Garbage night. It was the dreaded chore during a bitter-cold, winter evening at a time before garbage collection methods were automated operations. These were easily damaged, heavy metal, old-fashioned garbage containers; they were low to the ground. These containers were weighted down with wet garbage decomposing within paper grocery bags and without any wheels. Each of these badly damaged containers (there were two of them) had to be cautiously carried to the curb in order to avoid any cuts, scrapes and bruises.
The low rise trash bins had busted or missing handles with sharp steel edges. Lifting the can without getting cut required using four fingers on each hand. Carrying a low rise, back straining, poorly made trash bin was cumbersome. Holding the steel bin out at a distance was helpful avoiding scraped shins. The dimly lit uneven path carried the risk of a sprained ankle at every turn. Eventually reaching the street with another can to go brought with it only a fleeting feeling of relief. The second trip brought with it a feeling of finality to the task along with this lingering thought: "there must be a better better way!"
A confidence-inspiring transition is underway for regular garbage collection. The modernized method of collecting trash sets an example to be followed. Waste management organizations operating at a profit in the private sector are funded to supply its residental customers with recycling containers compatible with State-Of-The-Art garbage collection vehicles. Township and municipality-run waste management facilities have not reached this level of sophistication, as they operate on a tight budget funded by tax dollars and lack the required funding for recycling containers; let-alone vehicle upgrades.
Our township (and other townships not much like it all around the country) continue to collect recycled trash, brought to the street on specified days of the week, the traditional way. Homeowners are instructed to purchase their own containers. Our township provides residents with recycling stickers and instructions to affix them to resident-purchased containers. Recycling trucks are not equipped with side-loading arms. Containers are still hand lifted and emptied into recycling trucks. I've read that the plan is to convert recycled garbage collection methods similar to the regular garbage collection methods.
The recycling garbage containers would be designed in a way that is not so dissimilar from regular garbage containers; they would be picked up by automated side-loading arms on garbage trucks with a lift-capacity of up to 800 pounds with dual handles on opposite sides for gripping lifting and dumping functions; recycling containers must be accessible to the driver. Township residents that place their recycled containers inside of container enclosures must label them as such. These enclosures must include street-placement instructions for containers and ample space for side-loading arms.
Once local townships procure the funding to supply these recycled containers, their residents will be advised of the compatibility and compliance obligations associated with these collection methods. Contact the township for an update.
Recycling Containers, Compatibility Requirements:
Accessibility Requirements:
Municipalities and townships with sufficient funding required for upgrading their fleets of garbage trucks would spend that funding installing side-loading arms and purchasing recycling containers that are compatible with the side-loading arms. Residents would be instructed where containers must be placed curbside on the street; so that the garbage truck driver can easily align the truck in a way that it could reach and grip the container with the garbage truck's side-loading arm. Understandably, sufficient space would be required for the truck driver to maneuver the truck into the proper position; where the side-loading arm can grip the compatible container, raise the container, invert the container and vigorously shake the inverted container in order to empty all its contents into the garbage truck before proceeding on to the next container.
Container Types:
Municipalities and townships frequently use the 96-gallon recycling container.
Design Features:
Containers must have handles on opposite sides for easy gripping and lifting. They should also have tight-fitting lids to prevent spillage and water intrusion. They should be designed in a way that is not complex to clean and maintain.
Enclosure Requirements:
Recycling containers, stored in an enclosure, should be at least 12 feet wide with gates, which swing open 180 degrees. It must be free from obstructions interfering with the side loading arm (low-hanging wires, tree branches, etc..).
Proper Waste Disposal:
Lids must be closed. Do not place trash bags on top or next to the container.
Standardization:
Local municipalities and townships are likely to have specific requirements for their particular container's compatibility, design and placement that may vary. Contact your local government for the details about the program in your area.
Weight and Size:
The container's weight should be within the capacity of the side-loading arm, which is somewhere in the neighborhood of 800 pounds. The container's size must be compatible with the firm grip of the garbage truck's side-loading arm.
Automated, Side-Load, Trash Truck:
Informative video demonstrating the way modern recycling programs function.
Floor Covering Media publishes
blog articles called Flooring Briefs.
Floor Covering Media is
a social media network.
Retrieve timely, objective news and
information at https://www.floorsearch.info.
