Technology
What is “structural foam molding”?
Structural foam molding is a process used for making extremely strong, rigid and light-weight plastic parts and products that have a hard outer “skin” or shell and a hard “foamed” core.
The structural foam process is an extension of the standard injection molding process. An inert gas (e.g. nitrogen) is mixed with the plastic material and then injected into the mold under high pressure. When the mold is filled the gas acts to expand the material, forming a product with a solid skin on the outside and a “honeycomb”-type cellular structure on the inside – much like the panels used in ultra high-tech aircraft wings and fighter jet structures.
How do the EcoBin’s ball castors compare to traditional castors?
“Castors,” as we all know them – a plastic or metal wheel attached at an angle to a metal rod – are everywhere. In the world of waste containers, if you need to move it you need a castor. Unfortunately, traditional castors are fundamentally flawed, because in order to enable the bin to be steered in the direction of a push or pull they must carry the weight of the container standing at an angle. This angle stress point is where traditional castors break.
In contrast, EcoBin’s ball transfer (or “ball castor”), which is made out of the same unbreakable material as the rest of the bin, has no wheel and no angle! In the illustration below it is easy to see the fundamental advantage of this technology.
Cost Savings
How does the price of the EcoBin™ compare to that of a steel commercial waste container?
Although the price of the EcoBin™ is about the same as that of a high-quality metal bin, it will outlast a metal bin many times over – with virtually no maintenance costs.
How can the EcoBin™ save our company money – especially since so many inexpensive steel bins are available?
EcoBins™ are virtually maintenance free. The unique ball castors will not break. The bin won’t rust, rot, mold, dent, warp, scratch, develop sharp edges or need painting. Graffiti is easily cleaned off on site using standard cleaners.
Compare this to a steel bin. In a typical 5-year cycle a metal bin will need to be repainted 5 times, have its castors replaced 5 times, have its bottom replaced and re-welded 3 times, and be taken back to a central location for graffiti removal at least 10 times. Even if you got the metal bin for free, the maintenance costs alone would be more than double the cost of the EcoBin™.
What are the typical maintenance expenses of the EcoBin™?
Under normal usage conditions, EcoBin™ is virtually maintenance-free and only requires occasional washing.
The Bin
Does the EcoBin™ come fully assembled?
It’s up to the customer. If the customer prefers for them to come assembled, we will fully assemble them free of charge.
However, partially assembled units (i.e. with the lids and castors attached but the fork arms detached) are much more economical for transport, as they can be nested up to 7 high and still be road legal.
Will the EcoBin™ work with our “front loader” trucks?
Yes. They can be lifted with any and all front loaders.
Can we brand the EcoBin™ with our company logo?
Absolutely. Full color graphics (in any color or combination of colors) can be permanently molded into the bin. These graphics will always be there and will never wash or wipe off.
Is there a choice of colors?
Yes, the EcoBin™ can be made in ANY color, including PMS colors, metallics, glow in the dark, you name it!!! They can even be made in multi-colors.
How long will the EcoBin™ last?
Under normal use and if not severely abused, the EcoBin™ can easily last for 300 (yes! 300!!) years, based on the environmentalists’ analysis of these materials. Of course, since we have not yet had a chance to test this claim, we can confidently state that they will last at least 10 years.
Does the EcoBin™ come with a warranty?
Yes. It comes with a 5-year conditional warranty that covers the entire unit, including the ball castors.
Will the EcoBin™ warp or dent?
No. The EcoBin™ commercial waste container is made using a material and process that results in exceptional shape memory and recovery.
We’ve got 1000’s of traditional castors in stock that we’d like to be able to use. Does the EcoBin™ only come pre-assembled with ball castors?
No, although we strongly recommend the use of our specially-designed ball castors, an adapter plate is available that would allow you to use your existing castors. However, because we know that traditional castors break (and break often), our warranty only covers our ball castors.
Can the EcoBin™ be painted?
No. Paint – including graffiti – will come right off. However, there is absolutely no need for paint because (a) your logo and graphics can be included in the mold, and (b) the bin is made of colored plastic, so the color on the bin will always look good.
How does the EcoBin™ differ from the other plastic dumpsters on the market?
Not all plastic waste bins are created equal! Other available products are made using rotational molding. EcoBin™ is made using one-piece structural foam injection molding. This makes it stronger, lighter, more rigid, and able to be stacked higher (without reinforcement) for storage or transport.
How loud is the EcoBin™ compared to traditional steel commercial waste containers?
Quiet!!! Very quiet. EcoBin™ has a muted, low-frequency, cushioned sound, compared to the high-frequency clatter of the metal bins and their castors.
We all know just how loud a metal bin is when your truck picks it up, dumps out its contents, and then plops it back down on the pavement. You can hear it from a block away! In contrast, the EcoBin™ is quiet enough to be used in noise-sensitive areas. It doesn’t clank or clatter, hardly makes a sound at all, and is probably quite a bit quieter than your front-loader truck.
Why do owners and managers of apartments and commercial buildings like the EcoBin™?
There are so many reasons for building owners to love this bin, including:
- Lower Liability – Leaking foodstuff and other garbage is a bio-hazard, and foot traffic takes this leakage all over the property. The EcoBin™ does not and will not leak. In addition, the EcoBin™ eliminates the risk of personal injuries caused by sharp edges, broken castors, etc.
- Avoid Rodents – With metal bins rodents tend to (a) gather where the leakage is and/or (b) get into the bin itself through holes or ill-fitting lids. The EcoBin™ commercial waste container eliminates this problem.
- Decrease Noise – Whether you have an apartment building or a commercial building, your tenants hate the noise of a loud, clanging metal bin. EcoBin™ eliminates this annoying noise pollution.
- Reduce Odor – Because of the non-reactive nature of the container and the corresponding reduction of bacteria, there is considerably less odor than with a metal bin.
- Look Good – Clean, good-looking EcoBins™ are very people-friendly.
Maintenance
How often will we need to replace the ball castors?
If not severely abused, the ball castors will NEVER need to be replaced.
How do you remove graffiti from the EcoBin™?
Just wipe with detergent or any readily available stripper and the graffiti will come right off. Because the EcoBin™ is both acid and alkaline resistant, you can choose a cleaner based on pertinent regulations. Although any standard cleaner will work, EcoBin™ can even survive the strongest of the industrial solvents.
How do you remove graffiti that has been scratched into the surface of the EcoBin™?
Although the EcoBin™ will not scratch, it is possible to etch or cut the surface with a sharp knife. In this case the cut will not readily show, as the color of the bin is the same all the way through the body.
How do you clean the inside of the EcoBin™?
It can be cleaned with a regular hose or garden hose, with or without the use of cleaning products. In addition, M&T Industries also offers a washing unit that can wash the EcoBins™ quickly and easily. Please call for more details.
How do you remove mold from the EcoBin™?
Mold??? What mold? There is no mold with the EcoBin™!!
Storage and Transportation
How high can the EcoBins™ be stacked for storage or transport?
Seven high is easily and safely done, and is road-legal on a low deck.
When stacking EcoBins™, do you need to add reinforcements in between the individual units?
No. With the fork pockets removed the bins are fully vertical and can be stacked without reinforcement.
How many EcoBins™ will fit into a standard container?
| Truck or Container Size | # of EcoBins™ | Diagram |
|---|---|---|
| 20 foot container | 28 |  |
| 40 foot container | 56 |  |
| 40 foot high top container | 64 |  |
Environment
Is the EcoBin™ guaranteed leak-free?
Yes.
What makes the EcoBin™ environmentally friendly?
There are a number of things make this a very eco-friendly bin. First, it is completely leak-free and completely compliant with ALL regulations for commercial waste containers. Second it is 100% recyclable, and made in part from recycled materials. Third, it is very quiet (no noise pollution). And finally it will not mold, harbor bacteria, or absorb any materials.
Is the EcoBin™ fully recyclable?
Yes, 100% recyclable into durable goods.
Does the EcoBin™ satisfy UN/DOT and EPA regulations for commercial waste containers?
Yes, all of the above plus MIL, WHO and FDA, as well as full compliance with EU directive and Earth summit mandates (Rio, Paris, US, Kyoto Summits).