Side Loader Refuse Trucks Market

Side Loader Refuse Trucks Market Size

The global side loader refuse trucks market size was valued at USD 2.9 billion in 2024 and is estimated to register a CAGR of 5.1% between 2025 and 2034. As urban areas develop and become increasingly populated, the demand for side loader refuse trucks has grown significantly. The U.S. Census Bureau revealed that the world population observed a growth of 71 million people in 2024. This rise in population has expected the total global population to reach 8.09 billion in January 2025.

Also, the overall population growth rate between 2023 and 2204 was estimated to be 0.9%, indicating a slight decrease in the growth rate compared to the previous year. Furthermore, it is estimated that in the past few decades, the number of people living in urban locations has increased significantly. Currently, major cities around the globe house more than half of the total population, with the number exceeding 3.5 billion.

The increase in population shifts to urban areas leads to an increase in the amount of waste produced, which in turn leads to the demand for better waste collection mechanisms. Side loader trucks are best suited for these environments as they can travel through tight alleys and busy streets where other refuse trucks may have difficulties operating. In addition, urban areas tend to employ waste collection uniformity, like standardized bin dimensions, which work well with side automated loaders. The rapid growth of cities increases the demand for cleaner, faster, and efficient waste management systems, thus increasing the need for side loader refuse trucks.

Another reason for the increase in demand for side loader refuse trucks is the regulatory push for clean and efficient waste collection. Governments all over the world are now dealing with enhanced environmental and safety standards. Regulations aimed at reducing the emission levels as well as improving the overall air quality are directly driving investment towards cleaner technologies by municipalities and waste management companies, such as electric and hybrid side loader trucks. These vehicles improve operational efficiency while reducing fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.

Side Loader Refuse Trucks Market Trends

• The implementation of automated side loaders is observing a rising trend in municipalities and waste management corporations. One of the reasons for it is to lower the workforce expenses and improve productivity. The integration of advanced technologies such as telematics and IoT is being adopted in these trucks, that provide real-time monitoring, routing, and predictive maintenance, further enhancing efficacy and diminishing operational delays.
  
• The rising trends towards adoption of electric and hybrid side loader trucks is supported by strict environmental regulations and the need for zero-emissions vehicles. These vehicles have a reduced carbon footprint and meet stringent emissions standards which is critical for cities wanting to enhance air quality and meet the sustainability goals.
  
• Madison, Wisconsin in September 2024, became the first community in the region, who adopted fully electric garbage trucks, which market a significant milestone in municipal fleet electrification and sustainability efforts. Madison, on September 17, 2024, added two Mack LR Electric Class 8 refuse trucks to its fleet, one with a Leach rear-loader and the other with a Labrie automated side loader.
  
• Municipalities are now adopting environmentally friendly waste management techniques, such as utilizing side loader trucks, which are equipped with compaction technologies. This helps reduce trips and fuel consumption. This is contributing to the achievement of local eco compliance and meeting wider international sustainability efforts.
  
• Due to outdated waste management fleets, numerous municipalities and private corporations are replacing their aging vehicles with more modern ones, specifically the low emission automated side loader models that are more fuel efficient, cost less to maintain, and improve driver safety. Compliance with stringent environmental policies also drives fleet owners to adapt to new automated, low emission solutions.
  

Trump Administration Tariff

• The introduction of tariffs on imports from Canada, Mexico, and China has increased the cost of raw materials and parts for vehicles. For example, the metal tariffs have increased the cost of producing trucks, which likely will increase the price of a new heavy-duty truck. This increase in price makes it more difficult for municipalities and waste management companies to afford new side loader refuse trucks, particularly for small carriers with tight budgets.
  
• The trade war has caused broader economic uncertainties which slows capital spending by municipalities and private waste management companies. With the looming potential of an economic recession, there is reduced spending on new capital, such as side loader refuse trucks. This slow response to upgraded capital can hinder the adoption of newer technologies in waste collection.
  
• In addition, the tariffs imposed have also disrupted supply chains, resulting in unavailability of significant components needed for truck manufacturing. As a result, these delays and setbacks in acquiring parts could significantly increase the time needed to obtain new side loader refuse trucks. This would ultimately affect plans for renewing the fleet of vehicles, making them delay the adoption of efficient waste collection solutions.
  

Side Loader Refuse Trucks Market Analysis

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Based on application, the side loader refuse trucks market is segmented into municipal waste collection, industrial waste collection, commercial waste collection, and construction and demolition waste. In 2024, the municipal waste collection segment was valued at around USD 1 billion and held a market share of over 45%.

• In urban environments, especially areas with high population density, waste collection services generate a lot of waste themselves. As per UNEP, the generation of municipal solid waste is estimated to increase significantly from 2.1 billion metric tons in the year 2023 to approximately 3.5 billion metric tons by 2050. In addition to that, in 2020, the global gross expenditure on waste management was estimated to be around 252 billion USD.
  
• Side loaders are ideal for servicing populated city areas as collection is done in the limited space available, thus streamlining the waste management process for municipalities.
  
• The automated side loader trucks help municipalities in collecting municipal waste with fewer operators and lower the expenses associated with labor. The automated collection features of these trucks improve productivity as a result of their inability to require constant supervision due to the manual work which needs to be done, something that makes government services easier given their focus on cost management.
  
• Municipal authorities also preferring to adopt new waste management technologies, as they are supported by government budgets and grants. Side loaders, like other automated technologies, are increasingly adopted due to government policies aimed at improving environmental and waste management standards. More local governments are switching to side loaders due to cleaner technology and automation that complies with sustainability mandates.

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Based on the loading mechanism, the side loader refuse trucks market is segmented as fully automated, semi-automated, and manual. The fully automated segment dominated in 2024 with a market share of around 43%.

• Fully automated side loader trucks can be operated with one driver, as all the activities such as loading, lifting, and emptying of bins are automated. This is favorable to municipalities and waste management companies that seek to reduce labor costs, as well as streamline their workforce and operational expenses.
  
• The implementation of automation technology in side loader trucks help improve their efficiency by speeding up and increasing the accuracy of waste collection. Their automation capabilities help the trucks to function on a continuous basis with very little downtime. This improves productivity, reduces manual waste handling, and results in faster turnaround time while minimizing operational delays.
  
• With improvements in robotics and AI, fully automated trucks have become more reliable. As the metropolitan areas grow and develop, there is a growing demand for fully automated side loader trucks as the ongoing innovations aimed at improving efficiency, sustainability, and safety of garbage collection make them an attractive choice for buyers.
  

Based on type, the side loader refuse trucks market is segmented as diesel, electric, CNG, hybrid, and others. The diesel segment led the market in 2024.

• While there are emerging alternative fuels in the market, diesel continues to be the most economical option for long-distance travel associated with waste management. Side loader trucks that operate on diesel are more durable and require less maintenance afterwards, unlike other fueling systems which would incur high long-term costs.
  
• The government and private waste management firms can easily operate a fleet of diesel-powered side loader trucks because diesel fuel is easily accessible and the infrastructure to refuel these trucks is well established worldwide, ensuring low operational costs and reduced logistical bottlenecks.
  
• The side loader trucks operated with diesel fuel are cheaper to acquire than electric, hybrids or even those powered with CNG. With the steadily growing demand for waste collection and proven dependability of these vehicles, many municipalities and private waste operators continue investing in these diesel trucks.
  

Based on end use, the side loader refuse trucks market is segmented as municipal services, private waste management companies, specialized waste handlers, and others. The municipal services segment led the market in 2024.

• The municipal corporations are entrusted with the responsibility of collecting waste from densely populated urban areas. The side loader trucks help in these cases due to their ability to go thorough narrow and densely populated streets. Thus, the need for these services in city areas makes municipalities one of the major users of these trucks.
  
• The municipal corporations are supported by government grants and subsidized rates, which makes it easier for them to acquire this automated equipment. This helps them invest in cost effective, reliable, and upgraded solutions that help them meet their set goals of maintaining cleanliness.

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North America dominates the global side loader refuse trucks market with a major share of over 35% and the U.S. led the market in the region and was valued at around USD 541.2 million in 2024.

• The U.S. has a high urban population, and cities produce a considerable amount of garbage. Statista stated that in 2023, 278.98 million people in the U.S. were reported to be staying in urban areas compared to 55.94 million people in rural areas. For municipalities, side loader refuse trucks make an excellent choice in managing waste services because of their efficiency when navigating narrow streets and high-density housing areas. These trucks are favoured by municipalities throughout the country.
  
• The U.S. is a leader in advanced waste management technologies. Various steps are being taken towards fleet modernization and the incorporation of automated systems. Many state regulations demand unnecessary automation, thus, there is a strong need for side loader trucks designed to reduce labour costs and enhance efficiency.
  
• Electric side loader trucks are being adopted by private and municipal waste management firms due to their low emissions and compliance with strict regulations. These trucks help in achieving the set emissions aims while facilitating the transition toward greener waste collection and disposal methods.
  
• The U.S. market offers a variety of automated waste collection systems integrated with electronic side loader trucks that boost efficiency and streamline operations. The low operational costs and needs of municipalities place these trucks in high demand within the market.
  

The growth forecast for the side loader refuse trucks market in Germany from 2025 to 2034 is highly encouraging.

• Germany maintains strict policies towards environmental conservation and sustainable development which encourages the adoption of new waste management technologies. The country’s emission and waste collection improvement goals are developed to meet the need for automated low emission side loader trucks that fulfill the requirements of emissions regulations.
  
• Germany has implemented and is known for its developed and advanced waste management systems with advanced recycling and waste sorting capabilities. Automated side loader trucks form the backbone of this waste management system for collection and sorting of waste in crowded metropolitan areas.
  

China is expected to show remarkable and promising development in the side loader refuse trucks market from 2025-2034.

• China’s increasing economic development and population growth have led to an increase in urbanization, leading to a significant rise in waste generation within its cities. Densely populated metropolitan regions with narrow roadways and complicated waste collection systems necessitate the use of side loader refuse trucks, which helps in efficiently consolidating waste.
  
• This country is increasingly investing in integrating new and advanced technologies into their waste management systems to address the urban waste issues. In line with these efforts, China is working on integrating side loader trucks into waste collection systems to increase productivity, decrease reliance on personnel, and improve ecological practices within the country.
  
• China is actively working to upgrade its waste management systems to keep pace with the growing challenges that are created due to growing urbanization. As per Statista, China’s investment on industrial solid waste treatment was approximately USD 108 million in 2021. This development includes the incorporation of side loader trucks into the waste collection systems for better performance, reduction of costs, and increased sustainable operations in metropolitan areas.
  

The side loader refuse trucks market in Mexico is expected to experience significant and promising growth from 2025 to 2034.

• Mexico gains from its strong trade relations with the U.S., including access to North American manufacturers and suppliers of waste collection vehicles and parts. This integration reduces the import expenditure of certain components and encourages the adoption and maintenance of side loader trucks within the country.
  
• Semi-automated side loader trucks provide operational efficiency along with cost efficiency, optimizing the financial restrictions many Mexican municipalities have. Their improved functioning as well as reduced labor costs is beneficial for public and private waste collection agencies.
  

Side Loader Refuse Trucks Market Share

Top 7 companies leading the side loader refuse trucks industry in 2024 were McNeilus Truck, Mack Trucks Inc., Peterbilt, Heil, Autocar LLC, Labrie Trucks, and Dennis Eagle Ltd. Together, they held around 35% of the market share.

• McNeilus ranks as one of the leading manufacturers in the U.S., is well-recognized for the variety of refuse trucks they offer, including advanced automated side loaders. Municipal and private waste fleets prefer the company products due to its customization options and smart technology integrations such as telematics and route optimization.
  
• Peterbilt is one of the significant players in North America, offering premium truck chassis for various refuse body configurations, including side loaders. Their long-standing reputation for dependability, fuel efficiency, and customization makes them a preferred brand among waste haulers with an aim for enduring performance and a minimized total cost of ownership.
  
• Heil is a premium manufacturer of refuse truck bodies and specializes in fully automated side loaders. The company maintains its competitive edge by being amongst the initial adopters of lightweight arms and advanced body fleet management software, with wide acceptance by municipalities and private operators.
  
• Autocar manufactures refuse application-specific trucks, with a major focus on side loader refuse trucks. Autocar trucks are known for their durability and operator-centric design and are used in both the private and public waste management fleets throughout the U.S.
  
• Mack is known for manufacturing refuse collection vehicles that extensively use reliable, sturdy truck chassis. The company's partnership with truck builders, and their aim of expanding range of electric and CNG-compatible side loader models, enhance Mack's popularity as a supplier for fleets shifting towards cleaner, more efficient technologies.
  

Side Loader Refuse Trucks Market Companies

Major players operating in the side loader refuse trucks industry include:

• Amrep
• Autocar
• Bridgeport Manufacturing
• Dennis Eagle
• Heil
• Labrie Trucks
• Mack Trucks
• McNeilus Truck
• New Way Refuse Trucks
• Peterbilt

• There is growing competition among OEMs related to sustainability with the development of models powered by electric and CNG to comply with emission requirements. Businesses capable of providing trucks with low-emission or zero-emissions are benefiting the most, especially those in North America and Europe where green procurement policies have stringent requirements.
  
• Producers are competing on the basis of innovation by offering features such as automated arms, electric drivetrains, and smart diagnostics. Differentiating products on the basis of fuel consumption, maintenance requirements, and safety features is acting as an important factor for competition in public and private tenders.
  

Side Loader Refuse Trucks Industry News

• In January 2025, Amrep announced a new official dealer partnership with MTech, effective on January 15, 2025. With this agreement, MTech located in Cleveland, Ohio, will cover the Amrep front-end loaders, automated side loaders, and rear-loader refuse truck products for the entire Ohio, Michigan and Western Pennsylvania region. The goal is to increase Amrep’s foothold in the Midwest where municipalities, private haulers, and contractors can readily access Amrep’s refuse collection vehicles.
  
• In May 2024, North American’s first hydrogen fuel cell refuse truck was introduced to public by Hyzon and New Way during Waste Expo in Las Vegas in May 2024. This Class 8 fuel cell power electric refuse collection vehicle utilizes Hyzon’s leading hydrogen fuel cell technology alongside New Way’s popular and rugged automated side loader, the Sidewinder XTR. The truck can travel over 125 miles and up to 1,200 cart lifts per route, easily meeting the waste collection operational requirements while emitting no harmful gases.
  
• Battle Motors launched its battery-electric refuse truck in California, specifically the three-axle LET2 (Low Entry Tilt 2) with Heil Rapid Rail automated side loader, in September 2023. This Class 8 electric truck is capable of a legal payload capacity of 8.67 tons, permitting waste collection trips to be reduced as well as associated road traffic emissions. It operates quite silently, leading to lesser noise pollution in the surrounding residential areas.
  
• Heil introduced the RevAMP electric automated side loader (eASL) in October 2022, a fully electric garbage truck body aimed at improving efficiency and sustainability in refuse collection. The RevAMP eASL doesn't need an electric power take-off (ePTO), nor does it require hydraulics while on route because it is fully independent of external power sources. This allows for mounting on either electric vehicles (EVs) or diesel chassis, providing up to 38% fuel savings on diesel chassis while maximizing range on EV chassis.
  

The side loader refuse trucks market research report includes in-depth coverage of the industry with estimates & forecast in terms of revenue ($Bn) and shipments (units) from 2021 to 2034, for the following segments:

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Market, By Loading Mechanism

• Multi-stage reducers
• Fully automated
• Semi-automated
• Manual

Market, By Capacity

• Less than 10,000 lbs
• 10,000 to 20,000 lbs
• 20,000 to 30,000 lbs
• More than 30,000 lbs

Market, By Fuel

• Diesel
• Electric
• CNG
• Hybrid
• Others

Market, By Application

• Municipal waste collection
• Industrial waste collection
• Commercial waste collection
• Construction and demolition waste  

Market, By End Use

• Municipal services
• Private waste management companies
• Specialized waste handlers
• Others

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

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