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110 Waste Management Practices: Municipal, Hazardous, and Industrial
TABLE 5.1 (continued)
Advantages
• Collection days need not be scheduled
• Waste containers are not usually visible from the street
• Residents are not involved with container setout or movement
• This method requires fewer crew members than setout/ setback method
Disadvantages
• Because crew enters private property, more injuries, and tresspassing complaints are likely
• This approach is more time-consuming than curb-side and alley or setback method
• Spills may occur where waste is transferred

Drop-Off at Specified Collection Point
Residents transport waste to a specified point. This point may be a transfer station or the disposal site
Advantages
• Drop-off is the least expensive of methods
• Offers reasonable strategy for low population densities
• This method involves low staffing requirements
Disadvantages
• Residents are inconvenienced
• There is increased risk of injury to residents
• If drop-off site is unstaffed, illegal dumping may occur
Source: American Public Works Association, Solid Waste Collection Practice, 4th ed., Chicago, IL, 1975. (Reproduced with
kind permission of the American Public Works Association.)

5.3.6 COLLECTION EQUIPMENT
A wide range of collection vehicles are available to a municipality. Collection equipment is contin-
ually being redesigned to meet changing needs and to incorporate advances in technology. Trends
in the collection vehicle industry include the increased use of computer-aided equipment, mechan-
ical lifting devices, and electronic controls. Some trucks are equipped with onboard computers for
monitoring truck performance and collection operations.
Collection vehicles used for MSW transport in various countries include (Kiely, 1997):

• Traditional compacter-type trucks taking loose and bagged waste
• Modern single-compartment trucks taking wheeled bins from single-unit dwellings
• Single-compartment trucks taking wheeled bins from multi-unit apartment buildings and
commercial establishments
• Multi-compartment trucks that remove source-separated waste
• Trucks taking container loads, either closed- or open-topped
• Vacuum trucks, used in areas with limited accessibility, with tube lengths up to 100 m
• Traditional open-top trucks, commonly used in low-income countries

Truck chassis and bodies are usually purchased separately and can be combined in a variety of
arrangements. When selecting truck chassis and bodies, municipalities must consider regulations
regarding truck size and weight. Truck selection must address maximizing the amount of wastes
that can be collected while remaining within legal weights for the vehicle.
Compactor trucks are by far the most prevalent waste collection vehicles in use (Figure 5.2).
Compactor vehicles are equipped with hydraulically powered rams that compact wastes and later
push the wastes out of the truck at the disposal or transfer facility. Compactor trucks are classified
3
3
as front-, side-, or rear-loading with capacities varying from 7.5 to 35 m (10 to 45 yd ).