Enclosure and Facility Design
Guidelines for Refuse and Recycling
Containers
http://www.cityofwestsacramento.org/city/depts/finance/recycling/guidelines.asp
West Sacramento, CA
Updated October 2010
General Guidelines
There shall be an area provided for recycle containers and enclosures. Recycling
enclosures shall be located for functional use by occupants and by the disposal and
hauling companies providing collection services. Trash enclosure areas should be sized to
accommodate waste collection and recycling collection. Taking into account that bins
are normally only available in standard sizes, a minimum suggested standard is a 15’ X 9’
inside dimension layout. Exterior collection areas shall be no more than 250 feet from
each living unit within a residential development. Turning radius for vehicles at 26/46.
Municipal Code Title 8 Chapter 8.08 and Title 17, Chapter 17.38
The Refuse & Recycling Division is available to conduct a waste evaluation. This free
service will assist in determining optimal levels of refuse and recycling services for
anticipated occupants. Please contact the Division at 617-4590.
Front End Loading Container
Illustrations A & A-1 provide examples of enclosure layouts that meet the minimum
standards. Some projects may require a larger enclosure.
Enclosures:
A. Trash and Recycle containers must be located within an enclosed masonry area
consistent with the architecture of the project with a surrounding wall at least five
(5) feet high and no higher than eight (8) feet. Landscaping per landscape
guidelines required. A pedestrian access, separate from primary service access is
recommended.
B. Enclosures require at least 50% of space designated for recycling. This often
requires two bins, one for recycling and one for trash. Dimensions vary based on
projected usage. Allow a minimum of 30” between containers.
C. Enclosure shall be located twenty-five (25) feet from any public street, fifteen
(15) feet from the edge of pavement of a private street and in commercial areas,
twenty-five (25) feet from any residential zoned property line.
D. Enclosure gates should be two inches off the ground and hung on the outside so
that when open, gates are out of the bin’s way. Gates should be able to open more
than 90 and should not include a center post but be equipped with a bolt to
secure the gate when in the open and closed position. Hardware should be of
sufficient strength to accommodate repetitive swinging.
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E. Lid ears and bin pockets will rub enclosure walls. Bin may also roll against the
back or sides of the enclosure during service. A 4” bumper raised 6” made of
wood, concrete or metal will significantly extend enclosure life. Any bolts or
screws should be inset to avoid injury to collector or user.
F. Container should be on a flat, level surface in enclosure when driver dumps the
container. A concrete apron or pad, having a minimum size of ten feet (10’) wide
by twenty feet (20’) long should be constructed in front of each exterior collection
area or enclosure or at the point of pickup by the collection vehicle. Maximum
roll-out by collector is 8’ from enclosure to truck.
Clearance and drive path for Front End Loading Vehicles:
Illustration B
A. Storm drain grills should not be placed in the driving path of the truck. Drains
installed in or beneath containers must be connected to a grease removal device
prior to discharging to sanitary sewer.
B. Approach and container location should be designed to minimize backing.
C. Vertical clearance of twenty five feet (25’) is required for in place lift. For rollout service, 15’ overhead clearance is required
Approximate Container Dimensions:
2 cubic yard dumpster
3 cubic yard dumpster
4 cubic yard dumpster
Length
81”
81”
81”
Depth
40”
48”
66”
Height
42”
48”
60”
Height is measured with the lids. Lids must remain closed at all times except when the
container is being loaded or unloaded. When lids are raised, full height from the ground
to the top of lids may extend to 140”.
One cubic yard = 170 gallons
Required Clearance for Front End Loading Vehicles:
Illustration B & C
Vertical (Approach and Exit)
Vertical (When dumping bin)
Lateral
Turning Radius
Length of Vehicle
Service Length
15’ High
25’ High
16’ Wide
26 inside; 46’ outside
34’ to front of forks + 6’ with forks extended
52’ (34’ vehicle length; 6’ forks; 6’ container; 5’ backing)
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Roll Off Containers (Debris Boxes)
Illustration D & E
Container Placement:
This type of container is most frequently used at construction sites, but it is also designed
for very high volume users.
A. Roll off containers may be placed directly behind a building where space is
available at a loading dock to allow loading from above. See Illustration D.
B. Container should be on a level surface. If placed on an incline, roll-away
protection is required. Hauler will provide on site inspections before final
container placement.
C. Loading docks should be equipped with bumper pads to avoid undue dock
damage from heavy container. Contact hauler before designing any guide rails
for container.
D. Temporary, in-street placement requires user to obtain an encroachment permit.
In-street placement generally requires a minimum of two full size parking spaces
plus room for the truck to maneuver while servicing. 75’ minimum is required as
shown in Illustration E.
E. Allow 10’ wide access for driver to check the rear of the container before loading
onto vehicle. 75’ total length for service
Required Clearances for Roll Off Vehicle:
Vertical (Approach and exit)
Vertical (Rails raised with bin)
Lateral
Service Area Length
14’ high
25’ high
10’ wide
75’ long
Container Dimensions:
Width
25-30 cubic yard lowboy
25 cubic yard highside
30 cubic yard highside
40 cubic yard highside
8’
8’
8’
8’
Depth
22’
18’
18’
22’
Height
4’
5
6’
7’
Compacting Units:
Compactors vary in size. Manufacturer should provide capacity and dimensions. Note
trash compactor location, identifying ingress/egress route and turning radius. Compactor
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for trash does not eliminate the requirement for 50% recycling space. Also note
location/capacity for recycling.
Grease/Rendering Units:
Complexes anticipating the requirement for grease/rendering units should increase size of
enclosure to accommodate. A 300 gallon tank is approximately 4’ X 4’ in size. Allow
additional space for servicing of container. Please refer to Illustration A-1 for an
example of an enclosure layout with rendering tank.
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6
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Illustration B
Clearance
Twenty five-foot clearance of overhead obstructions is necessary where the vehicle will
lift and empty the container. Generally, the driver will attempt to move the container out
away from the enclosure before dumping.
If overhead obstructions exist it is advisable to have plans reviewed in order to avoid
property damage.
25’
Overhead utility
lines or building
overhang
Hauler
Enclosure
8’
13’
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Illustration C
Facility Design (not to scale)
Parking
38’/58’
Truck
28’
Possible Containers
Location
15’
Building
Exit
16’
Enter
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Illustration D
Roll-Off Container Placement
This illustration depicts top-loading of container. Container doors are at rear of container
(next to dock). If container is to be loaded from ground level, allow minimum of 5’
between container and dock or other stationary object to open gates.
Dock
Parking
8’
10’
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Illustration E
Roll-Off Container Placement
14’
25’
Allow minimum of 75’ to load/unload container safely. Truck rails extend to 25’ high
when servicing container.
Roll Off Bin
75’
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