Question

Discuss the main types of containers used for storage of solid wastes, together with their disadvantages

Answer 1

1.Simple Emptying Method
The Simple Emptying Method is used for the removal of household and small-scale commercial
waste with mobile containers which are drained at the consumer. A lot of different standardized
containers are used. These containers are emptied by combination top-loaders that can pick up many
different container sizes. Some container systems have been modernized to include self-compactors.
With this system it is possible to charge 2 to 3 times to container volume.

2. Container Systems / Storage
Storage means the holding of waste for a temporary period ot time. There are different storage
systems in use. In the following, a few of them will be described. To ensure efficient and mechanized
waste collection, the number and size of containers must be standardized. Today, wheeled
containers with capacities of 110 to 1.000 L, partly as much as 5.000 L, are used for household waste
collection.
3. Garbage Cans and Trash Barrels / Eurobin
The smallest, standardized garbage cans are round with capacities of 35 to 50 L. They are made of
galvanized sheet metal or plastic. The next in size standardized cans are made exclusively of plastic,
with capacities up to 120 L capacities. Furthermore cans with up to 360 L capacity already exists.
Finally, small amounts of garbage are collected in a variety of trash barrels and dumpsters.

4.Large-sized Containers
Due to the rising quantities of waste, large sheet metal and plastic containers with wheels were
developed. The transport by the consumer and handling by the collection crew is effortless with these
containers.

The 1.100 L container is appropriated for locations where large quantities of

waste are generated. These are for example markets, sporting events or businesses. Just as the
other large containers (120 – 5.000 L), these Large-sized Containers are also serviced using the
simple emptying method.

Another type of Large-sized containers are the over-sized containers or dumpsters with capacities of
up to 40m3. They are used for commercial and industrial wastes, but also in locations where large quantities of waste are generated on a regular or incidental basis. The most frequent types are charging boxes; open containers with capacities between 7 and 20 m3, another type are containers with capacities between 10 and 40 m3
These containers are serviced using the exchange method.
Other storage units are containers, tanks, containment buildings, drip pads, waste piles, and surface
impendent, most of them used to store hazardous waste.

*Compactors
By the collection of domestic waste, commercial waste similar to domestic waste and bulky waste
are closed vehicles with special constructional systems in use. These vehicles have different kinds
of compaction appliances. They are loaded with universal or system fills from behind.
Vehicle with a rotary drum compactor
At vehicles with a rotary drum compactor the waste drops into a drum that is rotating. The drum
turns with about 4 rotations per minute. The drum is also equiped with an auger welded on the
inside. Rotation direction and auger orientation are arranged in a way, that the waste is moved
towards to the forward wall. Because of the the continious forward movement the compaction
results in a factor of 2 to 4. There is also a shredding and mixture-effect due to this method. This
effekt is desired for incineration, for sorting and recycling the mixture-effect is adverse.
Trucks with self contained compactors
These vehicles are loaded over a prechamber. The prechamber is emptied by a hydraulic ram and
the content is pressed into the transport container.
To empty the vehicle, the rear door opened and the front board is moved backward. Thereby the
load is pushed out