Compactors

Our compactors are designed for businesses that handle large and continuous amounts of waste – whether the waste is wet, dry, or mixed.

Get Control of Large Amounts of Waste with a Compactor from Bramidan

Compactors automatically compress large amounts of waste and reduce volume – for simple and efficient waste management.

Our compactors are available as both mobile and stationary solutions and can be adapted to many types of waste – such as dry, wet organic, or mixed residual waste. They are ideal for businesses with large amounts of waste – for example in production, retail, or logistics – where efficiency and space utilization are crucial.With a press plate, the compactor pushes the waste into a closed container, where it is compressed and therefore takes up significantly less space. This means fewer collections, lower transportation costs, and a more orderly workplace.Save space, time, and money – and get a more responsible waste management.

Find the Right Compactor for Your Company

Explore our compactors designed for businesses with large amounts of waste – from retail stores and warehouses to distribution centers and industrial companies.

Self-Contained Compactors

Self-contained compactors are liquid-tight units that handle both wet and dry waste. Since the compactor and container are integrated into a single unit, they are very effective for industries with high volumes of wet waste like hospitality, healthcare, and food processing. Self-contained compactors prevent leaks and odors, making them ideal for organic waste management.

Bramidan ST-2 stationary compactor with control panel and galvanised motor housing

Stationary Compactors

Stationary compactors are designed to stay in place while a detachable container is hauled away for disposal. They are ideal for managing dry, general waste, commonly used in manufacturing, distribution centers, and large retail operations. By compacting waste efficiently into a container, they significantly reduce the frequency of pickups and minimize landfill contributions.

Benefits of a compactor

Reduced waste volume: The waste is compressed directly into a closed container, making it significantly smaller.
Fewer collections: When the waste takes up less space, the container can hold more. This results in fewer emptying and lower disposal costs.
Lower transport costs: Reducing the number of collections saves both transportation expenses and resources for logistics and planning.
Suitable for large amounts of waste: Particularly relevant in industries such as manufacturing, retail, and logistics, where waste accumulates quickly.
For wet and dry waste: Our compactor models can be adapted to different types of waste – such as wet organic waste, mixed residual waste, and packaging.
Available as mobile or stationary solution: Choose the solution that fits your space, operation, and collection needs.
Reduces internal waste handling: Less need for manual lifting and fewer trips with waste to containers.

Compact Different Waste Fractions

Cardboard

Paper

Soft plastic

Hard plastic

Computer cases

PET bottles

Aluminum cans

Tin cans

EPS

Textile

Monitor and Optimize with BRA-IN

Get complete visibility into your waste management with BRA-IN – our smart IoT solution for balers and compactors.

With real-time data and automated notifications, you can make better decisions, cut operational costs, and document your sustainability efforts.

BRA-IN stands for Bramidan Intelligence and connects your equipment directly to an easy-to-use platform – letting you track fill levels, optimize pickups, and schedule maintenance – all in one seamless solution.

Combine our BRA-IN services to fit your needs

How does a waste compactor work?

A compactor is a machine that reduces waste volume by compressing it into a closed container.

An effective solution to this challenge lies in the investment of trash compactors. Let’s explore the mechanics of trash compactors, their capability to handle various waste types, their capacity, and their effectiveness in waste management.

How Does a Compactor Work?

A compactor is a motorized device designed to minimize the volume of waste by compressing it into smaller, more manageable pieces. Here’s a step-by-step rundown of how it operates:

Loading: The process begins by loading the waste into the compactor’s container.
Compression: Once activated, an electric or hydraulic-powered metal ram compresses the waste into a small, dense mass.
Collection: After compression, the waste is either collected in a container or bag for easy disposal or awaits further compacting.

The mechanism involves a metal ram moving on tracks, powered by an electric motor or a hydraulic system, compacting the waste within the compactor. Specific models like polystyrene compactors can reduce the volume of waste by up to 98%, underlining the effectiveness of this waste management solution.

Read article: When To Choose an Auger Compactor

Cardborad boxes infront of waste container

What Types of Waste Can Be Compacted?

Our compactors can handle a wide range of waste types such as:<ul><li>Cardboard and cartons</li><li>Paper: Shredded paper, paper bags, and newspapers.</li><li>Plastic: Soft and hard plastic</li><li>Other materials: Approved wood, EPS, organic, metal, and cans.</li></ul>We offer specialized compactors designed for specific types of waste, ensuring optimal compression and handling.

Man loading cardboard into compactor outdoor

How Much Waste Can a Compactor Handle?

Trash compactor capacity varies based on size and design:

Portable: Up to 1000 gallons.
Regular indoor: 25 to 55 gallons.
Large (like 40-yard): Holds 5 to 6 tons of waste.

Compactors offer different compaction ratios for handling more waste efficiently.

Flattened cardboard in 6 blue bins outdoor

Can a Compactor Reduce Waste Volume?

Yes – a compactor is an efficient tool for minimizing the volume of waste and optimizing your waste management. By compressing the waste, you achieve several benefits: <ul><li>Reduced volume: Compact waste up to 5:1 and save on the number of collections. </li><li>More space: Free up space in the rear, waste areas, and storage. </li><li>Lower costs: Fewer collections and improved logistics result in savings. </li></ul>

How to integrate a compactor into your operation

Compactors are an important part of waste management for many businesses – but to fully benefit, installation, access conditions, and integration must be in place.

Compactors are an important part of waste management for medium-sized and large companies. However, to fully benefit, it requires that you have control over installation conditions, integration, and access conditions.

Installation space – what does it require?

Solid foundation: Compactors must be placed on a solid foundation that can bear the weight and ensure stable operation.
Space requirements: Depending on the model, the installation typically requires an area of 3-5 meters in width and 7-14 meters in length.
Headroom: Typically 7-8 meters in height if the compactor is placed under a canopy or inside a building.

Easy integration into existing systems

Compatible with other solutions: Compactors can be combined with balers, containers, and other systems and adapted to your existing logistics and location.
Ready for automation: BRA-IN makes it possible to schedule pick-ups based on fill level – instead of fixed time intervals.
Handling multiple types of waste: A compactor can be used for wet, dry, bulky, and mixed waste – all in one solution.

Site Preparation

Electrical access: The proximity to the power supply affects installation costs.
Access for haulier: The space must be free of overhead obstacles, and there must be room for the hauliers to maneuver safely in and out of the area.

Compactor or baler – what should you choose?

Both balers and compactors are effective tools for compressing waste, but they are suitable for different types of waste and workflows. Below you can see the main differences:

Baler

Presses cardboard, plastic, and paper into compact bales
Suitable for sorted, dry waste with high resale value
Provides better sorting and possibility for resale
Takes up minimal space and frees up storage
Requires manual operation and binding of bales in vertical models

Industries That Use Compactors

Compactors are an efficient solution for many industries that handle large amounts of waste on a daily basis.

Compactors are widely used across a range of industries, each benefiting from their versatile applications.

Manufacturing companies efficiently reduce bulk industrial waste and enchance waste handling processes
Retailers utilize compactors to minimize landfill waste by compacting packaging materials for sustainable disposal.
Hospitality & healthcare industries rely on compactors for safe management of mixed waste, including food scraps and medical waste.
Distribution centers optimizes space by compacting shipping materials, ensuring streamlined operations.

Most Common Questions & Answers

Can I perform maintenance on the compactor myself?

No, any maintenance and service should be done by a professional service technician.

Does a compactor require a lot of service?

No, it does’nt. Our compactors are designed for durability.

The machines only require an annual safety check as prescribed by law. During the service check, the service technician will ensure that your equipment lives up to the rules regarding safety and functionality.

We provide a professional service setup designed to meet the needs of our customers, including flexible service contracts. With a service contract from Bramidan, you always have an up-to-date machine with the latest technology and user friendliness.

I handle waste that contains a lot of residual liquids – can I use a compactor for that?

There are special screw compactors for handling waste that contains a lot of liquids or waste that is very wet.

These compactors combine powerful draining with high compaction. They can be used to separate solid waste material from liquids or to remove residual liquids from waste products. The system effectively drains out free-flowing contents from beverage containers such as plastic cups, Tetra Pak packaging, cans, or PET bottles, or drains sewage sludge and industrial waste.

The drained-out liquid is discharged via a drainage pipe and can be collected in a trough or led further into the drainage system. Drained material is easier to process or recycle and the drained solid waste material can be energetically utilized in incinerator plants. Furthermore, the reduction in weight as a result of draining enables considerable cost savings in waste disposals.

What kind of preparations do I need to do before installing my Self-Contained Compactor?

Installing a Self-Contained Compactor requires no structural or site adaptions before installation and there are minimal requirements for the foundation. All it takes before use are the necessary electrical connections. Just plug it in and it is ready for use.

Can I install my compactor outside?

Yes, you can install your compactor outside. Our compactors are designed to withstand any kind of weather. Their robust fully welded steel construction prevents formation of rust. Furthermore, they are treated with a high quality and durable paint to prevent flakey paint and rust. All mechanical and electrical parts are protected from wear and tear inside the machine.

What type of waste material can I put in a compactor?

That depends on the compactor. As a rule of thumb, you can use a compactor to compact all soft materials. Examples of soft materials include cardboard, shredded paper, news paper, paper bags, soft dry plastic, and PET bottles.

There are also compactors for wet waste, polystyrene, EPS, and wood.

We always recommend that you consult with us if you wish to use your compactor for any other materials than the listed and recommended materials.