Paper No: 11 Solid and Hazardous Waste Management

Module: 7 Waste collection – Storage containers and collection vehicles

Development Team
Prof. R.K. Kohli
Principal Investigator
& Prof. V.K. Garg & Prof. Ashok Dhawan
Co- Principal Investigator
Central University of Punjab, Bathinda

Dr. Yogalakshmi K. N.,

Paper Coordinator
Central University of Punjab, Bathinda
Dr. Yogalakshmi K. N.,
Content Writer
Central University of Punjab, Bathinda
Content Reviewer Dr. Dhanya MS
Central University of Punjab, Bathinda

Anchor Institute Central University of Punjab 1

Solid and Hazardous Waste Management

Environmental
Sciences Waste collection – Storage containers and collection vehicles
 Description of Module

Subject Name Environmental Sciences

Paper Name Solid and Hazardous Waste Management

Module Name/Title Waste collection – Storage containers and collection vehicles

Module Id EVS/SHWM-XI/7

Pre-requisites A basic knowledge and interest in understanding the waste and collection methods

To study in detail about

1. Characteristics of storage containers used in waste collection
Objectives 2. Types of collection containers used in waste collection
3. Location of collection containers
4. Types of Collection vehicles used in waste collection
Waste, Solid waste, waste collection, storage containers, hauled and stationary containers, collection
Keywords
vehicles, compactor trucks, non-compactor trucks

Solid and Hazardous Waste Management

Environmental
Sciences Waste collection – Storage containers and collection vehicles
 Module 7: Waste collection – Storage containers and collection vehicles

Objectives:
To study in detail about

1. Characteristics of storage containers used in waste collection

2. Types of collection containers used in waste collection

3. Location of collection containers

4. Types of Collection vehicles used in waste collection

1.0 Introduction

Management of solid waste is crucial to avoid environmental and health hazards. Solid waste
management is highly complex as it involves different steps, technologies and public participation. The
steps involved in solid waste management include reduction in waste generation, handling, storage,
collection, segregation, transfer, transport, processing, treatment and disposal. The success of waste
management depends on the public and the government. Both share equal responsibilities and they
should work hand in hand to achieve proper waste management.

Waste collection is the major and crucial step in waste management process. It is defined as the
collection or gathering of waste from the source of generation and haul them to the transfer stations,
processing sites, disposal site or landfills. Hence, waste collection does not mean the gathering of waste
alone. Waste collection differs for comingled and source separated wastes. Source separated wastes (i.e)
biodegradables, recyclables and non-recyclables are collected separately from different collection
centres or containers and taken for further processing. Likewise, the comingled waste is carried to
transfer station for further separation and processing. Waste collection is most difficult and complex in
an urban environment because the generation of residential, commercial-industrial solid waste including
recyclables takes place in every home, apartment building, commercial and industrial facility, and in the
streets, parks, and even vacant areas. Henceforth, the waste collection becomes complex with increasing
waste quantity and diffused waste generation pattern. More diffuse is the waste collection, more is waste
generation and more complex is waste collection. Waste collection is costly component of waste
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 management. Around 50 to 70 percent of the total waste management cost is utilized for waste
collection. The cost can be reduced if the waste collection is properly planned and managed. Waste
collection depends on number of containers, collection vehicles, routes and collection frequency. In the
previous module, the various elements in waste management was outlined with a special emphasis on
waste collection and its components. In this module we shall discuss about the waste storage containers,
its types, characteristics and location of the containers. The various collection vehicle used for collecting
the waste and transferring/transporting them to treatment and disposal site will also be discussed.

2.0 Waste collection containers

Waste collection containers play an important role in waste collection system. Their type, size and
location determine the efficiency of waste collection. The size and type of the containers vary with the
location and source of generation, example; residential colonies with the single family households
require small containers unlike commercial, institutional and industries which require large containers.
The size of the containers determines the handling of the containers (i.e.) small containers can be handled
manually while the larger ones require mechanical handling.

2.1 Characteristics of Storage containers: The size and characteristics of storage container plays an
essential role in waste collection. Selection of good container can save collection energy, increase the
speed of collection and reduce the crew size. The characteristics to be considered while selecting a
container include

 Low cost: The containers chosen for waste collection should be cheap and economical so as to
minimize the cost of collection.

 Size and weight: Any collection containers should be of appropriate size to avoid occupational health
hazard. A container should not weigh more than 20 kg. The containers that weigh more than 20 kg
require more collection members as it would be difficult them manually. Further, if they are handled
manually, it will cause muscular strain and ligament tear of waste collector. As mentioned earlier,
single household families can use small sized containers unlike other residential, commercial and
institutional sources. Smaller size containers can be unloaded manually where as large size
containers require mechanical lifting.

Solid and Hazardous Waste Management

Environmental
Sciences Waste collection – Storage containers and collection vehicles
  Containers should not be rough: Rough surface facilitates easy attachment of wastes there by leading
to decomposition at the rough surfaces. Further containers with rough surface are difficult to clean.
Example, containers made of wood.

 Containers should not have sharp edges: Sharp edges may cause injury to the waste collector crew.

 Containers should be inert: The containers should be made of inert materials to avoid the reactivity
of waste with the container materials. Example, iron containers should be avoided because the
moisture in the waste will corrode them and lead to rusting.

 Containers should be covered: Covered containers will prevent the entry of rain waste into the
wastes. The rain water will accelerate the rate of decomposition leading to obnoxious odour. It will
also increase the weight of solid waste stored within the container. Covered containers will prevent
the entry of stray animals into the containers.

 Strength and durability: The containers should be strong and durable to avoid frequent breakage. It
should withstand the rough handling by the crew members during manual and mechanical unloading
of wastes. Strong and durable containers will last long and minimize the cost of collection.

 Containers should be provided with wheels to facilitate movement, handle for easy carrying and
hoist and tail for lifting.

 The containers should not absorb moisture: Retention of moisture in the container will lead to
bacterial and fungal growth, thereby accelerating the decomposition rate of wastes. Example,
wooden containers, bamboo baskets should be avoided.

 The container material should be light, smooth, corrosion resistant, inert and recyclable.

Containers that lack above mentioned characteristics should be avoided in waste collection as they
would create menace, increase the collection cost and decrease collection efficiency.

Solid and Hazardous Waste Management

Environmental
Sciences Waste collection – Storage containers and collection vehicles
 2.2 Types of storage containers

Broadly, there are two principle types of collection containers: stationary and hauled/ movable
containers.

 Stationary containers: These are immovable and fixed at the site of storage. The waste stored in these
containers is manually transferred by the waste collection crew. at certain times the stationary
containers are emptied directly into the collection vehicle by mechanical means.

 Hauled/ movable containers: These types of containers are fixed with wheels to facilitate its
movement to waste processing site, transfer station or directly to the disposal site. These containers
are used for special type of wastes (i.e.) when the wastes need separate treatment and processing.

Generally, there is third type of containers called communal or public containers. It is conventional type
of containers that is in use for almost 3 to 4 decades. Communal containers are those which are fixed in
public places such as parks, residential colonies, shopping streets, office buildings and institutions. They
can be stationary (i.e.) fixed on the ground and movable. In India, these are cemented structure which is
used by public to dump their wastes. These containers are open and hence face problems during rain. It
also attracts flies, insects, rodents and other stray animals. Communal containers require manual
cleaning which further increases the cost of collection. In containers built below the vehicle level
requires swiping, cleaning and loading of solid wastes into the transfer containers before loading into
the collection vehicle. This increases the collection time. In recent times these communal containers are
provided with hoists and tails compatible with collection vehicles lifting mechanisms. Such movable
communal containers are generally of capacity, 1 to 4 m3. However in places of high rate waste
generation (large commercial centers, wet markets and other business establishments) the capacity of
communal containers ranges from 12 to 20 m3. The major disadvantage of these communal containers
is, they emit foul odour due to limited maintenance. High rate of failure is .observed in fixed communal
containers.

Solid and Hazardous Waste Management

Environmental
Sciences Waste collection – Storage containers and collection vehicles
 Source: http://www.wastecontainer.co/en/products/waste-container/four-wheeled

Figure 1 Hauled containers

Source: http://ec.europa.eu/trade/policy/policy-making/sustainable-development/green-goods/waste-
container_en.htm

Figure 2 Stationary containers

Solid and Hazardous Waste Management

Environmental
Sciences Waste collection – Storage containers and collection vehicles
 Source: http://rainmanspeaks.blogspot.in/2014/06/lets-talk-r-u-b-b-i-s-h-bangalore.html
Figure 3 Cemented communal containers
2.3 Location of containers

A container should be placed in an appropriate location to ease waste collection. The container should
be placed at a distance of 100 to 200 meters. Larger distance between the container and the source of
generation will discourage people from dumping the wastes into the container. The location of the
container will depend on

 The width and length of the lane/ road.

 Ease of collection vehicle to reach the containers

 The amount of waste generation and type of source generation example, commercial, residential,
institutional etc.

 Traffic congestion

In narrow roads, the collection containers can be placed equidistantly at a distance of 100 meters. The
containers can be placed alternatively on either side of lane. Example, on one side the distance between

Solid and Hazardous Waste Management

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Sciences Waste collection – Storage containers and collection vehicles
 two collection containers can be 200 meters while on the other side of the lane, the distance can be 100
meters. In case of narrow streets with low traffic congestion, the containers can be placed at a longer
distance. A resident will fail to walk 50 meters to dispose the waste into the containers. Another
disadvantage of placing the container at short distance would be increased fuel consumption of
collection vehicle. Stoppage at every 50 meters will increase the fuel consumption of the collection
vehicle. It is always better to place the collection container at the end of the street, this would minimize
the collection and the transportation cost.
200 m

100 m

100 m 100 m

100 m 100 m 100 m

50 m 50 m 50 m 50 m 50 m 50 m

Figure 4 Location of containers

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 3.0 Waste collection vehicles

The collection vehicles are of different types, classified based on their size, and compaction. Three types
of collection vehicles viz. small scale collection and muscle powered vehicles, non compactor trucks
and compactor trucks. The selection of collection vehicle depends upon the nature and density of wastes,
terrain or location of the area, density of population, strength and capability of collection crew. The
different types of collection vehicle used in municipal solid waste collection is described below

Source: https://github.com/ecmadao/Coding-Guide/blob/master

Figure 5 Waste collection vehicle used in ancient times

3.1 Small scale collection and muscle powered vehicles

These vehicles are commonly used in rural and hilly terrain. Vehicles such as rickshaw, bullock carts
and tricycles manually are usually used for this purpose. These vehicles are comparatively low cost and
easy to construct and maintain. These vehicles are appropriate for areas with dense population having
narrow streets with comparatively less quantity of waste generation. Restricted travel range of these

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 vehicles and exposure of weather which influence humans and animals are some of the disadvantage
associated with these waste collection vehicles.

Source: www.nptel/Municipal solid waste management.com;

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pushcart_for_waste_collection_(7825756204).jpg

Figure 6 Small and muscle powered vehicles

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Solid and Hazardous Waste Management

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 3.2 Non compactor trucks

Non compactor trucks are known to be relatively more efficient and affordable. These vehicles are
generally utilized in small cities. These are used for dense waste that has minimum potential for
compaction. These compactor trucks have capacity of in the range of 10-12 m3 and are generally used
to cover small distances of less than 15 km. The non compactor trucks are usually covered to avoid
flying of waste material and entry of rain water into the waste. These trucks are preferred when labour
cost is high. Similar to muscle power vehicles non compactor trucks are also operated by single person.

Source: http://www.brainkart.com/article/Solid-Waste-Management--Vehicle-storage-method_4034/

Figure 7 Non compactor trucks

3.3 Compactor trucks

These vehicles are provided with compaction system to hydraulically compact the waste. Compaction
increases the capacity of these trucks by 2-2.5 times. The capacity of these vehicles range between 12
to 15m3. The compactor trucks are suitable for narrow roads. However, small collection vehicles such
as tricycles and bullock carts can discharge their waste into these compactor trucks. The vehicles are
provided with lifting mechanism to discharge the waste from stationary containers located at the source
of generation. The empting of the containers can be done from the rear, front or sides of the vehicles.
The compactor trucks can carry waste directly from the source of generation to waste processing site.
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 Source: https://barbrahmusambachamamumba.com/2015/08/14/the-opportunities-how-smart-africans-
can-start-making-money-from-waste/

Figure 8 Compactor trucks

The major advantages of compactor trucks include large size, higher capacity, covered and safe for waste
handlers due to minimum exposure. The compactors trucks cannot be used for waste that are dense, wet,
gritty, dusty and abrasive waste.

3.4 Specialized collection vehicle

The specialized collection vehicles such as closed body recycling trucks, recycling trailers, modified flat
bed trucks, flat bed trucks, open bin recycling trucks and compartmentalize trucks are mainly used for
collection of wastes segregated at the source. In developed countries large wastes storage containers are
located outdoors or basement for collection of recyclables. The recyclables are further transported to the
processing site through specialized collection vehicles.

3.4.1 Standard packer trucks: It is a specialized collection vehicle used for the collection of
recyclables. Vehicles with rear loading have been used for newspaper, cardboard and magazine
collection. Special trailers attached to the rear loading packers are used for can and gas collection. While
collection glass and cans, compacting mechanism is not used as glasses are highly abrasive and would
damage the packer plate also unbroken glass would facilitate easy sorting at the processing site. Similar
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 to rare loading packers, front- end loaders are used to collect newspapers, glass and can from apartment
buildings.
3.4.2 Closed body recycling trucks: The trucks consists of an enclosed steel body installed on a
lowered truck chassis, low entry walk in cab fitted with left and right driving control. The body of these
trucks is provided with adjustable hinged dividers to create 2 to 4 compartments. The overall capacity
of these trucks range from 24.6 to 28 meter cube. The trucks can be loaded manually by opening one or
both sides of the compartment and mechanically with front mounted telescopic hoist.

3.4.3 Mobile container system: It consists of a steel frame with a set of hydraulic fork used to
transport large winds. Around 3 to 6 winds can be transported by this system. The waste is loaded into
the system by lowering the fork-lifts to the ground, through which the bins are lifted over and slided
into channels on the under side of the bins. The empty bins are hydraulically raised and secured to the
trailer frame and replaced in its original position.

3.4.4 Modified flatbed trucks: The standard flatbed truck is used for the curbside collection. In these
types of vehicles, there is hydraulic dumping box fitted on the top of the truck bed. The dumping box
has 3 or 4 compartments which have the standard volume of around 14.7 m3.

3.4.5 Open bin recycling truck: This type of specialized collection vehicle have 2 or 3 self dumping
bin with exposed top. The waste is emptied mechanically into the bins through low mounted truffs. The
capacity of front bins is around 5.4 m3 to 7.3 m3 and back bins are 9.1 m3 to 11 m3. The wastes from the
back bins are discharged from the rear side of the vehicle.

4.0 Types of collection system

The waste collection systems are classified based on the mode of operation, equipment used and type of
waste collected. Based on the mode of operation, the collection system is characterized into two types,
hauled container system and stationary container system.

4.1 Hauled containers

In this type of collection system, the waste containers are hauled to discharge the waste directly to the
transfer station, material recovery facility or disposal site. This system is commonly used in places where
the size of the containers is large and rate of waste generation is relatively high. Large containers will
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 avoid waste accumulation, unsanitary condition and improper use of small containers. The major
advantage of hauled container system is their flexibility to use containers of different size and shape.
They are also available for the collection of any type of waste. Hauled container system also minimizes
the size of collection crew as it requires one truck and a driver for a round trip to the waste processing
or disposal site. Highly compressible waste can also be transported to the hauled container system. This
system always requires one collector driver for collection and emptying the containers. In rare cases a
helper is attached. There are three main types of hauled container system, mainly hoist truck, tilt frame
container and trash trailer.

 Hoist truck systems: Hoist truck system previously were used at military setting up but after the
arrival of self loading waste collection vehicles, its usage has been restricted to few pick up points
where huge waste is generated where newer and efficient system would incur high cost.

Figure 9 Hoist truck systems (https://www.biocycle.net/2014/08/14/demand-grows-for-food-

waste-collection-trucks/)
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  Tilt frame container system: Tilt frame loaded vehicles are used for collection of rubbish and other
solid waste. Tilt frame loaded vehicles along with the large containers are called as drop boxes or
roll of containers. Large volume of waste can be hauled with the tilt frame loaded vehicles due to
which they are popular among private collection services.

 Trash trailer system: It is similar to that of tilt frame container system. They are best suited for
carrying heavy rubbish such as metal, timber and sand. They are often used in construction sites, to
collect demolishing waste.

Container location Pick up loaded Deposit empty Drive to next pickup location
container 1 container container
2 3 n

Truck from
dispatch station; Truck to dispatch
beginning of station: end of daily
daily route route

Haul loaded container from location 1

Haul empty container to original pickup

location

Transfer station, MRF, or disposal

site (contents of container are
emptied)

Figure 10 Hauled container system (conventional mode)

4.2 Stationary container system:

Stationary container system is used to collect all type of waste. In the stationary collection system, the
storage containers remain at the source of generation. According to the type and quality of waste to be
handled, the stationary container system are classified into two types

1. Systems in which the collection vehicles are loaded manually: This system is commonly used for
collecting residential source separated waste, litter and co-mingled waste. Manual loading is done at
places where the waste generation is small and the accessibility to pick up points is difficult for
mechanically loaded vehicles.
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Sciences Waste collection – Storage containers and collection vehicles
 Deposit empty container from previous
Container location
location and pick up loaded container
1 2 3 n

Truck from
dispatch station;
beginning of daily
route

Haul loaded container from location 1

Truck with empty
container to dispatch
station: end of daily route
Haul empty container to originally at location 1 to
location 2

Transfer station, MRF, or disposal site

(contents of container are emptied)

Figure 11 Hauled container system (exchange container mode)

Load content from container (s) Drive to next pickup location

at pickup location into collection
vehicles
1 2 3 n
Solis waste pickup
location

Truck from
dispatch station;
beginning of daily
 route
 Collection route
Drive loaded collection vehicles to
location where content of vehicles will
be emptied

Drive empty collection vehicle to beginning of Transfer station, MRF, or disposal site
next route or return to dispatch station: end of (contents of container are emptied)
route

Figure 12 Stationary container system

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 2. Systems in which the collection vehicles are loaded mechanically: The capacity of these containers
used in mechanical containers is 0.9 m3. It facilitates ease of loading and provides greater flexibility.
In some cases large containers are also used as a substitute for number of small containers. This
system is not suitable for the collection of heavy waste. Example, industrial waste and rubbish.

The stationary container system involves worker fatigue and increased capital and maintenance cost.
The personnel requirement for the stationary collection system varies from one to three depending upon
the type of service and collection equipment.

5.0 Summary

To summarize, in this module we have familiarized about

 Storage containers and its characteristics

 types of storage containers and their location criteria

 Collection vehicle and their types

 types of collection systems

References

 George Tchobanoglous, Frank Kreith (2002) Handbook of Solid Waste Management, Second
Edition, Mc Graw-Hill publication.
 TV Ramachandran (2009), ‘Management of Municipal Solid Waste’. Centre for Ecological
Sciences, IISc Karnataka research foundation.
 www.nptel/Municipal solid waste management.com

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