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USA Environmental Services is focused on providing responsible environmental solutions. We help drive education & sustainability to support our communities.

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Sustainability Eductation

We offer consulting & technology applications for proper recycle training, emission avoidance tracking, and  education. 

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Educational Content

Our available tools & resources that will teach responsible recycling & sustainability education. 

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Community Partner

Educating the community will improve diversion and save resources. It is our mission to help drive sustainability efforts to preserve our neighborhoods.

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Attention California Businesses & Residents
Organic Waste Recycling - Effective January 1, 2022

Effective January 1, 2022, all businesses and residents that reside in the state of California are required to recycle organic waste. Organic waste includes food waste, landscape debris, green waste, non-hazardous wood waste, and food-soiled paper products. Organic waste material can be combined and collected in one cart for residential customers. Commercial business customers will need to have organic waste separated into a two-cart system (one cart is needed for food waste and one cart for yard waste).

 

Acceptable waste will include:

  • Food waste: Prepared food, meat, vegetables, fruit, bones, eggshells, and dairy.

  • Green/Yard waste: Grass, leaves, plants, and branches.

  • Food-soiled paper: Paper plates, napkins, coffee filters, and tea bags. 

Recycling Basic Steps

1.  Be mindful of what you put in your recycling container to ensure that only acceptable items are included. Examples of materials that can typically be recycled include cardboard, paper, plastic bottles, and metal cans. Check with your local waste management or recycling program for a comprehensive list of what is accepted in your area. Proper sorting of recyclable materials is key to reducing contamination and improving the quality of the recycling stream.

2.  To prepare your recyclable items for proper processing, make sure to empty them of any food, liquid, or other contaminants. For plastic and metal items, it's recommended to wash and dry them before placing them in the recycling container. Certain materials, such as items that are contaminated by liquid, food waste, or mixed materials like plastic and paper blended packaging, are not accepted in recycling programs and should be placed in the trash. Be sure to read the instructions carefully and consult your local waste management or recycling program if you're unsure about what items are acceptable.

3.  Avoid putting your recyclable items in plastic bags, as this can interfere with the recycling process and damage machinery. Instead, place your recyclable items directly into your recycling container without using a bag. Plastic bags can't be recycled through curbside programs and are often sent to landfill or incineration, contributing to waste and pollution. If you need to dispose of plastic bags, look for a designated drop-off location at your local grocery store or other retailers that accept plastic bag recycling.

  • What do I need to consider when renting or purchasing compactor equipment?
    Type of Waste - What type of waste are you disposing of? You will need the right product of compaction equipment to accommodate your waste type. Size of Waste - How large are the items you will be disposing of? You will need a Feed Opening large enough to handle certain waste material. % of Recycling Material - Does your waste stream produce an efficient amount of recyclables to implement a compactor program? Energy Source - Does your building have adequate power available at the designated compactor location? Single or three phase? Safety - Are you following the recommended ANSI standards to make sure your installation complies? A 42" high barrier is required between the equipment user and the charge box. Does your equipment have an access interlock switch on chute or hopper doors and gates? Does your equipment have a "momentary contact" control need? Equipment Location - Does your designated compactor location have adequate height to support easy use? Is additional add-on equipment needed to accommodate your unit's location or handling needs (i.e., ozone odor control system, cart dumping system, etc.)?
  • What are the benefits of having a compactor?
    Reduces hauling costs by compressing waste for fewer haul trips Requires less space for holding solid waste on site Controls odor and pest issues Reduces labor cost & increases operational efficiency Reduces fire hazards by containing waste in a confined container versus in the open air Positive environmental impact by reducing gas emissions
  • What type of oil should I use for my compactor?
    Recommendations: Union: Unax 46, Unax AW46 Gulf: Harmony 47, Harmony 48-AW Exxon: Teresstic 46, Nuto 46 Texaco: AW46 Shell: Turbo 46, Tellus 46 Quaker State: Dextron IIA Citgo: Pacemaker 46, Tellus AW46 Amoco: Rycon Please Note: You must check with a USA Environmental Services representative or the vendor installing the compaction equipment on the specific oil recommendations. There are a variety of compaction units that have different oil requirements.
  • What are common concrete pad requirements?
    Common Concrete Pad Requirements: The preferred dimensions of a concrete pad are 10'0" wide with a length of 5'0" greater than the length of the selected compactor & container. The pad should be a minimum of 3,000 PSI concrete steel reinforcement (6" thick). The concrete pad should be flush with the ground level. Containers that have four ground rollers must be installed on a level pad. For convenient access, the concrete pad needs to be positioned to allow 2'0" between the equipment and building wall if the unit is installed parallel with the building. A minimum of 45'0" of clearance is needed at the end of the pad for the hauling vehicle. Stationary compactors require a minimum of 28'0" of clear space on each side. Please Note: Our recommended clearances are minimums. Your site location and choice of equipment may require additional clearance space. Please Note: You must check with a USA Environmental Services representative or the vendor installing the compaction equipment on the specific concrete pad requirements. There are a variety of compaction units and location placement variables that play a role in the recommended concrete pad specification requirements.
  • What are common anchoring requirements for a concrete pad?
    Common Anchoring Requirements For Concrete Pads: The compactor should be anchored to a concrete pad using a minimum of four (4) 3/4" x 6" long anchor bolts. These bolts can be secured using a "Porok" or specialized concrete anchors. It is best if these holes are drilled into the concrete after pre-placing the compactor in the desired location. Holes in the leg plates are 1-5/16" Dia. to permit the use of 1-1/8" Dia. concrete bit. The 1-1/8" Dia. holes in the concrete should be about 5" deep. When the compactor unit has been permanently located, adjusted to compensate for unevenness, and anchor bolts set, tighten all nuts securely. Optional container guides should be anchored in an identical manner. Spacing between guides is determined by rail spacing of the container. Please Note: You must check with a USA Environmental Services representative or the vendor installing the compaction equipment on the specific anchoring requirements for your concrete pad. There are a variety of compaction units and location placement variables that play a role in the anchoring requirements for a concrete pad.
  • What if my container is empty and my compactor won't start?
    Common Troubleshoot Recommendations: Check the connection of the hydraulic hoses to the power pack of the compactor body. Check the disconnect. Is the disconnect on? Then press the reset button on the motor starter. If the unit has a jog control switch, confirm that the key switch is in the Remote position. If the Emergency Stop switch is a maintained push/pull switch, press and pull to the out position. Check the fuses. Do you have voltage flowing? Please Note: You must check with a USA Environmental Services representative or the vendor installing the compaction equipment on the specific Troubleshoot Recommendations. There are a variety of compaction units that have different instructions for Troubleshoot Recommendations.
Container Label Kit

Download the images below. Try printing on sticker paper to label your containers. 

  • What do I need to consider when renting or purchasing compactor equipment?
    Type of Waste - What type of waste are you disposing of? You will need the right product of compaction equipment to accommodate your waste type. Size of Waste - How large are the items you will be disposing of? You will need a Feed Opening large enough to handle certain waste material. % of Recycling Material - Does your waste stream produce an efficient amount of recyclables to implement a compactor program? Energy Source - Does your building have adequate power available at the designated compactor location? Single or three phase? Safety - Are you following the recommended ANSI standards to make sure your installation complies? A 42" high barrier is required between the equipment user and the charge box. Does your equipment have an access interlock switch on chute or hopper doors and gates? Does your equipment have a "momentary contact" control need? Equipment Location - Does your designated compactor location have adequate height to support easy use? Is additional add-on equipment needed to accommodate your unit's location or handling needs (i.e., ozone odor control system, cart dumping system, etc.)?
  • What are the benefits of having a compactor?
    Reduces hauling costs by compressing waste for fewer haul trips Requires less space for holding solid waste on site Controls odor and pest issues Reduces labor cost & increases operational efficiency Reduces fire hazards by containing waste in a confined container versus in the open air Positive environmental impact by reducing gas emissions
  • What type of oil should I use for my compactor?
    Recommendations: Union: Unax 46, Unax AW46 Gulf: Harmony 47, Harmony 48-AW Exxon: Teresstic 46, Nuto 46 Texaco: AW46 Shell: Turbo 46, Tellus 46 Quaker State: Dextron IIA Citgo: Pacemaker 46, Tellus AW46 Amoco: Rycon Please Note: You must check with a USA Environmental Services representative or the vendor installing the compaction equipment on the specific oil recommendations. There are a variety of compaction units that have different oil requirements.
  • What are common concrete pad requirements?
    Common Concrete Pad Requirements: The preferred dimensions of a concrete pad are 10'0" wide with a length of 5'0" greater than the length of the selected compactor & container. The pad should be a minimum of 3,000 PSI concrete steel reinforcement (6" thick). The concrete pad should be flush with the ground level. Containers that have four ground rollers must be installed on a level pad. For convenient access, the concrete pad needs to be positioned to allow 2'0" between the equipment and building wall if the unit is installed parallel with the building. A minimum of 45'0" of clearance is needed at the end of the pad for the hauling vehicle. Stationary compactors require a minimum of 28'0" of clear space on each side. Please Note: Our recommended clearances are minimums. Your site location and choice of equipment may require additional clearance space. Please Note: You must check with a USA Environmental Services representative or the vendor installing the compaction equipment on the specific concrete pad requirements. There are a variety of compaction units and location placement variables that play a role in the recommended concrete pad specification requirements.
  • What are common anchoring requirements for a concrete pad?
    Common Anchoring Requirements For Concrete Pads: The compactor should be anchored to a concrete pad using a minimum of four (4) 3/4" x 6" long anchor bolts. These bolts can be secured using a "Porok" or specialized concrete anchors. It is best if these holes are drilled into the concrete after pre-placing the compactor in the desired location. Holes in the leg plates are 1-5/16" Dia. to permit the use of 1-1/8" Dia. concrete bit. The 1-1/8" Dia. holes in the concrete should be about 5" deep. When the compactor unit has been permanently located, adjusted to compensate for unevenness, and anchor bolts set, tighten all nuts securely. Optional container guides should be anchored in an identical manner. Spacing between guides is determined by rail spacing of the container. Please Note: You must check with a USA Environmental Services representative or the vendor installing the compaction equipment on the specific anchoring requirements for your concrete pad. There are a variety of compaction units and location placement variables that play a role in the anchoring requirements for a concrete pad.
  • What if my container is empty and my compactor won't start?
    Common Troubleshoot Recommendations: Check the connection of the hydraulic hoses to the power pack of the compactor body. Check the disconnect. Is the disconnect on? Then press the reset button on the motor starter. If the unit has a jog control switch, confirm that the key switch is in the Remote position. If the Emergency Stop switch is a maintained push/pull switch, press and pull to the out position. Check the fuses. Do you have voltage flowing? Please Note: You must check with a USA Environmental Services representative or the vendor installing the compaction equipment on the specific Troubleshoot Recommendations. There are a variety of compaction units that have different instructions for Troubleshoot Recommendations.
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