One question we hear from prospective bin-cleaning business owners is:
“Are Sparkling Bins systems EPA compliant?”
The short answer is that an EPA-compliant bin-washing system is not defined solely by a manufacturer’s label. Environmental compliance depends on how a system captures, contains, transports, manages, and disposes of the wash water generated during bin cleaning. Requirements vary by location, so operators must confirm the rules with their local authorities.
Disclaimer: Sparkling Bins does not provide legal, environmental, or regulatory advice. Requirements vary by state, county, city, and wastewater authority. Operators are responsible for confirming applicable requirements and obtaining any necessary approvals directly from their local authorities before beginning operations.
What Makes a Bin Washing System Environmentally Responsible?
A bin-cleaning operation generates wash water that may contain dirt, organic material, liquids, and solid debris. That wash water must be managed in accordance with applicable state and local requirements.
When comparing EPA-compliant bin washing systems, look beyond marketing claims and ask:
- Does the system capture and contain the wash water?
- Can the wash water be transported without spills or leaks?
- How are solid debris and wastewater separated?
- What is the approved method for bin wash water disposal?
- Does the system rely on filtration or water recycling?
- Has the operator obtained approval from the appropriate local authority?
These questions matter because purchasing a bin-washing system does not eliminate the operator’s responsibility for managing the wastewater.
How Sparkling Bins Systems Capture and Contain Wash Water
Sparkling Bins systems are designed to support environmentally responsible bin-cleaning operations, including capturing, containing, and transporting wash water generated during cleaning.
Our cleaning hoppers feature a closed-top design intended to keep wash water contained while the vehicle is operating or traveling on public roads.
Transporting wash water in an open-top container can increase the potential for spills, leaks, or unintended discharge and may conflict with applicable environmental, transportation, or sanitation requirements. A closed-top design helps keep wash water securely contained from the time it is collected until it reaches an appropriate disposal location.
Our systems also incorporate a custom catch tray designed to capture and filter debris or solid waste that may remain inside a trash bin as it is raised for cleaning. This helps prevent solid material from entering the wash water holding tank and keeps debris separated from the collected wastewater for appropriate disposal.
The system is self-contained and designed to capture and hold wash water rather than allowing it to discharge onto streets, into storm drains, or onto surrounding property.
However, capturing wash water is only the first step in responsible wastewater management.
How Does Bin Wash Water Disposal Work?
Once wash water has been captured, it still needs to be properly stored, transported, managed, and disposed of.
The correct method for disposing of bin wash water can vary depending on where your business operates and the requirements of the applicable local authorities. Some jurisdictions may require approval from a sewer authority, a wastewater treatment facility, a municipality, or another regulatory agency.
Sparkling Bins encourages every client to contact the appropriate city, county, sewer authority, wastewater treatment facility, or other applicable local authority before beginning operations. Operators should obtain clear guidance and any required approval for disposing of collected wash water.
A system that captures wastewater is an important part of the process, but it does not determine where that wastewater may legally be discharged.
Does “EPA Compliant” Mean the EPA Certified the Equipment?
The phrase “EPA compliant” can be confusing when used to describe bin-washing equipment.
Prospective buyers may hear manufacturers describe their systems as EPA compliant, which can create the impression that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has evaluated, approved, or certified a particular bin-washing system. Those concepts are not necessarily the same.
For example, a publicly available January 4, 2023, letter from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) regarding another bin-cleaning equipment manufacturer has sometimes been referenced in discussions about environmental compliance.
The letter describes a system that allows water to be reused multiple times for cleaning bins and indicates that multiple bins can be cleaned without immediately refilling or discharging the used water.
However, water reuse does not make the wastewater disappear.
The same letter states:
“Any cleaning liquids or water generated on the units must be managed in accordance with Part 121, Liquid Industrial By-Products in the State of Michigan.”
The letter also discusses acceptance of liquid waste by local sewer authorities and recommends obtaining written approval.
The important distinction is that the Michigan letter addresses requirements evaluated in connection with that state inspection. It should not be interpreted as a statement that the U.S. EPA certified a particular piece of bin-washing equipment. Recycling wash water also does not eliminate the operator’s responsibility to properly manage and dispose of that wastewater.
Is Bin Washing Filtration Required for EPA Compliance?
Some bin-washing systems use filtration to recirculate wash water through multiple cleaning cycles. While water conservation may be a consideration for some operators, bin washing filtration should not be confused with wastewater disposal.
Whether wash water is used once or filtered and reused multiple times, wastewater and other material will eventually require appropriate management and disposal.
A filtration system may extend the time between water changes or reduce the amount of fresh water used during operation. However, operators should still determine:
- What happens to the filtered water?
- What contaminants remain in the system?
- How often must filters be serviced or replaced?
- What wastewater eventually requires disposal?
- Does the local sewer or wastewater authority approve the process?
- Is written approval required?
At Sparkling Bins, we prefer a simpler approach:
Fresh, potable water goes through the cleaning system. Used wash water is captured and contained for proper disposal.
Why Sparkling Bins Uses Fresh Potable Water
There is also a sanitation consideration when comparing fresh-water systems with bin washing filtration systems.
Sparkling Bins cleans each customer’s trash bins with fresh, potable water rather than filtering and recirculating the same wash water from bin to bin.
Trash bins may contain food residue, liquids, dirt, organic material, and other contaminants. In our view, when the objective is to clean a dirty bin thoroughly, beginning each cleaning cycle with fresh water is the more sanitary approach.
There is a meaningful difference between cleaning the next customer’s bin with fresh water and cleaning it with water that has already passed through previously soiled bins and then been filtered for reuse.
How Can Recycled Wash Water Affect Equipment?
Sanitation is not the only consideration.
Recirculating previously used wash water sends that water back through critical components of the cleaning system, including:
- Water pumps
- Hoses
- Valves and fittings
- Spray components
- Cleaning heads
Even with filtration, fine particles or contaminants may remain in recirculated water. Depending on the filtration system, equipment, maintenance practices, and manufacturer specifications, this may contribute to clogging, wear, additional maintenance, or premature component failure.
Operators should review the warranty requirements for the specific pumps and components installed on their equipment. Damage or premature wear associated with recycled or inadequately filtered water may not be covered under certain manufacturer warranties.
This is an important question to ask before purchasing any bin-washing system that relies on recirculated water.
Our Experience With Bin Washing Filtration Systems
Our position on filtration is based on both our own experience and conversations with operators in the field.
Over the years, we have spoken with many bin-cleaning operators who use—or have used—some form of filtration or water-reuse system. While filtration can sound attractive, these systems may add complexity to a mobile bin-washing operation.
Filters require servicing. Additional components need to be monitored and maintained. Filtration systems take up space, and every additional component creates another potential maintenance point or source of downtime.
Using fresh, potable water for cleaning and capturing the used wash water reduces the amount of equipment required to filter and recirculate water.
In our experience, this can mean fewer components to maintain, less potential downtime, and a lower long-term cost of ownership.
Capturing Wash Water Is Only the First Step
For anyone considering starting a trash bin cleaning business, this is one of the most important takeaways:
Capturing wash water is only step one.
The operator must still determine how to legally and responsibly store, transport, and dispose of the wash water in the jurisdiction where the business operates.
That has always been our approach at Sparkling Bins. We encourage customers to communicate with their local authorities and establish an acceptable bin wash water disposal method before beginning operations rather than treating wastewater disposal as an afterthought.
Questions to Ask About EPA Compliant Bin Washing Systems
When comparing bin-washing equipment and hearing the phrase “EPA compliant,” ask:
- Does the system capture and contain the wash water?
- What happens to the wash water after it is captured?
- Does the system use filtration or recirculation?
- What wastewater still requires disposal?
- Has the operator obtained approval from the local sewer or wastewater authority?
These questions help separate equipment features from the broader responsibilities of operating an environmentally responsible bin-cleaning business.
Considering a Bin Washing Filtration System? Talk to Operators
If you are considering a bin-washing system with filtration because you have been told filtration is necessary for EPA compliance, do not rely solely on a manufacturer’s sales presentation—including ours.
Ask the manufacturer to connect you with business owners who purchased and operated the filtration system in real-world conditions.
Then ask:
- Are you still using the filtration system today?
- How well does it perform during normal operations?
- How much maintenance does it require?
- How frequently are filters or other components serviced or replaced?
- Has filtration made it easier to dispose of bin wash water to your local sewer or wastewater authority?
- Has the system reduced your operating costs?
- Has it delivered the benefits you expected?
- Knowing what you know today, would you purchase the filtration system again?
The most useful answers often come from operators who have invested their own money and used the equipment in the field.
Make an Informed Decision Before Buying a Bin Washing System
At Sparkling Bins, we believe prospective business owners should understand both the equipment they are purchasing and the environmental responsibilities that come with operating a bin-cleaning business.
Our systems are designed around a straightforward philosophy:
Clean with fresh water. Capture the used wash water. Keep solid debris out of the wash water tank. Contain the wash water during operation and transportation. Work with the appropriate local authority to determine the proper disposal method.
We do not believe purchasing decisions should be driven by fear or broad claims about what is or is not “EPA compliant.”
We would rather give prospective operators the information and resources they need to conduct their own research, speak with experienced owners, contact local authorities, and make an informed decision.
If you have questions about Sparkling Bins’ bin-washing systems, wash-water recovery, bin-wash water disposal, water usage, bin-washing filtration, or starting a trash-bin cleaning business, contact our team. We are happy to explain how our systems work and help you identify the questions to ask your local municipality, sewer authority, or wastewater treatment facility before beginning operations.