Waste collection
Encyclopedia
Waste collection is the component of waste management
which results in the passage of a waste material from the source of production to either the point of treatment or final disposal
. Waste collection also includes the kerbside collection
of recyclable materials that technically are not waste
, as part of a municipal landfill diversion
program.
s or recycling bins prior to collection by a waste collector
using a waste collection vehicle
.
However, in many developing countries, such as Mexico
and Egypt
, residents must interact with the waste collectors, or else trash is not removed (waste left in bins or bags at the side of the road cannot be expected to be removed).
For example, in Mexico City
residents must haul their trash to a waste collection vehicle which makes frequent stops around each neighborhood. The waste collectors will indicate their readiness by ringing a distinctive bell and possibly shouting. Residents line up and hand their trash container to the waste collector. Depending on the neighborhood, a tip may be expected. Additionally, private contractors waste collectors may circulate in the same neighborhoods as many as 5 times per day, pushing a cart with a waste container, ringing a bell and shouting to announce their presence. These private contractors are not paid a salary, and survive only on the tips they receive. Later, they meet up with a waste collection vehicle to deposit their accumulated waste.
The waste collection vehicle will often take the waste to a transfer station
where it will be loaded up into a larger vehicle and sent either to landfill or to an alternative waste treatment facility.
There are a number of problems that can occur in Commercial Waste Collection. Overfilled bins result in rubbish falling out while being tipped. Hazardous rubbish (like empty petrol cans) lead to fires that ignite other rubbish when truck compactor is operating. Other non-paying parties can attempt to put rubbish in a bin. This behaviour is prevented by putting chains, bars and locks on the bins.
A common severe incident that occurs with many front lift garbage trucks is the pulling down of powerlines. If hooks are left upright at the top of the crunk, they are in prime position to pull down powerlines. Truck drivers are now being trained in identifying and managing powerline hazards.
Waste management
Waste management is the collection, transport, processing or disposal,managing and monitoring of waste materials. The term usually relates to materials produced by human activity, and the process is generally undertaken to reduce their effect on health, the environment or aesthetics...
which results in the passage of a waste material from the source of production to either the point of treatment or final disposal
Landfill
A landfill site , is a site for the disposal of waste materials by burial and is the oldest form of waste treatment...
. Waste collection also includes the kerbside collection
Kerbside collection
Curbside collection, or kerbside collection is a service provided to households, typically in urban and suburban areas, of removing household waste...
of recyclable materials that technically are not waste
Waste
Waste is unwanted or useless materials. In biology, waste is any of the many unwanted substances or toxins that are expelled from living organisms, metabolic waste; such as urea, sweat or feces. Litter is waste which has been disposed of improperly...
, as part of a municipal landfill diversion
Landfill diversion
Waste diversion or landfill diversion is the process of diverting waste from landfill. The success of landfill diversion can be measured by comparison of the size of the landfill from one year to the next. If the landfill grows minimally or remains the same, then policies covering landfill...
program.
Household Waste Collection
Household waste in economically developed countries will generally be left in waste containerWaste container
A waste container is a container for temporarily storing refuse and waste. Different terms are in use, depending on the language area, the design and material and the respective site .The most general terms are waste receptacle and container bin.Common terms include dustbin ,...
s or recycling bins prior to collection by a waste collector
Waste collector
A waste collector is a person employed by a public or private enterprise to collect and remove refuse and recyclables from residential, commercial, industrial or other collection site for further processing and disposal...
using a waste collection vehicle
Waste collection vehicle
Garbage truck refers to a truck specially designed to collect small quantities of waste and haul the collected waste to a solid waste treatment facility. Other common names for this type of truck include trash truck and dump truck in the United States, and bin wagon, dustcart, dustbin lorry, bin...
.
However, in many developing countries, such as Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
and Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
, residents must interact with the waste collectors, or else trash is not removed (waste left in bins or bags at the side of the road cannot be expected to be removed).
For example, in Mexico City
Mexico City
Mexico City is the Federal District , capital of Mexico and seat of the federal powers of the Mexican Union. It is a federal entity within Mexico which is not part of any one of the 31 Mexican states but belongs to the federation as a whole...
residents must haul their trash to a waste collection vehicle which makes frequent stops around each neighborhood. The waste collectors will indicate their readiness by ringing a distinctive bell and possibly shouting. Residents line up and hand their trash container to the waste collector. Depending on the neighborhood, a tip may be expected. Additionally, private contractors waste collectors may circulate in the same neighborhoods as many as 5 times per day, pushing a cart with a waste container, ringing a bell and shouting to announce their presence. These private contractors are not paid a salary, and survive only on the tips they receive. Later, they meet up with a waste collection vehicle to deposit their accumulated waste.
The waste collection vehicle will often take the waste to a transfer station
Transfer station
A transfer station is a building or processing site for the temporary deposition of waste. Transfer stations are often used as places where local waste collection vehicles will deposit their waste cargo prior to loading into larger vehicles...
where it will be loaded up into a larger vehicle and sent either to landfill or to an alternative waste treatment facility.
Commercial Waste Collection
Other things that are considered in Waste Collection is the positioning of the bin, type and size of bin, and how often it is to be serviced.There are a number of problems that can occur in Commercial Waste Collection. Overfilled bins result in rubbish falling out while being tipped. Hazardous rubbish (like empty petrol cans) lead to fires that ignite other rubbish when truck compactor is operating. Other non-paying parties can attempt to put rubbish in a bin. This behaviour is prevented by putting chains, bars and locks on the bins.
A common severe incident that occurs with many front lift garbage trucks is the pulling down of powerlines. If hooks are left upright at the top of the crunk, they are in prime position to pull down powerlines. Truck drivers are now being trained in identifying and managing powerline hazards.
See also
- Automated Vacuum CollectionAutomated Vacuum CollectionThe Automated Vacuum Waste Collection System, also known as pneumatic refuse collection, or Automated Vacuum Collection system, transports waste at high speed through underground tunnels to a collection station where it is compacted and sealed in containers. When the container is full, it is...
- Beach cleanerBeach cleanerA beach cleaner is a vehicle that drags a raking or sifting device over beach sand to remove rubbish and other foreign matter. Beach cleaners are either manually hand-drawn or pulled by quad-bike or tractor. Seaside cities use beach cleaning machines to combat the problems of litter left by beach...
- Dempster Dinosaur
- Dempster DumpmasterDempster DumpmasterThe Dempster Dumpmaster, introduced in the 1950s, was the first United States commercially successful front loading garbage truck.Built by Dempster Brothers, Inc of Knoxville, Tennessee, they used the Dempster-Dumpster system of mechanically emptying standardised metal containers, which had been...
- Mercedes-Benz EconicMercedes-Benz EconicThe Mercedes-Benz Econic is a truck introduced by Mercedes-Benz. It is normally used for waste collection, fire and emergency purposes and airport ground services....
- Waste bin