Proper selection of organics carts can limit liability and increase customer satisfaction.
By Pedrito Gella
From apple peels to pizza crusts, food waste is piling up from kitchen to curbside, and with tighter waste diversion regulations, this results in more and more haulers employing organics waste collection. However, improper cart selection can make a huge difference in the organics waste stream cycle. By making a simple checklist of fundamental organics cart features during the purchasing process, it can have a positive effect on business by reducing the possibility of liability and the associated costs, while increasing customer satisfaction. With this in mind, it is beneficial for haulers to have a solid understanding of cart strengths and weaknesses when selecting the right cart for their specific needs and applications.
Potential Organics Pitfalls
The collection and maneuvering of heavy food scrap waste can present a whole host of problems for those who do not have the right carts. The major concerns for haulers are overloading, which can result in cart damage or injuries to workers or homeowners, odor control issues from weak cart material, contamination issues from leakage due to cart designs that are not suitable for organics, and inefficiencies resulting from the need to clean up any resulting messes. There are also possible fines, penalties and liabilities resulting from these issues.
A Hauler’s Perspective
“Having the right carts is critical for us,” said Jeff Whitbeck, co-owner of Salt Lake City, Utah-based Momentum Recycling. Whitbeck’s concerns about overloading, leaking and durability for organics waste collection echo those of many haulers across the country: “When you don’t have the right carts and they are overfilled, there can be all types of problems. Overloading takes away time from the waste collection cycle as drivers have to get out of the truck and transfer overflow into other carts to prevent organics from spilling during the tip process. It also puts the carts at risk if there is too much weight and the weight isn’t distributed evenly. Spills, leaks and cracked carts are not something your clients want the general public to see at their location. There are also significant concerns about organics pouring into stormwater drainage systems.”
Whitbeck has solved this problem by changing his choice of carts. “We used to have injection molded carts, which proved inadequate due to the brittle nature of the carts—especially, when temperatures dip below freezing. Rotationally molded carts are more pliable and that elasticity helps prevent cracks from forming in the carts.”
Tips for Choosing the Right Organics Cart
Based on input from haulers like Momentum Recycling, haulers should take the following factors into consideration when choosing an organics cart.
Material
Common organics waste collection issues are typically related to the quality of the materials from the manufacturing process. If haulers are carrying heavy organic waste, they need to have a pliable material, otherwise the carts can be quite brittle and they can get crushed easily or crack on semi-automated cart lifters. Cracking is common with injection carts, while rotationally molded carts are flexible and much more impact resistant. The rotational molding process uses medium density polyethylene material, which is more durable and lasts longer. With the right material, haulers can have a more cost-effective solution with a longer lasting product that maximizes customer satisfaction.
Durability and Quality
Find highly durable carts that last longer and need fewer repairs, which decreases total costs and enhances customer satisfaction. When haulers are looking at the lifecycle of their purchase and maximization of value, the quality of the manufacturing process is important. Rotationally molded cart bodies, for instance, add value because they have a significantly longer life expectancy than injection molded cart bodies. Injection molded cart manufacturers claim a 10-year service life, while rotationally molded carts claim a 15- to 20+-year life span.
Rotationally molded carts also have 1/3 the failure rate that injection molded carts do. Extending the life of carts can be accomplished by not only buying the correct product during the initial purchase, but also ensuring that any equipment being used with the carts, such as lifters and arms, are maintained within manufacturer specifications.
Load Rating
It is important to select specially designed carts that make collecting, transporting and storing heavy, wet organic waste safe and easy. Checking the load rating is key, since rolling and hoisting heavy carts can pose the risk of injury to workers. When workers are lifting and maneuvering carts that are too heavy and do not meet the load rating requirements, it can result in overexertion, injury and worker’s compensation claims. Associated claims from customers could also arise from similar safety hazards of transporting too much weight. To ensure that each cart can handle the weight that is required for organics waste streams, look for carts with a higher strength-to-weight ratio for improved safety and maneuverability.
Organic material increases wear and tear on carts primarily due to weight concerns. Rotationally molded carts offer superior reliability and performance versus the standard injection molded carts marketed as organics carts (they only meet the standard ANSI load rating for garbage and recyclables). Look for organics-specific cart models that provide load ratings that exceed ANSI minimums (up to 300 lbs.); withstanding 6.25 lbs. per gallon versus the traditional standard 3.5 lbs. per gallon. By selecting a durable cart with an excellent load rating, haulers will ensure customer satisfaction by providing customers with carts that are safe for organics waste collection and up for the task at hand.
Design
The design of the organics cart is another feature that, if overlooked, could potentially cause liability concerns and fines. An example of inefficient design is a cart with holes drilled into it to accommodate a stop bar or axles, which would result in significant leakage. As more cities are concerned over runoff into the sewer, it is essential to select the right cart to reduce liability and fines from leakage and contamination.
Find an organics cart with a smart design that features a molded-in, sealed stop bar, preventing leakage to avoid contamination concerns. Haulers want to make sure that the stop bars are strong so the organics material does not ooze out and pollute the environment. Wheels are also critical design features, but be sure to “test-drive” the cart first to see how it maneuvers. This will tell you how much force is needed to tip roll the cart and how stable it is when loaded. With the right design, haulers will improve customer satisfaction while avoiding liability and the associated costs.
Do Your Homework
Haulers face many choices when it comes to their carts, but organics carts require a more specialized set of considerations. The purchasing process can be daunting, but smart haulers will do their homework first to create a simple checklist of needed features and options. Manufacturers and other haulers alike suggest a careful examination of load rating, material, durability/quality and design in making this selection. To learn more about the impact of cart choice, haulers can contact their local manufacturer’s regional sales manager for pricing and options. Having the right cart in place can save time and money, improve safety and enhance customer loyalty and satisfaction—the ultimate win-win.
Pedrito Gella is the Regional Sales Manager and Team Leader for Toter, a brand of Wastequip (Charlotte, NC). During his 10 years of experience, Pedrito has worked as a Territory Manager for Waste Management, Recycling Specialist for Waste Management and most previously, as the Major Accounts Representative for Waste Management, focusing on developing organics diversion programs for major organizations. He can be reached at [email protected]. For more information, visit www.toter.com/request-information.