In order to stay compliant with shipping requirements, Wrangell Public Works began using a trash baler last October. The machine also could save money for the borough.
Because open-top trash containers with lose garbage are being phased out by Alaska Marine Lines due to fire risk, Public Works needed a compactor/baler to compress Wrangell’s garbage for loading into closed containers for the barge ride out of town.
The baler, which was purchased in late spring of 2021 for $347,600, condenses trash into a smaller volume, a 50-cubic-foot, tied-up bundle, which means more trash can fit into the 40-foot-long shipping containers. The borough pays a minimum charge of $1,764 per container for up to 28 tons of refuse.
“Prior to baler use, we were averaging about 24 tons for shipped-out containers,” said Tom Wetor, director of Public Works. Which meant the borough was paying for shipping a container that could hold up to 28 tons, but only getting 24 tons of garbage out of town.
Wetor estimated the borough was “losing” about $13,000 a year by paying for underweight containers. The bailer should save that by stuffing more trash into the same size of containers.
“If the baler (lasts) 25 years, not including maintenance or additional expenses, we would have $325,723,” Wetor said.
The baler will help the transfer station crew to maximize the weight of each container as they become efficient with it. However, Wetor said, cost increases from AML and Republic Services (the company that takes Wrangell’s trash to a landfill in Eastern Washington) could offset savings from using the baler.
Depending on the time of year and amount of garbage received at the transfer station, between three and seven bales can be created per day. Each bale can weigh up to 2,500 pounds, and about 27 bales fit into a shipping container.
The machine would also be useful if the borough ever decides to start a recycling program, since the transfer station would have a system for compacting and baling recyclables.
Though there are many advantages to using the baler, there are some drawbacks as well, such as maintenance expenses for the equipment. However, since the baler is similar to those used in other Southeast communities, costs for technicians could be lower and finding necessary spare parts would be easier.
“Our facility was never really designed for this equipment,” Wetor said. “For instance, we have been using a portable ramp for loading bales into containers versus having a loading dock built into the facility. With an added process and with the limitations of the facility, it has been challenging for staff to keep up with.”
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