Waste Experts’ Take on Modern Waste Management Techniques

Our waste experts at Bay Area Trash Compactor are always searching for new innovative ways to deal with waste efficiently and effectively. With the rise of smart technology, waste management has become a rapidly evolving industry centered around reducing the environmental impact of the waste we are producing. In this article, we’ll take you through the modern waste management techniques we’ve tried and approved – plus the new methods of the future that we can’t wait to get our hands on. 

Why Do We Need a Modern Waste Management? 

Modern problems require modern solutions. This catchy phrase rings true, especially when it comes to uniquely modern and manmade problems. The truth of the matter is that the rapid growth of the population, industrialization, urbanization, modernization, and digitalization has resulted in a dramatic increase in the waste we produce in every sector. Americans create nearly 20% of the world’s garbage: that’s 250 million tons of trash every year from the U.S. alone.

Waste Experts Say Landfills Are Running Out of Space 

“Seven states are looking at running out of landfill space in the next five years, one state will reach capacity in five to 10 years and three states have 11 to 20 years to go. But 22 states have available landfill space for decades to come.” 

–2015 analysis conducted by Dr. Bryan Staley, CEO of the Environmental Research & Education foundation

The consequences of improper waste management worldwide include: 

• Water pollution, air pollution, soil and land pollution 
• Negative effects on the environment
• Health hazards and poor health outcomes
• Ocean and lake contamination
• Disease transmission
• Insect and pest infestation
• Increased respiratory issues
• Animal illness, injury, and death
• Economic stagnation
• Unhygienic and unsightly landfills
• Increased greenhouse gas emission 

MODERN TECHNIQUES TO MANAGE WASTE

The main objective of modern waste management techniques is to reduce the volume and impact of waste on the environment. In the past, the primary method of waste disposal was incineration or dumping waste into a landfill. Both of these techniques pose problems: incineration produces excessive unhealthy smoke and particles, and landfills fill up. Apart from recycling, pay-as-you-throw household waste programs, and advancements in garbage truck space and efficiency, there have been few overhauls in America’s waste management system since the early 2000s. 

At Bay Area Trash Compactor, we consider ourselves leaders in the waste management revolution and are constantly seeking out new and innovative ways to reduce our environmental impact. Read on for a list of our waste experts’ favorite modern methods for managing waste: 

Trash Compactors

Believe it or not, trash compactors are immensely useful in reducing the amount of space that trash and waste take up in a landfill. We recommend them highly because of their accessibility to both average households and large commercial businesses. A trash compactor’s space-saving capabilities pays for itself a hundred times over in energy costs and impact on the environment. 

Trash compactors come in a wide range of sizes, from the kind that can sit under your kitchen counter to commercial-sized for businesses that produce large amounts of waste. Investing in a trash compactor can:

• Compact garbage to take up 40% to 70% less space 
• Reduce hauling costs or landfill trips
• Decrease energy usage 
• Reduce carbon footprint

Meet Tom: Waste Compaction for Cleaner Public Spaces 

Orwak TOM is a multi-tasking, sleek waste compaction system for public areas. Although TOM is the size of a conventional waste bin, it can hold up to seven times as much trash. Overflowing public trash receptacles are a thing of the past.  Featuring hands-free operation, it keeps your environment tidy, hygienic and inviting. 

• Smart features: TOM connect communicates via text or email when the bag is full or the unit needs attention 
• Ideal for restaurants, cafés, food courts, airports, bus and train stations, theme parks and malls.
• Less bag switches means more productive use of time and space 
• Placement options: stand-alone unit or built into a wall 

Award Winning Solar-Powered Trash Compactors

Composters

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), food scraps and yard waste together currently make up more than 30 percent of what we throw away (that could be composted instead). Compost keeps these methane-producing materials out of landfills and turns them into something useful: a nutrient-rich substance that enriches the soil. 

The Gaia Food Waste Dryer

Gaia Dryers are organic and food waste reduction systems that can reduce weight and volume by as much as 90%. The food waste dryer uses heat and mechanical mixing to dehydrate the food waste, leaving a dry product with significantly less volume. 

The Gaia dryers are uniquely tolerant of packaged wastes. During the drying process, any non-organic packaging, such as plastic or foil, is broken apart. This allows the organic waste to be dried with the packaging, remaining available for recovery through a simple screening process. This results in an organic waste matter that can be used for:

• Biomass fuel
• Quality feedstock for animals with anaerobic digestion systems

SmartApproach Balers

SmartApproach balers are an excellent choice for those looking to streamline their recycling process. Not only do they offer several automated smart features, making it easier for you to track your baler’s fullness and production, they are also the safest balers on the market. When you want to combine high compaction with a small footprint, these balers are a sustainable investment. Here are some unique features: 

• Text/email conveniently sent when baler is full 
• Text/email to your recycler after a desired number of bales produced 
• Sustainability reporting – track how many bales you produce 
• Remote service/troubleshooting

There you have it – our favorite modern waste management techniques to reduce the environmental impact of trash. 

Do You Have Questions for a Modern Waste Management?

Do you still have some unanswered questions about the best way to reduce your company’s organic waste? Let’s talk. Contact our waste experts today by calling (833) 562-0665. At Bay Area Trash Compactor, our mission is to provide superior products and services. How can we help?