Waste Collection
Lesson Objectives
Understand problems and concerns associated
with MSW collection.
Compare and contrast privately and publicly
operated systems.
Understand the types of collection systems
Identify the benefits associated with the use of
transfer stations
Prepare an economic analysis of transfer stations
Understand the design issues associated with
transfer stations
Collection accounts for
70% of a SW budget!
Types of Waste Collection
Systems
Refuse Collection Systems
(residential)
Commercial Waste Collection
Recyclable Material Collection
179,000 trucks in the US (most
diesel powered)
Refuse Collection
(Residential)
Stationary container emptied into
truck
– Manually
• High injury rates (heavy containers,
broken glass/sharp objects)
• Temporary containers that fall apart
– Automatic
Rear Loading Compactor
Side Loader
Automatic Collection
Usually only one driver required
Works best
– without on-street parking, low hanging
wires, narrow streets
– Where commitment to preventative
maintenance
– Where commitment to educating public
– 60-90 gal containers
Automated Collection
Residential Collection Unit
(RCU) Data
Collection Method* RCUs/Crew/On-Route
Hour
Automated 139
Semi-Automated 119
Manual 136
All Methods 134
*Once-per-week curbside waste collection
Source: O’Brien, J. K. “The Benchmarking of Residential Solid Waste
Collection Services, MSW Management, Sept/Oct 2007, pp 12 – 24.
Maintenance Costs
Collection Method Annual Maintenance Cost, $
Automated 35,000
Semi-automated 15,000
Manual 8,000
Source: O’Brien, J. K. “The Benchmarking of Residential Solid Waste
Collection Services, MSW Management, Sept/Oct 2007, pp 12 – 24.
Commercial Waste
Collection
Mechanically front loaded
Hoist trucks
Trash Trailers
Front Loading Compactor
Collection with Recycling
Collection of mixed MSW with sorting at MRF
(single stream)
Collection of separated recyclables and
MSW(dual stream)
– Hand sorting of recyclables at MRF
– Hand sorting at point of collection (multi-compartment
trucks)
– Collection of separate yard waste
• Bags, bins, or carts (require automation)
• Vacuum collection
• Dual compartment collection vehicle
Curbside collection costs are $15/ton lower for
single-stream than for separated
Recycling Hauler
Split Body Rear Loader
Vacuum Collection
Collection Options
Public Collection
Private Collection
– Non-Exclusive Franchise
– Exclusive Franchises
Labor
Labor intensive
Labor unskilled
High turn-over rates
Few prospects for mechanical
replacement of manual labor
Injuries and poor working conditions
Limited career opportunities
Customer Service
Frequency of service
Container and storage issues
particularly for commercial and
industrial
Location of pickup
Special wastes
Management and
Financing Issues
Low priority
Resistance to change and new
technologies
Lack of quality management
Inflation
Changing with new regulations
Technological Issues
Collection of recyclables, yard waste,
special wastes
Yard waste containers - bagged material
must be debagged prior to composting
Automated collection
Development of efficient routes
Vehicle weight restrictions
Vehicle turning radius and clearance
Reasons for declining
collection frequency
include
Proportion of putrescible waste
declined (food grinders)
Better design of collection vehicles
controls odors and flies
Service costs increased
Time between collection and disposal
decreased
Better management
Set out for 1/wk = 97%, 2/wk = 60%
Safety
Third most dangerous job behind
fishing and timber cutting
– Falls off trucks
– Hit by cars
– Inappropriate disposal of wastes
– Lifting injuries
Fixed Factors Affecting
Design and Cost
Fixed Factors
Climate
Topography
Layout - container access (alley,
curbside, rear of house)
Available transportation systems, traffic,
roads (Venice uses boats)
Types of wastes collected
Population density
Variable Factors Affecting
Design and Cost
Storage techniques employed
Recycling
Collection frequency
Crew size
Equipment
Collection Cost
Calculations
Y = a + b + c(d) + e + f + g
Where:
Y = total collection time/day or week
a = garage to route time/day or week
b = actual time collecting waste/day or week
c = number of trips to disposal site/day or week
d = time to drive fully loaded truck to disposal facility,
unload and return to collection area/trip
e = time to drive to garage at the end of the trip/day or week
f +g = off route time, can be expressed as a fraction of Y/day or week
Collection Cost
Calculations - Cont’d
N = SF/XW
Where:
N = number of vehicles required
S = total number of customers served per week
F = collection frequency
X = number of customers truck can serve per day
W = number of work days per week
Hauled Container System
Number of Containers = n
Example below: n=5
The number of
1 2 3 4 5 drive between
containers =
n-1
Example: dbc = 4
Disposal Site
