Is it worth having a trash compactor?

Whether or not it’s worth investing in a trash compactor for your home is a valid question that deserves careful consideration. A trash compactor can provide certain benefits like reducing the volume of your garbage, minimizing trash runs, and potentially saving on waste removal costs. However, compactors also have some downsides to weigh like the initial purchase price, maintenance requirements, and possible limitations on what can be compacted. Looking at the key pros and cons can help determine if a trash compactor is a smart purchase for your household.

What is a Trash Compactor?

A trash compactor is an appliance that reduces the volume of your garbage by crushing and compacting it using hydraulic pressure. Standard residential compactors reduce trash volume by a 4:1 ratio on average. So if you start with 20 gallons of loose trash, a compactor can compress it down to around 5 gallons. This allows more trash to fit inside your compactor’s internal bin before requiring emptying. Compactors are metal bins, typically around 1 cubic yard in size, that contain a piston powered by an electric motor. When the piston applies thousands of pounds of pressure across the width of the bin, it compresses the contents downwards. Most residential compactors are built-in style, though some smaller freestanding models exist. They are permanently installed, often fitting under a countertop or in between cabinetry.

Key Benefits of Trash Compactors

Here are some of the main advantages that trash compactors can provide households:

– Reduced volume of garbage – Compactors reduce trash volume by 75-80% on average. This means less frequent emptying or removal required.

– Less frequent trash runs – Because compacted trash takes up less bin space, you won’t have to take garbage to the curb or haul it to a dumpster as often.

– Odor control – Compacted trash emits less odor than loose garbage in an open bin. The compactor’s sealed design helps contain smells.

– More space efficient – Compacted garbage takes up much less space in your kitchen or garage. No bulky garbage cans needed.

– Possible waste removal savings – If your municipality charges by container size or pickup frequency, reducing volume could lower costs. Or if you haul trash yourself, fewer dumps needed.

– Cleanliness – Keeping trash enclosed in a compactor means less mess, smells, and pests compared to traditional garbage cans.

Potential Drawbacks of Compactors

Here are some of the key downsides associated with trash compactors:

– High upfront cost – While models vary, most residential trash compactors cost $200 – $2000. This initial investment may take years to pay back in waste savings.

– Ongoing electricity costs – Compactors require electricity to power the motor and hydraulic piston. This can add $50+ per year to electric bills depending on usage frequency.

– Limitations on materials – Compactors are designed for standard household dry waste. Many don’t handle large, rigid, or wet items well.

– Special bags required – Compacted trash needs puncture-proof bags rated for compactor use. These bags cost more than regular trash bags.

– Potential repair costs – If compactor breaks down, repairs by a technician can be expensive depending on part/labor needed.

– Permanent installation – As built-in appliances, compactors are not portable. If you move, it will stay.

– Noise and vibration – Compactors make loud noise when compacting and vibrate kitchen counters. This could be disruptive in some households.

Average Garbage Volume Produced

Household trash output can vary substantially based on the number of occupants, buying habits, recycling diligence, and other factors. However, below are some typical averages for the amount of garbage produced on a weekly basis:

Household Size	Weekly Trash (Gallons)
1 person	10-20
2 people	15-25
3 people	20-30
4 people	25-35
5+ people	30-50

These volumes can be reduced through compaction by 75-80% on average. So a three person household producing around 25 gallons per week could expect to reduce their trash volume to 5-6 gallons with a compactor.

This reduction in space needed would mean less frequent trips out to haul trash to the curb or dumpster. For example, if trash is picked up every two weeks, a 25 gallon output would fill up a standard 50 gallon bin each time. But compacting to 6 gallons would allow 4-5 weeks of trash to accumulate before emptying.

Cost of Trash Compactors

Price is often the first consideration when deciding whether a home appliance purchase makes financial sense. Trash compactors range widely in upfront cost:

Compactor Type	Average Cost
Manual compactors	$200 – $800
Small electric compactors	$500 – $1,000
Built-in electric compactors	$800 – $2,000
Commercial compactors	$2,000 – $5,000

Manual compactors are the most affordable option but require physical effort to operate the press mechanism. Small electric compactors with a motor start around $500 but have a lower compression ratio. Built-in compactors provide the best performance but have the highest upfront cost, averaging between $800-$2000.

The investment may pay off over 5-10 years for households with high waste volumes. But for low trash output, the savings may not offset the initial purchase price. Upgrading from manual to electric could run $500-$1500 depending on the model. This cost would take 1-2 years to recoup through waste savings.

Installation is another cost factor. Having a built-in compactor professionally installed could add a few hundred dollars in labor fees. Additionally, any required electrical or cabinetry upgrades would increase costs.

Electricity Costs of Compactors

While manually-operated compactors require no electricity, motorized models do consume power. The piston hydraulic system needs electricity to compress the trash. How much your electric bill will increase depends on:

– Size of compactor – Larger compactors use more wattage than smaller models.

– Usage frequency – More regular compaction cycles mean more electricity used over time.

– Local electric rates – Energy costs per kilowatt hour vary across regions.

For example, a medium capacity compactor running on a 1100 watt motor would use around 1.1 kilowatt hours per complete compaction cycle. If used twice per week on average, that would add up to 114 kWh over the course of a year. At a rate of $0.12 per kWh, the compactor would increase yearly energy costs by around $14 annually. Larger capacity commercial compactors can use upwards of 5-10 kWh per use, costing significantly more to operate.

While not a deal breaker, the electrical costs can chip away at potential trash savings. Any financial analysis of a compactor purchase should factor in long-term electricity use. Energy efficiency should also be considered when choosing a particular model.

Limitations on Compacted Materials

While great for compressing standard household dry waste like food scraps, paper, plastics, and packaging, compactors do have some limitations:

– **Large rigid items** – Items like wood boards or large plastic containers may get wedged in the compactor opening. Trash needs to compress from the top down.

– **Wet waste** – Compaction works through friction, so moisture can cause waste materials to resist compression and lead to jamming.

– **Hazardous materials** – Toxic, flammable, or reactive wastes can present dangers when compressed.

– **Glass items** – Bottles and jars may shatter under pressure instead of flattening out smoothly.

– **Electronics** – Rigid e-waste mixed in can also jam the compacting mechanism.

To avoid issues, it’s recommended to dispose of any problematic trash types separately rather than trying to compact them. Compactors work best for easily crushed dry household garbage and recycling like plastics, cans, paper, cardboard and food waste.

Special Bags Required

Standard plastic trash bags are not built to withstand the extreme pressures inside a compactor. When compacted, the contents are pressurized up to 2000 psi. This can easily rupture flimsy bags not specifically made for compactors.

Using appropriate compactor bags is important for:

– Avoiding mess – Broken bags lead to loose waste spilling out into the internal compactor bin or drawer. This causes odor, stains, and irritation when cleaning.

– Ease of removal – An intact bag keeps compressed trash contained so you can lift out cleanly.

– Landfill acceptance – Many waste disposal sites will reject ruptured or leaking bags, leaving you to deal with the loose waste.

Compactor bags are made from tough puncture and tear resistant plastics like high density polyethylene (HDPE). Popular name brand bags include OnePiece, Ample Disposal, OneXtreme, and SuperCapacto. Look for thickness ratings of 3-5 mils for best durability. While more expensive than normal trash bags, compactor bags are essential for keeping compacted waste neatly contained.

Potential Repair Costs

Like any household appliance, compactors can require repairs or service on occasion. Common issues include:

– Ram/piston jams
– Hydraulic fluid leaks
– Motor malfunctions
– Broken compression plate
– Control panel failures

Repair costs will depend on:

– Part prices – Replacing expensive components like the motor or piston assembly can run $200-$500. Simple control panel fixes may only be $100.

– Labor rates & time – Expect a minimum 1 hour service call fee even for quick repairs. Complex jobs could take 2-3 hours at $50-$100 per hour.

– Service provider – An independent repairman will usually cost less than the manufacturer’s factory technicians.

– Warranty coverage – Repairs may be fully or partially covered if still under warranty.

While a used compactor can be fixed for $200-$300 in some cases, certain extensive repairs can exceed $500. The potential for these maintenance costs should be factored into any cost benefit analysis before purchasing a compactor. Properly maintained models may only need minor servicing over a 10-15 year lifespan. But neglected machines can become money pits.

Consider Compactor Rental

One alternative to buying a compactor is renting one when needed. Many trash and recycling companies offer compactor rental services for temporary use. Prices often range from $50 – $150 per month depending on capacity. This allows you to enjoy the trash volume reduction benefits without the permanent installation or upfront investment. It also avoids any repair risks.

Compactor rentals can be useful:

– When preparing a home for sale – Reduce junk buildup when emptying out the property.

– During one-time cleanouts or renovations – Compress large volumes of waste like drywall or wood.

– When hosting large gatherings – Help handle increased trash from events or holidays.

– As a trial before buying – Test if a compactor fits your household’s needs before fully committing.

Drawbacks to renting include having to schedule delivery and pickup. And rental terms tend to be a minimum 1-2 months, so not ideal for quick one-off use. But for the right temporary situations, a rented compactor can be a cost effective alternative to buying.

Consider Trash Can Compression Bags

Another option to reduce the volume of household garbage without a compactor is to use compressing trash bags. These bags contain an inner liner that allows you to compress contents by pushing air out through a valve. This lets you manually compact trash without electricity or hydraulics.

Popular brands like Trash Krusher can reduce garbage volume by over 75% like an electric compactor. The bags range from $20 – $50 depending on size, but are reusable over 50-100 cycles. Downsides can include higher upfront effort required to compress by hand, and weight limits around 40 pounds. But for light household waste, compression bags are a simple and low cost alternative to consider.

Who Benefits Most From Compactors

Certain households stand to benefit the most from installing a trash compactor:

User Type	Key Benefits
Large families 5+ people	– Handle greater waste volume – Less frequent bin emptying
Limited storage space	– Compact trash takes up less room
Long trips to dump waste	– Reduce dump runs to landfills or transfer stations
Pay per trash pickup	– Reduce number of bins required – Need fewer pickups
Frequent entertaining	– Compress large party garbage

Compactors make less financial sense for:

– Low waste output – 1-2 person households

– Those with cheap regular waste service

– Short drives to drop off trash

– Limited kitchen space

The most value comes from compacting large volumes of trash that would otherwise fill bins quickly and require frequent hauling. For minimal waste, the investment rarely pays off quickly enough.

Final Considerations

Here are some final tips when deciding about a home trash compactor:

– Review all options – In addition to compactors, solutions like compression bags, more recycling, or splitting shared dumpsters with neighbors can also reduce waste.

– Compare installation costs – Consider if you can install yourself or need to pay fees for professional installation. Factor this into the total cost.

– Think about noise/vibrations – Make sure a built-in unit will work in your kitchen space without disruptions while running.

– Understand your waste stream – Realistically assess how much trash your household produces to size and select the right compactor model.

– Confirm local landfill compaction – Call your waste company to verify they accept and can handle compacted residential garbage.

– Consider used/refurbished – Buying a professionally inspected used compactor can offer major savings on upfront costs.

With the right expectations about costs, benefits, and usage, a trash compactor can be a smart investment for some households. Taking the time to carefully evaluate your situation will determine if purchasing a compactor makes sense or if simple upgrades like higher capacity bins are sufficient for your needs.

Conclusion

The decision ultimately comes down to your household’s specific trash profile and needs. For high volume producers facing limited storage space or costly waste pickup fees, a compactor can provide enough savings and convenience to justify the significant upfront investment. But more modest waste output may not offset the high purchase price over time.

Crunching the numbers on expected compaction ratios, hauling/removal savings, and repair risks helps determine if you’ll recoup costs within a reasonable timeframe. Compactors make the most economic sense for large families or during renovations/cleanouts. While the trash compression benefits are clear, compactors remain fairly niche appliances due to their steep price tag. But if reducing your garbage volume by 75% or more would provide enough value, then purchasing a compactor could be well worth considering.