Recycling Trucks Market Size

Recycling Trucks Market size was valued at USD 7.6 billion in 2023 and is estimated to register a CAGR of over 6% between 2024 and 2032. The growing importance of effective waste management practices is driving market growth. As societies prioritize environmental preservation and resource conservation, the emphasis on proper waste management increases. This results in a rise in recycling activities and programs, which require collection and delivery, increasing the demand for specialized trucks. Effective trash management through recycling provides economic benefits.

Recycled materials may be utilized to create new goods, minimizing dependency on virgin resources and promoting a circular economy. This encourages businesses and governments to engage in recycling programs, resulting in increased demand for recycling trucks. Consumer demand for sustainable practices is driven by the growing awareness of environmental challenges and the consequences of waste mishandling. Consumers exert pressure on firms and governments to provide appropriate waste management solutions, such as extensive recycling programs, requiring a fleet of recycling vehicles.

The rapid urbanization and population growth are fueling the adoption of recycling trucks. As cities expand and populations rise, increased item consumption creates more trash including packaging materials, food leftovers, yard waste, and other recyclable items. Traditional waste management systems are struggling to keep up with this expanding volume, requiring an emphasis on recycling to move garbage away from disposal sites. Cities necessitate effective collection systems as they manage more trash.

Recycling vehicles developed exclusively for collecting recyclables have become necessary. These trucks are outfitted with features such as various compartments for sorting different recyclable materials and lifting or compaction systems to maximize vehicle capacity.

In January 2024, the UN issued its “World Urbanization Prospects 2024” study, which predicts that by 2050, approximately 70% of the world population will live in cities, with urban populations increasing by 2.3 billion over the following 30 years. Rapid urbanization will create more waste in cities worldwide, fueling the need for proper waste management systems and, in turn, boosting the demand for the market.

The high initial investments and operational costs pose major challenges to the recycling trucks market, potentially slowing down growth. The high cost of acquiring a recycling truck, particularly one with modern features such as automation or electric drivetrains, can be a substantial barrier for smaller cities or private waste management organizations with restricted funds. Financing for costly recycling trucks might be difficult for smaller businesses as banks or lenders may regard them as a bigger risk than larger, more established enterprises.

Recycling trucks sometimes require specialist maintenance owing to the wear & tear from gathering heavy items, further increasing the operating costs. To reduce these expenses, some businesses may choose to postpone maintenance on their recycling vehicles. This can result in malfunctions, decreased efficiency, and disruptions in garbage collection services.

Recycling Trucks Market Trends

The market is witnessing significant advancements in recycling technology. As recycling technologies improve, these trucks can handle a wider range of materials, increasing their demand. For example, advancements in chemical recycling may enable the processing of complex polymers, necessitating vehicles equipped to handle and separate these materials effectively. New sorting technologies, such as optical sorting or Artificial Intelligence (AI) powered systems, may detect and separate recyclables more precisely and efficiently.

Recycling vehicles must be customized to function seamlessly with these sorting systems. This might include elements, such as conveyor belts or chambers, intended for the specific materials that the new technology can process. Furthermore, newer recycling trucks are equipped with more powerful and efficient compaction devices. This enables them to collect bigger amounts of recyclables while minimizing the number of visits and optimizing collection routes.

For instance, in December 2023, Prairie Robotics installed AI technology on recycling trucks in Bay City, Michigan, as part of a six-month pilot project to improve recycling in the city. Bay City partnered with the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), The Recycling Partnership, and Prairie Robotics on the project. Prairie Robotics installed cameras, GPS, and computers on the city's recycling trucks to monitor the contents of curbside recycling bins.

The AI technology analyzes the recycling bins and provides feedback to households on proper recycling practices to improve recycling efficiency and reduce contamination. The project is being funded by a grant of over USD 50,000 from EGLE, with technical support from The Recycling Partnership.

Recycling Trucks Market Analysis

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Based on trucks, the market is divided into rear loaders, side loaders, front loaders, automated side loaders, and grapple trucks. The rear loaders segment dominates the market in 2023 and is projected to exceed USD 5 billion by 2032. Rear loaders can adapt to different collection situations. Their design enables effective functioning in both urban regions with tight streets and suburban districts with broader roadways. Rear loading mechanisms require less side clearance than side loaders, making them suitable for maneuvering narrow locations.

Rear loaders provide a simple loading technique, allowing operators to handle bins and deposit recyclables into the truck's back hopper. This facilitates collecting, particularly for non-specialized staff. A rear loader's hopper can be rather big, allowing for the effective collection of a substantial volume of recyclables before the truck has to be emptied. This minimizes the number of collection visits necessary, thereby increasing total route efficiency. Compared to other variants, such as front loaders or automated side loaders, rear loaders are often less expensive to buy and operate. Several cities and waste management corporations prioritize cost-effectiveness, especially in budget-constrained situations.

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Based on propulsion, the recycling trucks market is categorized into ICE, and electric. The ICE segment held a major market share of around 46% in 2023. ICE vehicles are less expensive to acquire upfront than electric or alternative fuel-powered recycling trucks. This is an important factor for governments and trash management firms, particularly those with restricted finances.

The reduced initial cost enables faster fleet renewal or growth, which is critical for dealing with the increasing trash quantities due to rising urbanization. ICE technology is well-established with a large network of fueling stations easily available. This makes it easier for businesses to maintain and operate ICE recycling trucks without being concerned about the driving range, particularly in distant places. Technicians and mechanics are widely available to service and repair ICE engines, which reduces downtime and maintenance costs when compared to alternative fuel technologies.

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North America dominated the global recycling trucks market with a share of over 36% in 2023. The region is witnessing a rising emphasis on sustainability, with more firms and consumers adopting environment-friendly activities. This creates a need for recycling trucks with characteristics such as electric or alternative fuel engines. Furthermore, North American governments are enforcing stronger restrictions to encourage garbage diversion and recycling, generating a demand for efficient recycling vehicles. Also, there is a focus on integrating automation and data analytics into recycling trucks to optimize collection routes and improve efficiency across North America, further supporting market growth.

The electric recycling truck market in the U.S. is predicted to expand significantly. Government subsidies, reduced battery costs, and increased environmental concerns are propelling this trend. Companies in the U.S. are increasingly attempting to integrate advanced sorting technology into their recycling vehicles such as optical sorting or AI systems. This increases efficiency and enables the processing of a broader range of recyclable materials. Many current recycling trucks in the U.S. are reaching the end of their lifespan, creating a need for investing in new, more efficient recycling trucks to satisfy rising garbage collection requirements.

The APAC region is undergoing rapid urbanization, creating enormous amounts of garbage, particularly in highly populated cities such as India, China, and Indonesia. This necessitates the expansion of garbage collection infrastructure including a larger fleet of recycling trucks. Many APAC countries are enacting stronger restrictions and policies to encourage trash reduction and recycling. This frequently entails establishing aggressive recycling objectives and offering incentives to purchase recycling trucks.

European countries including France, Germany, the UK, and the Netherlands are witnessing significant growth in the recycling trucks market. European countries are at the forefront of enforcing stronger environmental laws and encouraging sustainable activities. This augments the demand for effective waste management solutions such as recycling trucks. Europe has implemented some of the most stringent emission restrictions in the world.

This is propelling the demand for greener technology such as electric and alternative fuel recycling trucks. Furthermore, European waste management organizations are actively seeking methods to improve their operations. This generates a market for recycling trucks with features such as automated sorting systems and route optimization software.

Recycling Trucks Market Share

WM Intellectual Property Holdings, L.L.C. and Heil - An Environmental Solutions Group Company hold a significant market share of over 16% in the recycling trucks industry. Numerous companies endeavor to create recycling trucks featuring cutting-edge waste sorting technologies, incorporating automated sorting systems, optical sensors, and AI-powered algorithms to enhance recycling efficiency and reduce contamination. These trucks are designed with flexible and modular configurations capable of handling diverse recyclable materials, such as paper, plastic, glass, and metals, facilitating efficient collection and separation operations.

Certain companies offer customization choices and flexible setups for recycling trucks, tailored to meet individual customer needs such as bin size compatibility, collection frequency, and route optimization functionalities.

Recycling Trucks Market Companies

Major companies operating in the recycling trucks industry are:

• Amrep Inc.
• Daimler Truck AG.
• Dennis Eagle
• Faun Umwelttechnik GmbH & Co. KG
• Heil - An Environmental Solutions Group Company
• Labrie Trucks.
• McNeilus Truck and Manufacturing, Inc.
• Schwarze Industries
• Volvo Trucks
• WM Intellectual Property Holdings, L.L.C.
  

Recycling Trucks Industry News

• In February 2024, Pompano Beach, Florida added its first electric garbage truck to its municipal fleet, a Mack LR Electric model. The electric garbage truck was unveiled at a local e-mobility event, where Mack Trucks handed over the vehicle to Coastal Waste & Recycling, the first private waste hauler in Florida to invest in electric trucks.
  
• In November 2023, COR Disposal and Recycling announced plans to launch the first electric garbage truck in the Eastside area of Portland, Oregon. This zero-emission truck, funded through Portland General Electric's Drive Change Fund, is a significant milestone for the company, marking a shift toward sustainability and reduced environmental impact.
  

The recycling trucks market research report includes in-depth coverage of the industry, with estimates & forecast in terms of revenue (USD Million) and volume (units) from 2021 to 2032, for the following segments:

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Market, By Truck

• Rear loaders
  • ICE       
  • Electric
• Side loaders
  • ICE       
  • Electric
• Front loaders
  • ICE       
  • Electric
• Automated side loaders
  • ICE       
  • Electric
• Grapple trucks
  • ICE       
  • Electric

Market, By Body Type

• Compactor trucks
• Transfer trucks
• Roll-off trucks
• Hoist trucks

Market, By Capacity

• Upto 10 tons
• 10 to 20 tons
• Above 20 tons

Market, By Propulsion

• ICE 
  • Diesel
  • CNG 
• Electric
  • BEV
  • HEV

The above information is provided for the following regions and countries:

• North America
  • U.S.
  • Canada
• Europe
  • UK
  • Germany
  • France
  • Russia
  • Italy
  • Spain
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • India
  • Japan
  • South Korea
  • ANZ
  • Southeast Asia
  • Rest of Asia Pacific 
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • Argentina
  • Rest of Latin America
• MEA
  • UAE
  • South Africa
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Rest of MEA