Garbage trucks come in all different shapes and sizes. An average garbage truck can hold about 20 tons or so of garbage before heading back to the transfer station. That’s a heavy load! However, the garbage truck as we know it could be on its way out. With increasing worker’s compensation cases involving garbage workers, stricter environmental protection laws, and improving technology, the future of waste management is headed (as with everything in the world) towards automation. Could there come a day in the near future when the garbage man will be no more?

Garbage Trucks 101

There are four main types of residential garbage trucks:

• Rear loading: This is the “traditional” truck that involves workers manually emptying cans into the truck.
• Rear loading retrofitted: Similar to the traditional truck, although workers wheel carts to the back of the truck and a lifting mechanism raises them up and dumps them into the truck.
• Semi-Automated: Worker rolls can to the side of the truck and a lifting mechanism raises and dumps the cart into the truck. (Much like the rear loading retrofitted, although loaded on the side instead of the rear)
• Automated: The worker never leaves the truck. A joystick control inside the truck’s cab directs a mechanical arm to grab the cart, lift, and dump into the side of the truck.

A Push Toward Automated Trash Pick Up

Across the nation, more and more communities are transforming their fleet from traditional rear loaders to semi-automated or automated trucks. Why the change? Actually, there are many reasons that make the transition to automation a smart one:

1. Increased route productivity. More homes can be serviced in a shorter period of time with automated trash removal services. Customer satisfaction rates improve as a result.
2. Fewer injuries for waste management workers. Most workers’ compensation claims from garbage workers are a result of lifting injuries. Automation removes that variable. The result is fewer injuries, lower turnover rates, and less cost for the waste management companies paid into workers compensation claims.
3. Improved neighborhood aesthetics. With automated pickup, customers must have garbage carts instead of traditional cans. The carts have lids and are more resistant to tipping than cans. This leads to less garbage spilled on streets and a more uniform look on garbage day.
4. Cost-effective. Though there is a steep initial cost to set up automated trash removal, most communities recoup their investment in about 3-5 years and realize continued savings from that point on.
5. Good for the environment. Because vehicles are more efficient and more productive, that means fewer vehicles on the road. The result: a more fuel-efficient process producing fewer greenhouse gasses.
6. Increased recycling rates. Many communities using automated pickup provide customers with wheeled recycling carts in addition to trash carts. The convenience of the cart alone increases compliance with recycling. Also, [PAYT] (pay-as-you-throw) pricing structures encourage recycling as well, as the less trash you have the less you pay.

Pros And Cons Of Automated Garbage Removal

The benefits of automated trash pickup trucks are substantial. There are, however, a few drawbacks that may have some wondering…

“Why change what has worked for decades?”

1. Cost. Automated vehicles cost more initially and more to maintain than traditional rear loading trucks (initial cost is more than double in most cases). However, these trucks can collect more garbage faster.
2. Bulk trash. Not all garbage fits into the standard garbage carts provided for automated service. The logistics of figuring out how to handle that type of waste is often a limiting factor. Frog Hauling could be an excellent answer to that question by providing roll-off dumpsters for you to fill and us to transport that could easily handle bulky trash.
3. Carts. As mentioned before, automated pickup service requires a special garbage cart, not the traditional can we all have. In most cases, carts run between $12 and $20 per month, which is a significant cost for some consumers.

Despite the drawbacks listed above, automated trash collection is certainly gaining steam across the world as the next “big thing” in trash removal. It is only a matter of time before all communities in the nation adapt to this new wave of garbage truck technology. Whether your community has hopped on board or not, consider Frog Hauling to help with your large cleanout projects, transportation of bulky items, and anytime you need more than just that one cart you are given.

Call Frog Hauling today for a free estimate (614) 258-3764.

Are you having trouble getting rid of things cluttering up around the house? Has your home turned into a collector’s dream? Do you have closets you can’t even open anymore in fear of what might fall out? It might be time for a good dose of decluttering.

Clutter is actually proven to increase stress levels.

…so although it’s hard to part with that letter jacket from high school or that greeting card from an old boyfriend, at the end of the day you will be glad you did.

Let Go Of The Clutter

Follow these simple steps to declutter and restore a new sense of peace in your home!

1. Give it away. Take this new season as an opportunity to go through your clothes and toss out anything you don’t like or can’t fit in. If you didn’t wear it last year chances are you won’t wear it again, so donate it to someone who will. Home décor items go in and out of style too. If those curtains haven’t hung for decades, it’s time to give them to someone who could use them. Your trash may be someone else’s treasure.
2. Try a test run without it. Pack up a box with items that you rarely use such as small appliances, unused electronics, and old toys. Pack the box away for a few months. If you don’t need anything from the box in that time period then you can probably get rid of it.
3. In and out. A good rule to follow is anytime you buy one thing and bring it home, get rid of one thing in return. In comes a new flat screen tv, and out goes that old dinosaur tv in the basement. That will help to at least maintain status quo in your home.
4. Up-cycle. Let’s say you paint a room and your décor no longer matches. Rather than buying new, consider moving things around from other rooms to use what you already have. Flip flop the curtains in your bedroom with your living room to freshen it up for free.
5. Say no to shopping. Just because that mixing bowl is on sale doesn’t mean you have to buy it, especially when you have twelve others at home. Impulsive shopping can contribute significantly to the clutter in your home, so just back away and think, “Do I REALLY need this?”
6. Quick clean every night. Going to bed in a home that is tidy and neat makes sleep more restful. Take a few minutes each night to tidy up quickly by wiping down counters, loading the dishwasher, and putting toys away. Waking up to a ship-shape home will start your day better.
7. Put it in its place. Having a designated space for things helps to control clutter considerably. If you have the room, try a backpack storage piece to keep all of your children’s school supplies in one area. This will keep books from winding up all over your kitchen floor. Similarly, try having a basket near the front door as a designated area for keys, cell phones, and wallets.
8. Label it. Instead of just tossing things into your closet, consider labeling fabric storage bins for specific items. For example, have a bin for pajamas, a bin for socks, and a bin for t-shirts. That makes putting laundry away much easier and is also easier to find things, especially for kids.
9. Challenge yourself. Try the 12-12-12 challenge. Find 12 items to toss, 12 items to donate, and 12 items to put back in their proper places. You will quickly organize 36 items in your home. Try it every day for a week and you will have your home decluttered in no time!

No one wants TLC knocking on their door asking them to be the next star of “Hoarding: Buried Alive.” Whether you call yourself a packrat, a “collector of memories”, or just plain messy, Frog Hauling can help you become organized, tidy, and clutter-free in no time.

If you’re ready to give your home a serious decluttering, Frog Hauling can make the job a lot easier! You can even convince a few neighbors to join in the decluttering crusade with you and share a dumpster container to transport of unwanted items to a new location.

Call Frog Hauling at (614) 258-3764 for an estimate and transport the clutter from your home AND your mind for good!