Compaction Solution is the Best Solution for the Environment

By Adriana Noton

When disposing of our waste, we all want to dispose of it in a way that has the least negative impact on the environment. One such way is known as Compaction. Compaction is a method of handling solid waste by rolling and tamping. As it sounds, compaction makes the bulk smaller by making it more compact. One of the prime reasons that compaction of bulk waste is beneficial for the environment is simply that compacted waste is more efficient, that is, it takes less room. Up to half the space in a waste container could be air; compacting bulk waste means that more can be stored in any bin, reducing the costs of storage and pick-up, especially in commercial and manufacturing settings. Compaction can reduce the volume of bulk waste at a ratio of 5:1. The costs of disposal are lower, as less energy is needed to haul it away.

Compaction is also more hygienic when disposing of hazardous, food or pharmaceutical products. A compacter will enclose the waste in a sealed container, discouraging vermin, birds and leakage of fluids. Municipalities usually deal with solid waste in one of two ways; incineration or landfill. Incineration leaves not only ash, which contains toxins and poses disposal challenges, but the process itself, releases many undesirable gasses into the air. There are fixed costs associated with incineration such as the high costs of building the facility itself and the energy costs fueling a fire hot enough to break down the waste.

Compaction is not only an efficient solution for the storage of bulk waste, but it is also more efficient in landfill sites, for the same reasons. Compacted waste takes less space, is more hygienic, and prevents leakage of waste liquids into the groundwater. Landfill sites ideally should maximize the space available; to reduce costs of land, handling and the equipment needed to manage the site. When a site is full, another site must be built. Compaction lengthens the life of a landfill by eliminating air space. Available space for landfill is shrinking; large cities often ship their trash hundreds of kilometers away, as all available land nearby is built. The fuel and labor involved compounds the costs of handling waste.

Home trash compacters are available as well. It is an appliance that fits under the counter, and uses a motor to crush and compact the trash put into it. It is recommended not to put solvents, paints or hazardous materials into the compacter, or broken glass as any of these could damage the motor. The home compacter can dramatically reduce the bulk of household trash, making the pick-up and disposal by municipal services more efficient.

The benefits of compaction, whether in the home, business, industry, or ultimately in the landfill, are the most efficient use of space, reduction in energy and labor costs to transport and handle the waste, containment of effluent that attracts vermin and contaminates groundwater, and longer life for landfill sites. These all add up to important environmental benefits such as a smaller carbon footprint and less hazard to the surrounding ecosystem. Compaction solution is the best solution for the environment.

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