whatever happend to under the sink trash compactors

[dmurdock]

I remember about 20 years ago my uncle had a new house built and it included a trash compactor under the sink. I thought this was the coolest thing ever (we all searched for trash to put in it just so we could crush it). Whatever happend to these things?? I'd consider one if they were still available... (if just to play with )

 

[illflem]

I read several years ago that many municipalities were discouraging trash compactors because they allowed trash cans to become too heavy and some trashmen were getting injured trying to lift them. Nowadays in some areas your trash is sorted for recycling, sort of hard to do when it is in one chunk. I remember the old compactors, some even automatically squirted air freshener with the trash. You should see my trash compactor, 3000 lb piece of concrete with lift hooks, fits perfect in my steel dumpster. Lower it in with a forklift when things start overflowing. Packs a full dumpster down to one quarter.

 

[Motorhead]

Illflem, I am going to stop by your place if I am ever up in Montana just to see your "stuff" Chris

 

[TPCDrafting]

It is still readily possible to get a trash compactor. I have a friend that built his house over the last 4 years and he has one in his kitchen. I do occasionally spec one on a set of plans.

 

[BLee]

Just go down to Sears and ask to see their compactors in the appliance department. Handiest thing since sliced bread.

 

[Todd G]

In the appliance industry we used to call them stink bombs. Imagine not taking your trash out for a few weeks. They were the appliance in the kitchen with the shortest lifespan also. They would rust out quickly and destroy themselves from the pressure. I don't know how many houses I went to that had one just sitting there because it hadn't worked in years, they couldn't or didn't want to replace it, and was too expensive to fill in with cabinets.

 

[Wolfgang]

I bought my house two years ago with the Trash compactor. It is wonderful. The compactor is probably 8 or 9 years old and still works flawlessly. We don't go for weeks with trash in it. I would replace it when the time comes if I found another.

 

[15w40]

I love mine. I throw everything into it; cans, bottles, body parts, and it will press them into a heavy cube.



Just kidding about the body parts.

 

[TPCDrafting]

Speakin of body parts, I'm glad we didn't have one growing up. My brother would have found a way to squeeze me in there and turn it on. I did go for a ride in the dryer once.

 

[DHatfield]

We still have a small under counter trash compactor in our break room at my work place and it still get used regularly.