USCOG Invites Local Officials to View Trash Compaction Service Demonstration

Officials learned about a trash compaction service that can potentially save counties thousands of dollars and also viewed a demonstration of the company’s 6,000-pound roller “eating couches” at a local solid waste convenience center.

Upper Savannah COG invited MarshCat Mobile Compaction Service to make a presentation and demonstration to city and county administrators and public works officials during a Tuesday lunch meeting.

The veteran-owned and operated company uses a specialized truck equipped with a 6,000-pound roller with spikes to crush the contents of an overflowing open top trash dumpster commonly used at a recycle “convenience” center down to 30 percent or lower capacity.

The operator stays inside the cab of the truck which he parks with the rear facing the end of the dumpster. Using a joystick, the operator moves the roller into and around the dumpster, aided by cameras that give him a 360-degree view. It takes approximately five to 10 minutes to compact trash in each dumpster.

The compaction can potentially save counties thousands of dollars by reducing the number of trash hauls to landfills by 50-70 percent, reducing the number of hours for drivers, and slicing diesel fuel costs.

It also eliminates the occasional need to shut down a convenience center before official closing time due to overflows of yard debris, furniture, etc.

Additionally, it also reduces the need for backhoes and tractors that often suffer irreparable damage during compaction while also reducing the potential for damage to dumpsters.

This service could be provided on-site at a convenience center when needed most, possibly on Saturdays and Mondays during and after peak collection times.

MarshCat Compaction Owner Brian Elender who made the presentation said Dorchester County, S.C., saved approximately $650,000 in a year by using their services.

“It can take a dumpster with an overflowing load that your driver can’t even legally haul down the road (to the landfill) down to 30 percent capacity,” Elender said.

The service is environmentally friendly and greatly reduces trash in landfills, he said.

Six officials attended the presentation while a few traveled to a convenience center on Deadfall Road West in Greenwood County to watch a demonstration.

One dumpster used in the demonstration was overfilled and included two couches on top. The roller easily crushed the couches and all other items leaving the box only around 20-30 percent full (before and after pictures below). Click here for video.

MarshCat currently operates in the Charleston, Savannah and Columbia areas and is looking to grow into other parts of the state including the Upper Savannah region.