At first glance, many waste and recycling containers appear similar.
Some are even described as “like Molok®, but better” often because they combine underground storage with the familiar frontload or forklift style collection.
In reality, the fundamental difference is in the design. And the design of the product is what either solves or creates waste problems.
This photo is of the forklifted semi-underground bins that are collected by a front-loader garbage truck, and as you can see – there’s a few issues.
Let’s go through how the design is creating a weaker product.
A note about the decision to design a semi-underground container that could be collected by front loaders, this was to ensure they could be collected by the old style of trucks. This is not an issue, there are over 20 different companies across the country that have crane-lifted trucks [see below].
Because this style of container is lifted up entirely out of the ground, high up in the air, for the waste to fall out of the top of the bin, into the back of the front-loader, the container can’t be fixed into the ground.
Over time, and particularly through freeze/thaw cycles, this can result in movement with snow or ice blocking the path of the container back into place. A lot of rain can also buoy the container up from below.
Molok® containers are installed into a prepared gravel base and secured in place with a layer of concrete. During collection, only the internal lifting bag is raised, while the container itself remains stationary. This stability is foundational to long-term performance.
While this site isn’t particularly safe in this state, there is an ongoing reason for concern with this design*.
When containers are lifted entirely out of the ground, open pits are temporarily exposed during collection. Even when procedures are followed correctly, this can introduce additional safety considerations for pedestrians, children, and animals.
Molok® containers are fixed, and the above-ground framing creates a protective perimeter. The lifting bag contains the waste and is what’s raised by the crane—helping maintain a safer, more controlled environment during collection.
Repeated lifting, tilting, and re-setting of entire containers can place stress on both the container and the surrounding infrastructure over time.
Molok® lifting bags are designed and verified with defined Safe Working Loads and can be replaced independently if required. Many Molok® containers installed in Canada more than 25 years ago remain in service today, proof of a design focused on longevity.
Front-load or forklift collection requires significant clearance in front of each container, often limiting parking or other valuable site uses. In this photo, you can see the long yellow lines here preventing customer parking.
Crane-lifted collection requires minimal access, often just a few feet in front of the container. In many cases, three Molok® containers can provide equivalent or greater capacity within a single parking space.
When a large portion of a container remains above ground, the inherent benefits of semi-underground systems such as gravity compaction and temperature moderation are reduced.
With more of the volume below grade, Molok® containers:
- Naturally compact waste using gravity
- Maintain cooler, more stable temperatures
- Help slow decomposition and reduce odours
Some systems require extensive concrete pads and curbing, adding cost and reducing flexibility during site planning.
Molok® containers can often be installed directly into landscaped areas or existing asphalt, minimizing the need for additional concrete and helping reduce overall project costs.
Designed for real environments
Not all “semi-underground” systems are created equal. Design decisions such as how a container is installed, how it’s collected, and how it interacts with its environment matter greatly over time.
Molok® containers were developed with long-term performance, safety, space efficiency, and durability in mind. It’s not just about putting waste underground, it’s about doing it properly, beautifully, and responsibly.
Molok is grounded in real world conditions and our 35-years of global experience.
Make it Molok®.
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