What is a Static Compactor?

What is a Static Compactor?

A Static compactor is a machine used on-site for compacting / reducing  waste volumes into an attached waste container. The compactor unit is bolted to the floor and does not leave site at any stage.

The attached waste containers are referred to in the trade as a “roll on off” containers – due to the action of loading / unloading with the vehicle.

The waste/materials are fed into the compactor hopper, either by hand / chute / grab / pneumatically or with an associated bin lift system (compatible with standard 1100 Litre wheelie bins).

The construction of these units are very industrial, as Internally within the body of the machine are fitted either a large/powerful single or cross over double hydraulic rams, that push the waste that is loaded into the attached container with a compaction force of up to 34 tonnes, hence they need to be heavy duty.

Once the repeated loading/compaction cycles of the waste have been completed – and the attached container is full, the machine will tell you when 75% and 100% full to enable you to contact the waste contractor to empty /exchange the attached bin – typically the minimum compaction ratio on general waste is circa 4:1 and can (dependant on material being fed) – achieve up to 10:1 compaction ratio.

Benefits of a static compactor

Each time a skip / waste container is exchanged / emptied, there will be a transport cost – so a compactor unit on site will significantly reduce the transport costs.

If you are currently using “open” type roll on off skips, then you will be paying in the region of £150-175 transport cost only each time these are emptied.

So, if you achieve say a minimum 4:1 compaction ratio, then you would reduce the costs by circa £450-£525 against the same number of uplifts / exchanges. So potentially some big savings can be made on your waste.

There will be further savings from reduced administration costs / booking in vehicles, plus further benefits being:-

• Reduced Site Traffic
• Less scatter of waste on site
• Reduced fire risk (as waste is contained within the attached waste container/bin) – reduced insurance premium
• Increased productivity – as less double handling of waste & reduced site movements of waste (Waste audit needed to quantify potential labour savings)  
• More efficient system to improve your companies carbon footprint.
• Far better system for larger waste producers

Why have a static compactor instead of a portable compactor

• Static Compactors are more customisable
• Have bigger loading apertures to handle bulky materials
• Portable compactors are taken from site each time they need emptying (Tip & Return) – thus far there will always be a downtime period between exchanges that waste needs to be stored in between scheduling / emptying. Also transport costs can be higher due to time taken to tip and return – not exchange with an empty bin.
• Portable compactors can be prone to damage by the nominated waste contractor when off site, which invariably causes conflict in this event.