German Waste Compaction System Arrives in U.S.

31 January 2012

Waste Management (WM) has launched a U.S. pilot program that will introduce Rotopress waste collection trailers for the first time in North America.

The Rotopress compaction system, manufactured by German refuse collection vehicle manufacturer, Faun, has been in operation across Europe for more than eight decades. The system consists of a fixed compacting screw system in the rear section and a spiral screw conveyor inside the drum.  The entire load is continuously mixed and compacted during collection.

According to WM it will roll out the pilot program starting in its home city of Houston, Texas, followed by projects in San Diego, Sacramento, Milwauke and Camden, New Jersey.

The company said that it anticipates the program to provide  greater operational flexibility and reduce trips, fuel use, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and improved maintenance costs.

WM also claimed that the modular Rotopress technology, combined with a decoupled tractor-trailer configuration using natural gas as its fuel source, provides a number of operational and environmental benefits to meet the challenges of a diversifying waste stream, reduces capital costs, reduces exposure to rising fuel prices and reduces vehicle emissions.

According Waste Management the advantages of the Rotopress system are:

• Greater Payload: Rotopress is significantly lighter than most compaction-plate vehicles and allows the vehicle to carry up to 14 tons (12.7 tonnes) - up to four more than a conventional waste collection vehicle.
• Decoupled Chassis: The decoupled tractor-trailer configuration allows for better management of assets as chassis and body can be replaced separately on a more effective schedule.  In addition, these assets are decoupled, which allows for future, fuel-saving class 6 tractor operations, which will operate on natural gas.
• Ease of operation:  Compared with a rigid vehicle, a semi-truck trailer has a 40% smaller turning radius making it more manoeuvrable, which is desirable in residential areas.   
• Improved maintenance costs:  The corkscrew design of continuously moving waste to the front of the body will help prevent the rear axles from being overloaded while keeping sufficient weight on the front axle at all times.
• No odour or leakage: The Rotopress does not directly press any additional liquid out of the waste, but binds it by permanently mixing it with the dry material. This operation reduces the amount of free liquid in the system, lowering damage to the body that can be caused by corrosion and additionally reducing leakage and odours considerably.
• Driver comfort and ease: The entire Rotopress drum is soundproofed and the continuous movement of the waste eliminates noise peaks during loading. This combined with the use of natural gas engines will greatly reduce noise levels.