What do Americans call rubbish trucks?

Have you ever seen a big truck that picks up trash? In the USA, we call these trucks by special names. Let’s learn what Americans call the trucks that take away our trash!

The Main Names Americans Use

Americans use these names for the trucks that pick up trash:

• Garbage truck – This is the most common name in the USA
• Trash truck – Another very popular name in everyday talk
• Refuse truck – A more formal name used by city workers

Most people in the USA say “garbage truck” when they see the big truck that comes to pick up their trash bags and bins.

Different Names Around the World

Different countries call these trucks by different names:

Americans almost never say “rubbish truck.” That’s a term you might hear in other countries like the UK or Australia.

Types of Garbage Trucks in America

There are many kinds of garbage trucks that do different jobs:

1. Front Loader – These trucks pick up big bins from stores and schools
2. Rear Loader – These pick up bags and bins from behind the truck
3. Roll-Off Truck – These carry big containers from building sites
4. Automated Side Loader – These have robot arms that grab bins from the side

The Automated Side Loader trucks are getting more popular in neighborhoods because they need fewer workers to run them.

Big Differences Between American and British Terms

In America:

• We throw away garbage or trash
• We put it in a trash can or garbage bin
• It gets picked up by a garbage truck

In the UK:

• They throw away rubbish
• They put it in a rubbish bin or wheelie bin
• It gets picked up by a dustbin lorry or rubbish lorry

Americans also call big metal containers for building waste dumpsters, while British people call them skips.

Interesting Facts About American Garbage Trucks

Did you know:

• In Los Angeles, they use Peterbilt 520 Amrep garbage trucks
• A website called TrashTrucksOnline sells used garbage trucks for $85,000-$120,000
• More people are buying roll-off trucks now (up 22% in 2023)
• In the South, more people say “trash truck,” but in the Northeast, more say “garbage truck”

Parts of the USA and What They Say

Different parts of America use slightly different words:

• Northeast: More likely to say “garbage truck”
• South and Midwest: More likely to say “trash truck”
• West Coast: Uses both terms about equally

Types of Waste Collection in America

Americans sort their trash different ways:

1. Garbage – Wet waste from kitchens (food scraps)
2. Trash – Dry waste like paper, plastic, and boxes
3. Recycling – Items that can be made into new things
4. Yard waste – Leaves, grass, and branches

Each type might be picked up by a different truck type or on a different day.

How Garbage Trucks Work

Garbage trucks are very cool machines! They:

• Have a big space to hold lots of trash
• Use special arms or forks to lift heavy bins
• Have a crusher inside to squish the trash to make more room
• Can hold 12-14 tons of garbage before getting full

The newest electric garbage trucks are even better for the air because they don’t make smoke!

Buying or Finding Garbage Trucks

If you need to buy a garbage truck in America, you can:

• Look on TrashTrucksOnline which has many trucks for sale
• Find new or used trucks
• Rent trucks for short jobs
• Get parts to fix old trucks

Quiz Time!

• What do Americans most often call the trucks that pick up trash? (Answer: Garbage trucks)
• What do British people call these same trucks? (Answer: Dustbin lorries or Rubbish lorries)
• What truck has robot arms on the side? (Answer: Automated Side Loader)

In Simple Words

Americans call the big trucks that take away our trash garbage trucks or trash trucks. We don’t say “rubbish trucks” like people do in some other countries. These trucks help keep our streets clean by taking trash to special places where it can be buried or recycled.

Next time you see a garbage truck in your neighborhood, you’ll know exactly what to call it!