A growing number of imitators are copying the Molok® Deep Collection™ system — here’s why there’s no substitute for the real thing

The Molok® Deep Collection™ system — pioneered by entrepreneur and inventor Veikko Salli debuted in Finland in 1991. Since then, Molok® containers have been chosen by governments, business owners, property managers, architects, developers, and environmental groups in 45+ countries to lower waste management costs, reclaim valuable real estate, beautify landscapes, and increase diversion rates.

Established in 1999, and headquartered in Mount Forest, Ontario, Molok® North America (you can read our origin story here) is driving the waste management industry forward with a commitment to product quality, customer service, and relationships built on earned trust.

Our efforts have literally transformed waste containment and collection in North America:

• • More than 16,000 Molok® containers have been ‘planted’ across the continent — with more than 99% still in operation!

• • Crane-lifted collection is available and competitively priced in practically every municipality with a population greater than 50,000

• • Recognizing the changing market, a growing number of companies are attempting to copy elements of the Deep Collection™ system

While the imitation validates our leadership and signals that the wider industry is gradually moving on from legacy approaches to waste containment and collection, it has also muddied the waters for property developers, facility managers, and other buyers seeking a waste solution.

Make no mistake: waste containment and management is a decision that you want to get right — in this post, we’ll run through some of the things that make a Molok a Molok, and why caveat emptor (i.e., buyer beware) applies to copycats.

The Molok® North America team celebrated the company’s 25th anniversary this past summer at the company headquarters and manufacturing facility in Mount Forest, Ontario.

 

What makes a Molok unique?

As a quick recap, the Molok® Deep Collection™ system is a visually attractive line of multi-purpose, multi-facility waste containers that are cleaner, safer, and more cost effective than legacy alternatives, while requiring a fraction of the real estate to store and service

 

What can go wrong?

The points above apply to any waste containers, but now let’s look specifically at alternatives that have introduced semi-underground storage elements. Broadly, there are two classes of imitator that fall into this category:

• • Forklifted dumpster-style ‘boxes’ with a semi-underground ‘dimple’: This dimple increases storage capacity (and the potential for vertical compaction), but is mainly used to keep the container in place and to allow the vendor to check the box if they’re bidding on a project that calls for semi-underground storage

• • Forklifted vertical containers: These models emulate the basic shape of Molok containers, but are still emptied via forklifted inversion

• • Crane-lifted vertical containers: These models mimic Molok containers as much as possible (although many of our most important engineering and design elements are protected intellectual property)

Let’s now dive a little bit more deeply into some crucial considerations that apply when selecting a waste containment solution…

Forklifted collection always requires access laneways

Key takeaway: Any forklifted container — whether or not it has semi-underground storage — requires 10x the total surface area (real estate) of a Molok installation with equivalent waste storage capacity. 

Recognizing the advantages that come with semi-underground containment, several competitors have started adding underground storage to their above ground, forklifted containers.

However, because these containers are still emptied via a forklift, they still require the same long access laneways as before (typically ~100 feet of unobstructed access). Adopting such a container will provide an incremental increase to storage volume, but won’t do anything to address the huge area of wasted real estate that could be put to better use.

(Plus, as we’ll examine a little later, such containers also introduce safety risks and maintenance issues.)

In contrast, because Molok® containers are emptied by crane (or by hand or pump with certain models), there’s no need for long access laneways. The fact that a Deep Collection™ station requires very little surface area — typically only 10% of that needed by forklifted containers — is a huge benefit to property owners and developers, as well as to users and patrons, because you can say goodbye to wasted space and say hello to more parking, patios, and possibilities.

Component quality directly influences functional lifetime

Key takeaway: Most waste stations are expected to last for a decade or more, but this is only possible when quality materials and components — built for purpose — are used (and used correctly).

Waste stations are small-scale infrastructure projects, and infrastructure is supposed to last. In fact, most return-on-investment models for waste stations will assume a long functional lifetime for the containers.

But that’s only the case when the containers and their components are of a sufficient quality — something that’s especially important in North America, where many locations are subject to extremes of temperature and weather.

Manufactured in a custom-built facility at our headquarters, the durable main well of each Molok® container is made of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and is rotationally molded to ensure a seamless, leakproof, one-piece construction.

Likewise, ancillary components are engineered of proven materials including aluminum and stainless steel, and our lifting bags use a double-layer of woven polypropylene, to ensure a long functional lifetime.

Contrast with competitors who use lower-quality materials or repurposed components:

• • Cheaper materials simply can’t handle the forces to which they’re subjected over hundreds or thousands of lifting/emptying cycles

• • Cheaper metals will corrode and break down, creating ‘weak links’ in the overall container that not only tarnish the appearance, but introduce significant risks

• • Cobbling together pieces from other industries — e.g., concrete cylinders repurposed from construction — results in a “Frankenproduct” with countless deficiencies that will come to light over time

Plus, even when a quality material like HDPE is used, it needs to be used correctly. For example:

• • When the density of the plastic is too high, the well can become brittle in cold weather — causing cracks (and associated leaks) and potentially dangerous structural failure when subjected to the forces of lifting/emptying

• • When the density is too low, the plastic warps — again, compromising the structural integrity, functional lifetime, and safety of the container

Companies that are new to the game don’t have the domain experience to understand such nuances. They — and buyers who choose their solutions — will find out together that details matter.

Recall that in our 25 years of operation, more than 99% of the 16,000 containers provided by Molok® North America are still in use today. Such a track record is only possible thanks to our commitment to product engineering and quality assurance.

Safety should never be a secondary concern

Key takeaway: When it comes to waste management, there are many factors — far more than most people realize — that contribute to safety. No alternative matches Molok.

We cover safety in more detail in this post, but here are some examples of how Molok containers contribute to safe environments and operation:

• • Our products conform to the principles of Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED)

• • Molok® containers don’t have sharp points or edges 

• • Because Molok® containers naturally control odors and don’t leak, they don’t attract pests or wildlife (e.g., rodents, racoons, flies, scavenging birds, etc.) and the risks that come with them (e.g., bites, scratches, diseases, fleas, etc.)

• • Molok® lids are easy and accessible to use, but also safe and secure

• • Extensive testing has validated the fire and explosion resistance of Molok® containers

• • The crane-lifted emptying process doesn’t require the truck operator to touch any waste

• • During collection, the operator is outside of the truck and can keep a keen eye on the entire process, ensuring the safety of anyone in the general vicinity (including themselves)

• • During collection, the permanent above-ground portion of the Molok® unit serves as a barrier to prevent anyone or anything from entering the main well — this permanent barrier exceeds the safe railing height of 900mm as prescribed by the Ontario Building Code (and that’s not by accident or coincidence)

• • Molok® lifting liners are certified with a safe working load (SWL), tested according to ISO 21898-standard for flexible intermediate bulk containers — in fact, our bags are fail-tested to six times the certified load

Again, we can draw a contrast with imitators. For example:

• • Large and bulky containers create spaces for threats — namely, people and animals — to hide; this is one reason why many municipalities have requirements for fenced enclosures around waste stations (something that often is not applied to Molok containers)

• • The sharp points and edges on alternatives can cause scratches and cuts

• • Alternatives are prone to leaking (especially when the plastic cracks), attracting wildlife and associated risks

• • Dumpsters, especially, are notorious for fires and for the risks of people falling in and becoming trapped — adding a semi-underground portion only amplifies these risks

• • Because imitators lack the permanent framing (it’s not possible with a forklift-serviced design), the well remains completely open during collection — snow and ice buildup is the primary cause of the characteristic “winter rise” associated with semi-underground forklifted containers

• • Similarly, the open pit is a hazard for people and animals, creating considerable liability for facility owners and managers

Continued leadership and innovation

For 25 years, Molok North America has driven industry innovation.

When we introduced the Molok Deep Collection system, demand was strong, but haulers hesitated to support crane-lifted collections. Refusing to be deterred, Molok® took matters into its own hands.

In 2003, Mark Hillis, now Molok CEO, launched Deep Clean Waste Services to serve South-Western Ontario. With competitive pricing, adoption surged — catching the attention of Waste Management Inc., which acquired Deep Clean and expanded the service nationwide.

More recently, we’ve continued to invest in research and development, pairing a thoughtful and user-centric design philosophy with a commitment to quality:

• • A few years ago, we introduced TACtile™ Touchless Access Control accessory for hands-free use via a motion sensor

• • Following a three-year period of development and testing, we launched SMART™ — a solar powered, battery operated, all weather electronic tool used to intelligently manage access, use, and service of a Molok container

• • Continuing a pattern of evolution and refinement, we debuted composite framing, a long-lasting solution that gives customers even greater control over the look of their Molok units

Every single aspect of every single model within the Molok® Deep Collection™ lineup is the result of a careful, considered approach — all oriented around creating a better way to manage waste.