WITHOUT an effective waste management system, a country faces serious public health and environmental risks. In 2024, South Africa generated approximately 108 million tonnes of waste – 90% of which ended up in landfills, with only 10% being recycled.
Sonia Pretorius, national sales manager for 600SA, a division of CFAO Equipment, which supplies waste compactors to operations servicing municipalities and businesses nationwide, says South Africa has much to do to reduce waste sent to landfills and establish a circular economy.
“At 600SA, we are cognisant of the larger issues at play in the waste management sector, as well as the role we play in ensuring that waste is efficiently collected, compacted and disposed of. In this respect, the choice of equipment is critical.”
The business supplies Orakçi waste compactors to waste disposal operations. “Our waste compactors reduce waste volume by up to 85%, shrinking it to just one-sixth of its original size. This ensures the waste takes up less space at the landfill and decomposes more rapidly,” notes Pretorius.
Orakçi compactors stand out in the market for their high level of customisability. “The compactors we import are not standard Orakçi units. They have been specifically modified to meet the unique demands of the South African market,” explains Pretorius. A recent innovation, for example, involves repositioning the sensors from the top of the compactor to either side of the tailgate, helping to protect them from damage caused by overhanging tree branches.
“Additionally, we have extended the rear steps of the trucks to reduce the risk of waste collectors falling, especially when navigating potholes and other road challenges commonly found in South Africa,” says Pretorius.
Orakçi reinforced the sub-frame of its compactors with additional steel for added durability to suit African markets. Compactors operate in more rugged conditions, and thus, the steel that lies on top of the truck chassis was being jolted around excessively, causing the units to crack. Since the additional steel was added to the design, this no longer happens.
“Every year, Orakçi makes adjustments – some big, some small – but this continuous improvement is aimed at making waste collection in our country as seamless as possible,” she says.
