Every bin cleaning trailer has to capture its dirty water, so the real choice is what happens next. A collection-tank setup holds the water until you dump it at an approved point, which costs less up front. Onboard recovery and recycling filters the water and reuses it, which costs more but cuts fill-ups and dump trips on busy routes.
Why does a bin cleaning trailer need water capture at all?
Trash can wash water carries food waste, grease and bacteria, and cities in California and Texas generally don't allow it into the street or storm drain. Our sister site covers those rules in Trash Can and Dumpster Wash Water Rules: What Cities Require, and Mobile Washing and the Clean Water Act explains the federal background. This guide assumes you need capture and helps you choose the setup.
What are the two ways to handle bin wash water?
Option 1: Collection tank. The washer and bin cleaning head do the work, a recovery vacuum pulls water off the wash area, and the water goes into a holding tank. When it's full, you dispose of it at an approved sewer connection or through a hauler.
Option 2: Onboard recovery and recycling. Same capture, but the recovered water runs through oil and solids separation and filtration, then feeds back to the pressure washer. You still dispose of what the system separates out, but you carry less fresh water and make fewer dump stops.
| Collection tank | Recovery and recycling | |
|---|---|---|
| What happens to wash water | Held, then dumped | Filtered and reused |
| Up-front cost | Lower | Higher |
| Fresh water fill-ups | More often | Less often |
| Dump trips | More often | Less often |
| Daily upkeep | Empty and rinse tank | Clean separator, change filters |
| Power needed | Recovery vacuum engine | Vacuum plus generator for recycling pumps |
| Best for | Starting routes, easy dump access | Busy routes, limited water or dump access |
What does each setup cost?
These are listed starting prices on hotandmightydirect.com as of October 2026 for the main components. Final pricing for a complete, integrated trailer comes in a written quote.
| Component | Key specs | Listed starting price |
|---|---|---|
| HCA-2 Dual Trash Bin Cleaner | Cleans 1 or 2 bins per cycle, spinner and turbo nozzle per bin, for 8 or 10 GPM washers | $12,490 |
| Money Maker 3008 | 8 GPM at 3,000 PSI, dual axle steel trailer, dual operator | $28,995 |
| Money Maker 3010V | 10 GPM at 3,000 PSI, dual axle steel trailer, dual operator | $33,490 |
| 250 CFM Recovery Vacuum | Single user, 13 HP Honda, primary and secondary interceptor drums | $12,460 |
| 450 CFM Recovery Vacuum | Dual user, 23 HP Honda, 400 ft of 2" vac hose | $16,490 |
| WR2020 Recycling System | 20 GPM, 20 micron, oil harvester, multi-media filter | $12,810 ($14,660 with 6,000 W generator) |
| Oil / Water / Solids Separator | 150 gal aluminum sloping tank, coalescing grid pack | $8,490 |
Example build: collection tank
Money Maker 3008 + HCA-2 bin cleaner + 250 CFM recovery vacuum = $53,945 in listed starting prices for the main components. The holding tank, mounting and plumbing are sized to your route and included in the quote.
Example build: recovery and recycling
Money Maker 3010V + HCA-2 bin cleaner + 450 CFM recovery vacuum + WR2020 with generator = $77,130 in listed starting prices for the main components. The WR2020 includes its own oil harvester, so you don't need the separate separator.
The recycling build costs about $23,000 more on paper. Whether it pays back depends on how many bins you run, what water costs you and how far you drive to dump.
Which setup fits your route?
| If this sounds like you | Lean toward |
|---|---|
| New route still building its customer list | Collection tank |
| Approved dump point near your service area | Collection tank |
| Full days of back-to-back neighborhoods | Recovery and recycling |
| Water fill-ups are slow, costly or restricted | Recovery and recycling |
| Long drives to an approved dump point | Recovery and recycling |
| Planning to add dumpster pads or commercial work | Recovery and recycling, with the 450 CFM vacuum |
One practical path is to start with collection and plan the trailer so recycling can be added later. Our guide to adding wash water recovery to your existing pressure washer covers the add-on route, and Trash Bin Cleaning Equipment shows stationary and mobile bin systems.
What should you ask before you buy?
- What are the wash water rules in the cities you'll serve, and where can you legally dump?
- How many bins per day do you expect in year one and year two?
- Will you add dumpster pads, which need more flow, heat and vacuum?
- Do you want one operator or two working at once?
- Do you have a truck rated to tow the loaded trailer?
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a recovery vacuum with the bin cleaner?
If you need to capture runoff, yes. The bin cleaning head cleans the can; the recovery vacuum pulls the water off the wash area so it can go to a tank or recycling system.
Is the WR2020 a complete recycling system?
It's the filtration side. It needs a recovery vacuum to collect the water and a 6,000 W generator to run, which is why we list it with and without the generator.
Can I start with a collection tank and add recycling later?
Yes. Tell us that's the plan and we'll lay out the trailer with room and plumbing for the recycling system.
How long does a build take, and how does it ship?
We keep trailers and washers in stock for quicker builds, and every quote includes the build time. We deliver nationwide, or you can pick up at our shop and get free training.
Get a quote on your bin cleaning trailer
Tell us your route size and where you'll be washing, and we'll quote the setup that fits. Call 800-897-7515 or text us through the chat on this site.
