Time-consuming physical redundancies | presents no alternatives.

A passion to work smarter, not harder.

Feasibility Strategy – Problems, Methods, and Limitations.

Identical Task Process, just a Different Work Setting.

Residential

↙ Mechanized Trash Collection ↘

Leisure Venue

↙ Physical Trash Collection ↘

— Present-day —

Within the context of modern society, there are automated refuse collection services for residential, brush, and commercial markets. However, there is no fully automated refuse collecting equipment that can empty trash bins within leisure venues. Remarkably, it is the same type of work, just a different work setting, as viewed in the photos above. While different in context, the facts are real. You will be shocked when you learn the cost for emptying one 50-gallon trash receptacle in a public park versus residential and commercial collection.

⇓ Terminology to remember. ⇓

— Comprehensive Perspective —

Refuse collection at leisure venues and similar facilities is very expensive. Understanding the challenges, problems, and limitations of trash removal in these locations can be difficult. An extensive assessment of the work tasks provides us with a comprehensive perspective of this work dynamic. Refuse collection requires attention to safety and detail. Emptying a 50-gallon trash receptacle at a public park may not seem complex, but it is. The complexity of the task is influenced by the size and various integral features within the venue. Equally, high-use venues and facilities such as parking structures, country clubs, private communities, and remote islands also have their complexities. Fully automated refuse collection at this level does not exist. The main challenge will be how to automate such a costly method of trash collection.

Physical Stamina Required!

Statistically, leisure venues are facing a significant strain as a result of excessive use, necessitating more frequent trash collection. Unfortunately, the absence of a mechanized collection method has led to heavy reliance on manual labor for this task. Moreover, the use of equipment not specifically designed for this type of work further impedes efficiency due to redundancy of tasks. Additionally, exposure to environmental conditions significantly slows down work progression, ultimately leading to increased exhaustion among workers. From an operational perspective, the yearly budget overages continue to escalate, underscoring the need for automation.

Safety Problems

Environmental elements and task redundancies influence mental awareness and physical fatigue. Repetitive lifting, bending, and pulling of each trash receptacle may trigger a personal injury or accident. The image on the left shows an overflowing trash receptacle placed on its side. The city worker is pulling the trash out of the receptacle. At this point, the task becomes very time-consuming. With each pull, twist, or tug, it could become a muscle strain or possible something worst.

Leisure Refuse Collection Method.

At public parks and similar leisure venues, emptying 50-gallon trash receptacles is physical work. To illustrate, images to the right show a small maintenance vehicle traveling from receptacle to receptacle, loading trash bags onto the vehicle. Once full, it drives to a dumpster and unloads the vehicle. After the vehicle is empty, it drives back to the work location and continues to load more trash. This activity continues multiple times until all the trash has been collected. The vehicle’s load capacity is limited by its size, and excessive travel back and forth across the landscape creates damage.

Public Trash Receptacles.

All leisure venues provide trash receptacles for patrons’ use. These receptacles are in high-use areas such as sports fields, playgrounds, and other similar locations throughout the venue. With more patrons, larger volumes of trash, overflowing receptacles, and heavier trash loads become common. Equally, some receptacles may collect water, creating odor and attracting pests. To keep up with the demand, an increase in service frequency is required. This fact is an example of when mechanized trash collection is necessary. It reduces costs by improving process efficiency.

Progression of Task.

The time required for trash removal at recreational sites is determined by a range of factors. These factors encompass the topography of the venue, the infrastructure in place, surrounding amenities, and the placement of trash bins within the venue itself. The time needed to complete this task is influenced by variables such as task duplication, environmental conditions, availability of staff, and their physical dexterity, all of which should match the task discipline.

Vehicle Access Prohibited.

Leisure venues encompass passive surroundings with a complex infrastructure, prohibiting vehicles due to size, weight, and maneuverability. However, smaller vehicles having less load capacity are permitted.

Environmental conditions influence service efficiency.

Special Events.

Prior to the opening day of the Az. Chihuahua Festival, there were two days of continuous rain. On the first day, the weather was clear and humid, with the ground wet. Three hours after the gates opened, workers were overwhelmed by muddy working conditions and trash. Two women were observed diligently pushing a cart that was fully laden. At each trash receptacle, they persistently added more trash to the cart, gradually increasing its weight and making it more difficult to maneuver through the muddy turf. Despite this adversity, the workers managed to keep the event clean as evident in the images showing large piles of Az. Chihuahua Festival trash being moved to a trailer.

Youth Sports Activities.

Leisure venues provide open space for community activities, a place where youth sports are enjoyed by family and friends.

⇐ ⇐ ⇐

At a soccer game, spectators and teams do their best to help keep the area clean, some even try to recycle. There are six 50-gallon trash receptacles per field, with six fields, having three games per field. Images show personal trash consolidated into a pile, left behind by spectators and teams after one day of soccer games.

After the teams and spectators leave, the trash is physically removed. Full and overflowing trash receptacles require 2 staff to empty. These types of piles require 10 to 20 minutes or more to cleanup.

The above example illustrates the need for automated refuse collection.

Beach, Refuse Collection.

An early morning trash run at the beach. Two men using a 40,000-pound, 6-wheel drive side loader empty 50-gallon trash receptacles. The operator of the truck drives from receptacle to receptacle, while the second man runs beside the truck. When the truck stops, the ground man moves the container closer to the truck. The truck then lifts and empties the receptacle. When there is a lot of trash around a can, the truck operator jumps out to help clean up the mess.

Beach Parks, Refuse Collection.

Beach park trash run. The process of emptying the concrete decorative trash receptacles is proving to be quite time-consuming. The worker has to make multiple trips to the dumpster for unloading, as the small truck being used has limited load capacity. In the end, the redundancy in trash receptacle design and equipment is driving up the overall cost of the service.

— Partial Automation —

The maintenance of 50-gallon trash bins in recreational areas and other similar locations involves manual labor, regardless of specific circumstances or exceptions. Whether it is done by towing a trailer or utilizing the limited automation features found in full-size vehicles, there are significant drawbacks due to the redundant nature of the process. When considering a service vehicle for the task, factor in the maintenance and operation costs of the vehicle, the size of the vehicle, and accessibility to the site. Moreover, the constant need to enter and exit the vehicle, the time taken to empty the trash, and the unloading process. As well, the number of staff required to do the work all contribute to the overall cost of the service.

— Within the context of our modern society, there are three clearly defined methods —

— Clarity of Purpose —

This page showcases the comprehensive research conducted over several decades across different leisure facilities, in various climate conditions, and geographical locations. The findings indicate that the manual methods of trash collection in use today have seen minimal changes, even as the costs related to this task have significantly increased. Refuse collection in recreational areas and other similar facilities involves manual labor, regardless of specific circumstances or exceptions. The use of towing a trailer or employing other limited automation features available in full-size vehicles presents notable disadvantages that result in a redundant process, thereby escalating operational expenses. To fully understand this type of work, consideration should be given to vehicle maintenance and operation costs, the size, maneuverability, and accessibility of the vehicle to the site. Various types of machinery influence task performance, directly impacting cost. Moreover, the workers’ constant need to enter and exit the vehicle, the time taken to empty the trash, the unloading process, and staff required to complete the work all contribute to the overall cost of the service.

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