What Type Of Collection Vehicle Would You Recommend?

What Type Of Collection Vehicle Would You Recommend What Capacity Tru

You have been hired as a consultant for a small town with a population of 12,000 that intends to establish a municipal solid waste collection program. The community plans to implement a once-per-week waste collection schedule. The available truck capacities are 14, 16, and 20 cubic yards. The task involves recommending an appropriate type and capacity of collection vehicle suitable for this community and assessing whether once-per-week collection is feasible.

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Selecting the appropriate waste collection vehicle and frequency is critical for ensuring efficient, sustainable, and cost-effective municipal solid waste management, especially for small communities. In this context, factors such as community population, waste generation rates, collection frequency, vehicle capacity, and operational costs all influence decision-making processes.

Type of Collection Vehicle Recommended

The selection of the collection vehicle depends primarily on the size of the community, waste generation volume, operational considerations, and budget constraints. For small communities with populations around 12,000, a front-loader or side-loader collection vehicle is generally suitable, given their adaptability for curbside collection and ease of operation.

Front-loader trucks are particularly efficient for collecting waste from commercial areas or multi-family residences with standardized containers, owing to their mechanized lifting systems. Side-loader trucks, with their side-loading mechanism, are well-suited for residential neighborhoods where personal or community carts are used (Waste Management, 2020).

For this community, a standard residential collection system would typically employ a rear-loader truck, which is the most common for curbside collection of residential waste in small to medium-sized communities. Rear-loader vehicles provide flexibility, ease of operation, and are capable of collecting waste from both manual and automated carts. Given the population size and the plan for weekly collection, a rear-loader truck provides a good balance between capacity, maneuverability, and operational efficiency (Haas et al., 2019).

Recommended Vehicle Capacity

The available truck capacities are 14, 16, and 20 cubic yards. When selecting an appropriate capacity, it is essential to estimate the waste produced per household, the number of households served, and the frequency of collection.

Assuming an average household size of approximately 3 people, and an average waste generation rate of about 0.5 cubic yards per person annually (EPA, 2019), the weekly waste generation per household would be approximately 0.0096 cubic yards. For 4,000 households (assuming 3 people per household for the total population of 12,000), weekly waste generation totals roughly 38.4 cubic yards.

Thus, a vehicle capacity should comfortably handle this volume, considering some operational buffer. Therefore, a 16-yard capacity truck appears appropriate, as it provides sufficient capacity while avoiding frequent overfilling or numerous trips to the disposal site (EPA, 2021). The 20-yard trucks might offer larger capacity but could be less maneuverable in narrow streets, increasing operational costs and safety concerns. Conversely, a 14-yard truck might require multiple trips per collection cycle and may be less efficient.

Feasibility of Once-Per-Week Collection

Once-per-week collection is generally feasible for communities with lower population densities and manageable waste generation rates. According to the EPA (2019), weekly collection is suitable for communities where waste generation is relatively low, and residents are mindful of waste reduction practices.

In the case of this small town, the estimated waste volumes and population density suggest that once-per-week collection should be adequate, provided there is proper community engagement and waste diversion programs. Waste generation typically peaks during certain periods, such as holidays, but the overall load is likely manageable within a 16-yard truck capacity per week.

Furthermore, weekly collection promotes sustainability by encouraging waste reduction, reuse, and recycling behaviors among residents. It also reduces operational costs, fuel usage, and emissions associated with more frequent collection (Haas et al., 2017). However, during peak seasons or special circumstances, supplemental collection or flexible scheduling might be necessary.

Conclusion

Considering the community size, waste generation estimates, and operational considerations, a rear-loader truck with a capacity of approximately 16 cubic yards is recommended. This capacity balances efficiency, maneuverability, and cost-effectiveness while accommodating weekly waste collection needs. Weekly collection is suitable for this small town, aligning with waste management best practices for similar-sized communities.

Implementing such a system requires ongoing community education on waste reduction and recycling to ensure sustainability and operational success. Future adjustments should consider population growth, waste generation trends, and technological advances in collection vehicles to optimize waste management practices continually.

References

• EPA (Environmental Protection Agency). (2019). Solid Waste Management: A Planning Guide for Small Communities. EPA-530-R-19-006.
• EPA (Environmental Protection Agency). (2021). Municipal Solid Waste - Facts and Figures. EPA-530-R-21-001.
• Haas, R., Guarnieri, R., & La Rosa, C. (2017). Optimization of waste collection routes by considering vehicle capacity constraints. Waste Management & Research, 35(6), 607-614.
• Haas, R., et al. (2019). Improving municipal waste collection efficiency: Decision-making frameworks and technological innovations. Journal of Environmental Management, 235, 255-265.
• Waste Management. (2020). Residential Waste Collection Vehicles. Retrieved from https://www.wastemanagement.com