There are few chores that most husbands hate more than taking the trash. Even people with the best memories somehow find a way to conveniently “forget” to take it with them when they’re on their way out. That’s where a trash compactor comes into play. A trash compactor can reduce your waste volume by up to 80%, turning six bags of garbage into one—that’s five less trips to the garage! But that’s not the only advantage to a trash compactor. If you have to pay by volume at the dump, a trash compactor will also save you money and furthermore, it will save the township valuable landfill space, taking up five times less space. For these reasons and more, a trash compactor is a valuable investment. We’ve put together some of the main things you need to look for when purchasing a new trash compactor to make the experience less pressured.

The first step is to decide what type of trash compactor is best suited for your unique needs. There are three main types of trash compactors:

• Freestanding – The freestanding trash compactor doesn’t need to be installed under a counter. Instead, you can position it alongside your counter for additional workspace—some even come with cutting boards on top to use as an island. It’s an attractive option for anyone with a larger kitchen.
• Under the Counter – Under the counter trash compactors fit underneath the counter, inside a convenient cabinet such as the one under the kitchen sink. This is a great option for people that are used to keeping their garbage under the sink as well as for anyone with limited kitchen space.
• Convertible – Convertible trash compactors offer you the ultimate flexibility and can be used either as freestanding units or under a cabinet.

Power
Trash compactors are available anywhere from 2,000 to 5,000 pounds of ram force in the compacting walls. Anything above 2,300 pounds is usually more than enough for most households. There are basically two different types of compressor systems, the cork screw drive and the scissor drive, the cork screw being the more reliable of the two.
Versatility

Whirlpool Under the Counter Trash Compactor

Almost everything that is normally placed in your kitchen garbage can be placed in a trash compactor, with the exception of paint, oil, aerosol cans and other such hazardous materials. Many people prefer not to put biodegradable food scraps into their trash compactor since the trash tends to sit for an entire week at a time and food will start to smell. Instead they often use a trash compactor in conjunction with a compost bucket for natural wastes. Compost is also much better for the environment, saving valuable landfill space and creating healthy, nutrient rich soil for the garden. Alternatively, you can purchase a model with a charcoal filter to eliminate any residual smells. This very useful feature absorbs the waste odor caused by decomposing foods, allowing you to fill the compactor slowly in order to save you money on expensive trash compactor bags. It is also not recommended to put glass into a trash compactor. It’s important to ensure that the model you choose has a removable key knob control so that you don’t accidentally operate it under dangerous circumstances. Other useful features include anti-jamming technology and tilt sensors that will disengage the compactor if it is knocked over.

Size
The standard size trash compactor is 15 inches wide by 24 inches deep by either 15 or 18 inches tall, allowing it to fit under most cabinets by simply removing the bottom section. Compactors are available in large capacity sizes but the extra space is usually unnecessary and it requires a slight renovation to fit it under a standard cabinet.

Trash Bags
Trash compactor bags are fairly expensive, selling for as much as $1 per bag. However, the price can be deceiving since it is usually only necessary to use one bag per week. When choosing your unit, it’s important to inquire as to whether or not the compactor requires brand-specific garbage bags or not. If that model or brand is discontinued, it may be difficult to impossible to purchase new bags not to mention expensive, making the unit nearly obsolete. Some counties require that specific clear trash bags be used to regulate recycling laws making it impossible to use a trash compactor. Make sure you check out your area’s regulations before purchasing a compactor.

Ecology
Some people claim that trash compactors compact the trash so tightly that it can’t decompose in the dump. Others claim that it is ecologically sounder since it cuts down on plastic trash bags. Some recommend using it for recycling instead of trash. Recycling items can be reprocessed even in a compacted form.

We hope that this information will help you to make the best, most informed decision possible. Press your garbage away, with just the press of a button!

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