and ensures peace of mind.  Compactors that have been operating for several years in harsh conditions can reflect their long life in chipping paint and weathered seals and hinges.  Therefore, at the very least, a new machine improves the aesthetics of a plant’s waste handling area.

Installing a compactor with a full enclosure design can also allow for better climate control in a facility.  This design eliminates the need to open doors on cold walls that let outside air in or inside air out.  These sealed systems also play an important role in reducing pilfering and pest control.  This is because a compactor that is connected to a container restricts employee access while preventing rodents from crawling into the compaction chamber or container. 

In terms of safety, compactors help control workman compensation claims while increasing the ergonomics of waste disposal.  For instance, incorporating a cart dumper into a compaction system reduces the risk of injury associated with heavy lifting and disposal of awkward materials.  At the same time, these systems are very easy to operate and maintain.   

So what is your experience with operating waste handling equipment?  We are interested in hearing about your experience with compactors and compaction equipment.  Also, let us know about some of the features you would like to see incorporated into compactors in the future.

For more information on the benefits of high density compaction, visit our site here.