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.