Volume Reduction Technology

Solid waste volume reduction mainly occurs in the following three ways:

• Chemical volume reduction technology
  – Chemical volume reduction is a method wherein volume reduction occurs through chemical changes brought within the waste
• Mechanical volume reduction technology
  – The most important factor in the development of solid waste management systems. Vehicles equipped with compaction mechanisms are used for the collection of most municipal solid wastes
• Thermal volume reduction technology
  – The volume of municipal wastes can be reduced by more than 90% by incineration

Waste compaction is compacting waste, reducing the waste in size. Garbage compactors and waste collection vehicles compress waste so that more of it can be stored in the same space at a given time. For example, a portable waste compactor will hold as much waste as a skip, which means far fewer collections and much lower disposal costs. On the other hand, wet waste compactors are portable machines that have been designed to compact wet waste materials.

The proper technique for solid waste compaction consists of shredding the waste into small pieces, pushing it to mix it, and then placing it to fill voids. The last step is compacting it to maximize the tonnage of waste using a minimum of space in the landfill.

Benefits of waste compaction

• Reduces space taken up by waste on site
• Easier to store due to its regular shape
• Ease of transportation due to fewer vehicles required
• Reduced storage costs and transportation cost

A waste compactor is excellent for reducing the space that your waste takes up. However, recycling properly after compaction can be more challenging, and most collection companies won’t attempt to sort it as there are higher risks of contaminating materials making their way onto the cardboard and plastic.

Baling of waste materials is a process that compresses the material into a block, also known as a bale, which is then secured by plastic or wire strapping. Balers are used in many industries such as manufacturing, schools, retail outlets, recycling facilities, and other businesses. Materials such as textiles, cardboard, cans, foam, plastics, and bottles are compressed in balers and then baled for transport to a garbage or recycling facility.

The benefits of the baling process are roughly the same as they are for waste compaction; the method being used depends on the materials being reduced and what will happen to it after the process. The benefits of baling are as follows.

• Reduces space taken up by waste on site
• Easier to store due to its regular shape
• Ease of transportation due to fewer vehicles required
• Reduced storage costs and transportation cost
• Increase revenue

A waste baler is a preferred method to handle separated recycling waste streams. Not only does a baler mean that you can save space in your premises and create a cleaner environment, but it is also preferred by recycling centers too to maximize the revenue of the bales for shipment abroad.

Composting is the natural decomposition process and recycling of organic material into a humus-rich soil amendment known as compost. This organic material can be easily decomposed into high-quality compost for any business or institution producing food waste. Composting is a sustainable waste management practice that converts any volume of accumulated organic waste into a usable product.

The general rule is if it can be eaten or grown in a field or garden, it can be composted, such as fruits, vegetables, dairy products, grains, coffee filters, meats, newspapers, and many more.

• Combining organic wastes, such as wasted food, yard trimmings, and manures
• Adding bulking agents such as wood chips as necessary to accelerate the breakdown of organic materials
• Allowing the finished material to stabilize and mature through a curing process

• Reduces methane emissions from landfills and lowers the carbon footprint
• Enriches soil, helping retain moisture and suppress plant diseases and pests
• Encourages the production of beneficial bacteria and fungi