Commercial Waste Compactor Hire

A waste compactor uses a hydraulic metal ram to crush waste, reducing its surface area. Compactors typically work similarly to a baler with most rams pushing downwards to stick waste together. You load the chamber before turning it on to activate the ramming process. The compacted waste ends up in a removable container.

However, the result differs from a baler as the waste is compressed but it doesn’t produce a bale in the same way a baler does. This is because lots of waste produced by a compactor goes to landfill rather than onwards for further processing.

The benefits of using a waste compactor are:

• Cut waste collection costs and frequencies with less waste that needs removing from your business.
• Save space to store waste before it’s removed from your premises.
• Improve health and safety with less volume of waste minimising the chance of accidents and fires.
• Help the environment by reducing the amount of waste sent to landfill and fuel used to transport your waste with fewer collections.
• Keep your premises clean to create a better workplace environment and impress visitors, clients, and suppliers.

All sorts of waste can be compacted. They were initially designed for use with general waste to reduce how much space it takes up in landfill. Today you can use a compactor machine to reduce the volume of many kinds of dry mixed waste, including recycling. Some of the common waste types you can put in a compactor are:

• General waste
• Paper recycling
• Cardboard waste
• Plastic recycling
• Packaging waste
• Wood waste
• Polystyrene
• Aluminium cans

You should not use a waste compactor with any liquid, electrical, heavy metals, soil, nappy, or pet waste. Instead, find a relevant waste container to store such refuse.

How much space a waste compactor saves depends on the type and amount of rubbish you have. Compacting general waste can save about 75% of space otherwise needed to store it. Using cardboard compactors may save up to 90% of space by reducing its volume. Some waste types are easier to compact and reduce in volume than others.

How much money you can save using a waste compactor depends on the amount and type of waste you produce that needs compacting. As a waste compactor reduces the volume of the rubbish by around 75% it can mean you need 75% fewer waste collections. This could help your business cut waste collection costs by two-thirds.

The main environmental benefit of using a waste compactor is that by reducing the volume of waste it means fewer collections are needed. Fewer waste removals to take rubbish to a recycling centre, anaerobic digestion plant, or landfill means less fuel is used. This ensures fewer greenhouse gas emissions are released.

Using a waste compactor also minimises the volume of waste that ends up in landfill. It can help businesses properly separate waste to ensure as much as possible is recycled by compacting it together.

You can’t put hazardous waste in most waste compactors, as the majority are designed for dry mixed waste. However, there are specific hazardous waste compactors available. These are designed to compact contaminated rubbish. Many work by placing a barrel of hazardous waste into a special compactor, which squashes it down from the top.

This compacts the hazardous waste within the barrel for easy and safe removal. Only solid hazardous waste can be compacted though, no liquid waste. Call 0800 211 8390 or contact us online to discuss using a hazardous waste compactor.

There are a few different types of waste compactors available to use, which include:

• Static compactors – Designed for manufacturing facilities, static compactors are bolted in place and are perfect for churning through high volumes of dry and bulky waste. Static compactors typically have chambers ranging between a 1 and 4 cubic yard capacity. Static compactors are simple to empty by removing and swapping out the skip.
• Vertical compactors – Vertical compactors squash waste down from above into a removable container, where it can be transported from the compactor safely and securely. The liquid inside the compactor is held there until the container is removed, making waste disposal mess and hassle-free.
• Apartment compactors or twin compactors – This type of waste disposal unit is designed to save space and money, as you don’t need two separate machines. It increases production by offering two apartments. Where you have twin waste streams (run separately, not at the same time or into the same bale) each waste stream has access to its own chute leading to the single compactor. It’s slightly smaller than the traditional vertical compactor, as the apartment compactor is around 2 cubic yards in size, allowing for multiple compactors to be held at any one time.
• Portable compactors – Some compactors are designed to be fully portable, such as skips with compaction built in. This type of waste disposal is usually managed by an external firm, which will remove the unit entirely to empty it offsite.

A waste compactor should be emptied when full. This depends on how much waste you produce and put into the compactor regularly. Some businesses may store up waste before placing it in a compactor, while others might put it in the compactor as waste is generated.

Once the waste compactor is full it must be emptied before you can use it again. When the hydraulics reach absolute pressure it activates a pressure switch. This indicates to the programmable logic controller (PLC) that the compactor is full and that you need to empty it.

Regular maintenance is required for a waste compactor to ensure it operates safely and effectively:

• Check the hydraulic oil reservoir level, as well as for any leaks or damage to the hydraulic hoses Repair and replace if required.
• Inspect and clean the power unit to provide a clean airflow around the unit. Wipe grease, dust, and dirt off the control box’s exterior.
• Ensure all safety guards and access covers are secure and in the right place and condition before turning on the compactor.
• Every month grease the lower door hinges and lock assembly and check all nuts and bolts.
• Change the oil filter after the first 50 hours of operation, and then after every 250 hours of use.
• A licensed electrician should inspect the electrical system once a year to ensure everything works and to prevent failures and breakdowns.
• Annual maintenance should also include draining and refilling the reservoir with high-quality all-weather hydraulic fluid and checking hoses and connections.

You can rent or lease a waste compactor rather than buying one. Waste compactor rental is a popular choice for many businesses as there are no upfront costs. It also provides a flexible option if you only need a compactor for a limited amount of time.

At Business Waste we can provide a free quote for waste compactor rental and leasing anywhere in the UK. Call 0800 211 8390 or contact us online for your free quote today.

A compactor hire price varies depending on a range of factors. The type and size of waste compactor you need, how long you want to rent it for, and where in the UK you’re based are the main elements that affect a compactor hire price. Generally, hiring a compactor is more cost-effective than buying one.

The easiest way to see how much it costs to hire a waste compactor is to apply for a free no obligation quote with Business Waste. Call 0800 211 8390 or contact us online for a price that’s tailored to your needs.

Most waste compactor hire includes:

• Delivery and installation of the waste compactor
• Compactor maintenance and repairs
• Ongoing support and a dedicated customer service team
• Staff training to use the compactor
• Removal of the waste compactor at the end of your hire period

Some waste compactor hire agreements may include additional services. At Business Waste, we can also arrange the collection and disposal of your compacted waste. Call 0800 211 8390 or contact us online to add this to your waste compactor hire service.

You can rent a waste compactor for anywhere from a few weeks to a couple of years. Waste compactor hire agreements can vary greatly in length, with some companies offering fixed periods while others provide flexible terms. The length of your waste compactor rental may affect the price and conditions.

If you only need a compactor for a couple of months it may work out more expensive per week than if you hire one for a year, for example. However, renting a waste compactor is often a more cost-effective choice for many businesses compared to buying one outright.

Waste compactors can be used in most residential areas. They can be quite loud, depending on their size and the waste being compacted. Therefore, you should be considerate if using a compactor in a residential area. Also, check any restrictions as the use of a compactor in a residential area varies by location.

Important safety measures required to use a waste compactor:

• Wear appropriate safety gear, such as gloves, goggles, earplugs, hard hats, and steel-toe boots when using a waste compactor.
• Follow all safety instructions in the operating manual of the waste compactor.
• Check the compactor for any leaks, damage, and tags or marks by maintenance that indicate repairs required before turning on the machine.
• Ensure all waste compactor safety equipment and guards are in place.
• Only turn on and use the compactor if you’re properly trained and comfortable.
• Never try to fix the waste compactor unless fully trained. If there are any problems, stop operating the machine and report the issue to the appropriate person.
• Do not climb inside or insert a hand, arm, or leg into the compactor to fix a blockage, jam, or another issue.
• Power down and leave the waste compactor turned off when not in use.

A waste compactor can be used to crush recycling materials together and reduce its volume. You can put cardboard, paper, some plastics, aluminium, and other recycling in a waste compactor. Separate recycling materials into individual streams before putting them in a waste compactor so they can be recycled after being compacted.

The noise a waste compactor makes varies depending on its size, type, and specific model, as well as the waste being compacted. Heavier waste types can be louder to compact compared to lighter waste streams. The placement of your waste compactor may also affect how loud it sounds.

All waste compactors should include the decibel level of the machine in their product information. Check this to see how much noise you can expect from a waste compactor.

We’ll be in touch before your rental period for a waste compactor ends to see what you want to do. You might want to extend the rental, upgrade to a different compactor, switch to a bigger or smaller machine, or just return the machine. We can discuss the options and advise on the available options.

After the rental period for your waste compactor ends a professional team will come and remove the machine. We’ll help arrange a time and date. You’ll need to ensure the compactor is accessible (remove anything in the way for its removal) and in good condition.

The team will come to your site and expertly remove the waste compactor. They’ll need space to park on your site and a clear pathway for removal, which should be possible as they managed to install it initially. Once it’s removed they’ll be in touch if there are any issues or further steps required.

A static compactor stays fixed in place and compresses waste into a detachable container.

A portable compactor combines the machine and container in one unit, which is removed when full.

Static compactors usually work well for high-volume dry waste, while portable units are more suited for general waste and materials containing some moisture.