Industrial trash compactors reduce the amount of space your garbage consumes, which can significantly reduce the cost of disposing the waste. If you use a waste management company, you can reduce the number of necessary trash pick-ups by compacting your own garbage before placing it in the receptacle. If your company delivers its own trash to the landfill, compacting the waste saves you money by reducing the volume of the garbage.

Industrial compactors are available for nearly every industry. Some trash compactors can be used for typical garbage and you don't need to separate the types of materials prior to compaction. Other compactors are designed for uses as specific as crushing aerosol cans. When purchasing an industrial trash compactor, consider the following:

1. Choose a compactor that fits the work space. Adding a trash compactor shouldn't make your employees' job harder.

2. Purchase a compactor that's designed for your application. Small compactors can generally be used for common waste, while midsized and heavy-duty compactors are typically designed to compact specific materials.

3. Search for compactors that are energy efficient.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Purchase industrial compactors for the service industry

Whether you're operating a restaurant, hospital or cruise line, compacting your garbage allows you to store more and pay less to dispose of it. You need a sleek compactor that doesn't unnecessarily take space away from your other appliances and employee work space. Aesthetics are important in the service industry and your industrial trash compactor should reflect that.

I recommend: Find stainless steel space-saving industrial trash compactors at Fountain Industries. The company's Eco-Pack 1800 plugs into a standard outlet and alerts you when its contents need to be emptied. Brask Enterprises has small industrial compactors for sale, but also offers a rental program, so you don't worry about maintenance and repairs.

Find mid-sized industrial compactors

Falling between a space-saving compactor and a heavy-duty compactor, midsized industrial compactors are ideal for mills, repair shops and factories. In-drum compactors reduce storage drums to a neat, compact pancake. Compacting scrap metal clears work space and reduces hazards.

I recommend: The Drum Crusher In-Drum Compactor by Benko Products uses 60,000 lb. of force to compact storage drums into 4-inch pancakes. A remote operator station is an option available for the compactor. Harmony Enterprises offers a midsized outdoor compactor with a liquid-tight design, allowing wet trash to be cleanly compacted with dry trash.

Purchase heavy-duty compactors

Construction sites typically result in bulky, oversize materials that need to be compacted prior to disposal. When the construction site is near homes and businesses, it's important to purchase an industrial compactor that produces minimal noise and dust. To keep costs low, search for heavy-duty compactors that are energy efficient.

I recommend: Komar Industries offers a heavy-duty compactor that uses an auger to pre-crush and compact bulky materials and light industrial waste. The heavy-duty compression auger spins at a low enough speed to reduce noise without sacrificing efficiency. Find a heavy-duty stationary compactor at Marathon Equipment Company. The RJ-550 model is ideal for commercial and industrial sites that produce a large volume of solid waste.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Consider safety features when purchasing an industrial trash compactor. Look for a locking mechanism that prevents the compactor from operating when the door is open and anti-jamming features.