[Product History] Industrial Machinery Systems Division’s Refuse Transfer Station
We would like to introduce the history of the “Refuse Transfer Station System,” one of the key products of the Industrial Machinery Systems Division.
- What is a refuse transfer station system?
A refuse transfer station system is a facility that gathers waste collected by refuse compactors (garbage trucks) from households and commercial facilities, compresses it, and transfers it into large containers. The considerably compacted waste is then transported by large vehicles to final disposal sites. The presence of refuse transfer station systems leads to efficient refuse compactor operation as well as providing added value by lowering CO2 emissions and making up for the shortage of drivers.
The Beginning:
The Special Purpose Trucks Divison, which manufactures dump trucks and other products, turned its attention on the issue of waste, which was becoming increasingly concerning as the economy grew. It devised and launched research into the concept of garbage transfer stations that would handle both collection and transportation, and it did so ahead of its competitors.
1970:
We began by developing the compactor, a waste compacting device, through a technical tie-up with a French company. We combined this with a refuse compactor, detachable container system, and other components to create a refuse collection and transportation system, the progenitor of the refuse transfer station system in use today. We subsequently began taking orders for a lineup consisting of four different patterns, including a refuse relay transportation system (relay base system). Toward the end of the 1970s, we delivered our first refuse transfer station system to the Kyoto Prefectural Government.
As our domestic deliveries continued to grow, we turned our attention to overseas markets. We made our foray into the Southeast Asian market and steadily established a track record, delivering products to Indonesia and Malaysia among others.
2000s - present:
In Japan, social issues such as the declining population and depopulation have led to waste treatment plants being consolidated and eliminated and waste disposal being expanded across a wide area. The demand for refuse transfer station systems to handle these developments increased accordingly.
Since the 1990s, the entire Group has been working together to provide hygienic and efficient waste transportation and assist in the formation of a recycling-oriented society. For example, ShinMaywa Waste Technology, Ltd., a Group company, has been operating some refuse transfer station systems.
Tono Relay Center completed in 2015 (Iwate Prefecture)
ShinMaywa’s products and services continue to support social infrastructure throughout society today.
