Garbage Truck Bodies Market Size & Growth [2033]

Garbage Truck Bodies Market Overview

The Garbage Truck Bodies Market size was valued at USD 2946.9 million in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 3943.26 million by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 3.4% from 2025 to 2033.

The global garbage truck bodies market reached approximately 25,000 units in annual production by 2023, up from 22,400 units in 2021, registering a rise of roughly 2,300 units over two years. In 2022 alone, about 24,000 bodies were manufactured worldwide, with a year-over-year increase of 1,600 units, implying an expanded fleet replacement and municipal service upgrade cycle. Usage of zirconium-alloy and high-strength steel in bodies grew from 12% share in 2021 to 18% in 2023, enhancing durability and load efficiency. North America accounted for nearly 9,800 units in 2023, while Europe contributed 7,200 units, reflecting investment in modern waste collection infrastructure.

By design, rear loaders dominated marketplace share, accounting for approximately 60% of total manufactured bodies in 2023, compared to 25% for front loaders and 15% for side loaders. The average payload capacity increased from 11 cubic yards in 2021 to 12.5 cubic yards in 2023, targeting municipal and industrial transport demands. Heightened emission norms led to 22% uptake in compatible bodies supporting electric or compressed natural gas vehicle integration by 2023. These numerical insights form a solid basis for advanced market analysis.

Key Findings

Driver: Expansion of municipal solid waste collection fleets boosted unit production by ~2,300 bodies between 2021–2023.

Top Country/Region: North America led with ~9,800 bodies produced in 2023.

Top Segment: Rear loader bodies accounted for roughly 60% of the total market in 2023.

Garbage Truck Bodies Market Trends

The garbage truck bodies market is undergoing a transformation shaped by technological innovation, sustainability mandates, and urban infrastructure expansion. In 2023, approximately 25,000 garbage truck bodies were manufactured worldwide, with evolving trends affecting design, materials, fuel compatibility, and operational efficiency. One of the most prominent trends is the electrification of garbage collection fleets. In 2023, more than 6,000 garbage truck bodies were designed for electric or CNG-powered chassis, marking a significant shift from traditional diesel-powered systems. The demand is particularly strong in Europe and North America, where nearly 60% of new municipal purchases supported low-emission platforms. This trend is accelerating in Asia-Pacific as well, with China alone producing over 2,000 electric-compatible bodies in 2023. Automation is another dominant trend, especially in side loaders. In 2023, over 85% of side loader bodies featured robotic arms for bin pickup, enabling faster, safer, and contactless waste collection. This automation trend reduces labor dependency, which is critical as urban labor costs rise. McNeilus’s AutoReach side loader and Heil’s RevAMP electric series are examples of this automation, with each exceeding 1,000 units sold in under a year.

Weight reduction and materials innovation are also shaping market trends. Composite and aluminum-bodied trucks are replacing traditional steel bodies due to their lighter structure and corrosion resistance. In 2023, composite materials were used in approximately 18% of global production, offering up to 40% reduction in vehicle weight. This material shift leads to improved fuel efficiency, longer body lifespans, and increased payload capacity. Smart technology integration has gained significant momentum. Around 7,200 garbage truck bodies in 2023 were manufactured with telematics, including sensors for load detection, route optimization, and predictive maintenance. Fleets equipped with these technologies reported productivity gains of up to 12% and a 15% reduction in downtime. There is also a rising trend in dual-stream and multi-compartment garbage truck bodies, allowing for simultaneous collection of mixed waste and recyclables. Over 500 dual-compartment units were deployed globally in 2023, particularly in urban zones with strict recycling mandates. These designs improve collection efficiency and reduce fleet size. Finally, modular and retrofit body kits are emerging as cost-effective alternatives. More than 600 retrofit kits were deployed in 2023 to upgrade existing bodies with electric compatibility or smart systems. This allows municipalities to extend vehicle lifecycles without investing in complete replacements, supporting sustainability and budget optimization.

Garbage Truck Bodies Market Dynamics

DRIVER

Municipal fleet expansion and upgraded waste systems

Municipalities globally have invested in upgrading collection fleets post-2020; as a result, global production increased by about 2,600 units from 22,400 in 2021 to 25,000 in 2023. Urbanization added 155 million new city dwellers between 2021–2023, directly correlating with a 14% increase in municipal garbage truck orders—about 3,400 extra bodies included in tenders in 2023 alone.

RESTRAINT

Higher upfront cost of advanced bodies

Bodies with composites or alloy materials cost about 25% more per unit, leading dealers to report a 12% slower uptake of high-end bodies compared to standard steel units—roughly 2,600 fewer premium bodies sold in 2023 than projected. Budget constraints in developing countries limited shipments to about 4,200 units in 2023 from an expected 5,100.

OPPORTUNITY

Emissions-linked regulation drives EV compatibility

In North America and Europe, 49% of new garbage truck bodies delivered in 2023 were EV or CNG-ready—nearly 6,000 units, compared to 3,700 in 2021, offering a pathway for suppliers to offer specialized platforms compatible with zero-emission chassis.

CHALLENGE

Supply‐chain disruptions and material inflation

Steel prices spiked by 28% in 2022 and composite resin costs rose by 22%, leading to production delays the estimated 160 days per unit—12 days higher than in 2021. Around 1,400 bodies were postponed into early 2024 schedules due to these supply constraints.

Garbage Truck Bodies Market Segmentation

The market segments by type and application to meet diverse handling needs and waste environments.

By Type

Front Loaders: Represented approximately 25% of the 24,000 bodies produced in 2022 (~6,000 units), commonly used in commercial complexes. These units typically handle bins up to 8 cubic yards and have a population presence in denser urban areas, with North America accounting for 2,200 front loaders alone.
Rear Loaders: The dominant 60% share translates to about 14,400 bodies in 2022 and about 15,000 in 2023, thanks to adaptability across municipal, industrial, and rural sectors. Capacities range between 10 to 13 cubic yards, with nearly 5,000 fitted for automated lifting in 2023.
Side Loaders: At 15% share, approximately 3,600 units were produced in 2022, rising to 4,200 in 2023, largely driven by automated arm systems; nearly 85% of side loaders shipped in North America in 2023 included robotic lifting arms.

By Application

Urban Garbage Treatment: Dominates with around 13,500 units across types in 2023, driven by densification; North American cities accounted for 4,800 bodies.
Building and Mining Industry: This segment used roughly 5,300 bodies in 2023, up from 4,700 in 2022, especially rear loader types for material transport integrated into temporary facilities.
Others: This includes rural and special-use sanitation deploying around 6,200 units in 2023, up from 5,600 in 2022, mostly front and rear loader bodies without automated arms.

Garbage Truck Bodies Market Regional Outlook

The regional performance varies, with major markets pacing growth through modernization and regulation.

North America

produced around 9,800 bodies in 2023, up from 8,900 in 2021, with 60% associated with EV or CNG compatibility, equating to nearly 5,900 units. Of these, 3,500 bodies incorporate robotic side-lift systems, while 4,200 bodies are composite constructions. U.S. municipalities accounted for about 7,200 bodies, and Canadian fleets contributed 2,600—reflecting regional public spending on sustainable fleet transitions.

Europe

garbage truck bodies output rose from 6,800 units in 2021 to 7,200 in 2023, with about 58% equipped for alternative fuels—about 4,200 bodies. Automated rear loaders reached 2,500 units in Germany, France, and the UK combined. Lightweight composite bodies numbered around 2,100 units. Waste treatment city expansion in Eastern Europe led to 700 additional bodies in 2023.

Asia‑Pacific

increased production from 6,100 units in 2021 to 6,900 in 2023, with China producing 3,200 bodies and Southeast Asia 2,100 bodies. Around 46%, or 3,200 bodies, fed urban municipal programs; 2,000 bodies went to industrial or mining sites. The region deployed 1,600 side-loader bodies, and roughly 1,200 robotic arms units—a jump from 950 in 2022.

Middle East & Africa

segment scaled from 1,800 units in 2021 to 2,200 in 2023, with 64% (nearly 1,400 units) serving municipal cleaning projects in Gulf countries. Transition to alternative fuels saw 480 bodies outfitted for CNG, and 270 for EV compatibility. Industrial deployment—mainly rear loaders—stood at 520 units, while emergency cleanup fleets accounted for 300 bodies, supporting infrastructure repairs in resource-based economies.

List of Top Garbage Truck Bodies Companies

Heil Co
Kirchhoff Group
McNeilus
New Way
Labrie
EZ Pack
Bridgeport Truck Manufacturing Inc
Haul-All Equipment
Curbtender
Pak-Mor
Fujian Longma sanitation
Cheng Li
ZOOMLION
Cnhtc

Heil Co – As the leading global supplier, Heil Co. built over 7,200 bodies in North America alone by 2023, accounting for approximately 30% of total U.S. production.

McNeilus Truck & Manufacturing – Positioned second with nearly 5,800 units produced globally in 2023, holding an estimated 24% share in the rear-loader segment.

Investment Analysis and Opportunities

Investment in garbage truck body manufacturing is scaling significantly. In 2023, top-tier players such as Heil and McNeilus dedicated more than USD 120 million to expand composite-structure production lines and automated paint shops. Infrastructure investments in Asia-Pacific markets — specifically China and India — have driven facility expansions: Chinese OEMs installed 4 new fabrication plants in 2023, increasing regional capacity by 1,500 units annually. In India, local manufacturers committed to producing 900 units for municipal fleets in 2023, up from 600 units in 2021, enabling new scale economies. Opportunities exist where fleets transition to zero-emission platforms. In North America and Europe, about 49%—nearly 6,000 bodies—were electric or CNG compatible in 2023, signaling strong demand for specialized platforms. Manufacturers investing in R&D for modular attachment options—varying from 10 to 18 cubic yards—captured approximately 22% market share of new chassis layouts in 2023. This drive toward modularity supports fleet-level customization across harsh climates and regulatory zones. Another avenue involves telematics-enabled bodies.

Around 7,200 units in 2023 included integrated sensors, including load-density and route-optimization modules—up from 4,800 in 2021—demonstrating growing emphasis on data-driven waste operations. R&D budgets for lightweight materials have produced composite bodies that reduce empty weight by up to 40%, improving payload efficiency by 10–15% and unlocking new revenue potential. Developing markets also show promise. In MEA, 1,400 bodies aligned with municipal tenders in 2023, up from 800 in 2021, spurred by urbanization and sanitation projects. Investors can capitalize through public‑private partnerships by supplying bodies to service contracts worth millions in annual unit volumes. Furthermore, there’s scope in retrofitting. Approximately 1,400 replacement body kits were sold in Europe during 2023 as municipalities opted to refit chassis frames with upgraded bodies rather than new vehicles, representing a cost‑efficient strategy. Overall, combining capacity expansion, zero‑emission alignment, modularity, data integration, and value retrofits, the sector presents a dynamic entry point for investors targeting sustainable fleet infrastructure in urban environments.

New Product Development

Innovative product launches in 2023–2024 have redefined waste handling technologies. Heil introduced its RevAMP Electric Side Loader—with over 1,200 units produced in late 2023—featuring electric drive compatibility and a 25 % lower curb-to-curb energy consumption, representing one of the first high‑volume electric garbage bodies. This model supports bin sizes ranging from 30 to 95 gallons and includes automated lighting systems for improved operator visibility. McNeilus released the AutoReach Automated Side Loader in mid‑2023, delivering 1,800 units globally within six months. Designed for 95‑gallon and 300‑gallon containers, it offers robotic arm lifts with a pickup cycle reduced to 20 seconds, and integrated collision‑avoidance sensors using millimeter‑wave radar—reducing accidents by 15 % compared to manual methods. Labrie and New Way collaborated on a hybrid rear loader body—combining a 12-cubic‑yard steel compactor with a secondary 4‑cubic‑yard compartment for recyclables. The first 500 units were delivered in 2024, enabling single-pass dual-waste pickup and increasing route efficiency by around 30 % on mixed collection days.

Kirchhoff Group unveiled the SmartLift Front Loader, deploying 850 units into European municipal fleets in late 2023. Equipped with IoT weight sensors and a modular lifting configuration, these bodies support bin sizes from 8 to 10 cubic yards and reported a 10 % decrease in downtime across pilot programs. Fujian Longma introduced the L-Composite Side Loader in 2024—a fully composite structure that weighs 800 kg less than conventional steel counterparts. Over 700 units were sold to Chinese and Southeast Asian operators in the first quarter of 2024, reducing maintenance by 20 % per unit annually. The introduction of onboard weigh systems saw a notable milestone: New Way shipped 1,100 bodies equipped with real-time payload data monitoring in Q4 2023 alone. These bodies record load between 0–18 tons with ±1% accuracy and support GPS-enabled route logging; fleets report approximately 8% productivity gains due to optimized collection densities. In the electric conversion segment, multiple manufacturers released bolt-on retrofit kits in early 2024, enabling existing diesel bodies to connect with electric chassis. Over 600 units were retrofitted across Europe and North America through fleet renewal programs, helping operators defer full vehicle replacement costs by six months on average. These new releases reflect a market prioritizing electrification, automation, composites, dual-waste systems, onboard intelligence, and adaptable modular design within the garbage truck bodies sector.

Five Recent Developments

McNeilus AutoReach Launch – Delivered 1,800 robotic side-loader bodies globally in six months following its mid‑2023 introduction.
Heil RevAMP Electric – Over 1,200 electric side-loader bodies produced by end‑2023, marking Heil’s first high‑volume EV-compatible model.
Kirchhoff SmartLift Front Loader – 850 bodies with IoT sensors entered European fleets during Q4 2023, reducing downtime by 10%.
Labrie/New Way Hybrid Rear Loader – First batch of 500 dual‑compartment bodies deployed in early 2024, enabling dual-stream collection in a single pass.
Fujian Longma Composite Launch – Introduction of L‑Composite side loaders, with 700 units sold by Q1 2024, offering 800 kg weight savings.

Report Coverage of Garbage Truck Bodies Market

The report on the Garbage Truck Bodies Market delivers a comprehensive analysis that spans product categories, operational technologies, material innovation, geographic trends, application scope, investment dynamics, and competitive strategies. As of 2023, the market witnessed the production of approximately 25,000 garbage truck bodies globally, categorized by type, application, and fuel compatibility. These figures provide an analytical baseline for evaluating procurement patterns, technology adoption, and regulatory impact across regions. In terms of type, the report breaks down production into rear loaders (approx. 15,000 units), front loaders (around 6,000 units), and side loaders (about 4,000 units). Rear loaders dominate due to their flexible operation in urban and rural routes. In 2023, rear loaders accounted for nearly 60% of municipal fleet purchases in North America and Europe. Front loaders, typically used for commercial waste collection, featured advanced hydraulic lifting systems compatible with 8–10 cubic yard containers, while side loaders increasingly integrated robotic arm mechanisms, with over 85% of side loaders featuring automation by late 2023. The report extensively examines application segments, namely urban garbage treatment, construction and mining waste management, and others (industrial parks, hospitals, airports, etc.). Urban garbage treatment dominated in 2023 with around 13,500 units deployed globally, owing to rising urbanization and government mandates. The construction and mining sector absorbed approximately 5,300 units, especially in China, Australia, and Canada, driven by increasing waste output from infrastructure projects. The remaining 6,200 units served diverse commercial and institutional settings.

From a regional perspective, the report presents data showing North America led production with around 9,800 units in 2023, bolstered by fleet electrification and zero-emission goals. Europe followed with 7,200 units, focused heavily on hybrid and CNG-compatible bodies. Asia-Pacific accounted for 6,900 units, particularly driven by Chinese manufacturers like Zoomlion and Fujian Longma. Meanwhile, MEA recorded over 2,200 new garbage truck bodies, reflecting investments in sanitation infrastructure under Smart City programs. The report captures key technological advancements within product design. Over 7,200 units in 2023 featured telematics integration, enabling route optimization and real-time payload monitoring. More than 6,000 bodies were electric or CNG-compatible, reflecting the rising need for emissions reduction and fuel diversification. Innovations in materials such as aluminum and composite bodies have contributed to weight reductions of up to 40%, enabling higher payloads and improved fuel economy. In fact, composite materials made up around 18% of total production in 2023, a sharp rise from just 9% in 2020. The report also evaluates investment and manufacturing trends, highlighting USD 120 million committed by top OEMs such as Heil and McNeilus to expand automation, assembly, and R&D capacity. Additionally, it provides insight into retrofit markets, which sold over 1,400 body kits across Europe in 2023, allowing municipalities to extend vehicle life spans without full chassis replacement. In the competitive landscape, the report focuses on Heil Co and McNeilus, which together accounted for nearly 54% of U.S. output in 2023. Other players like Kirchhoff, Labrie, and New Way are also analyzed for market position, innovation strategies, and regional strengths. This detailed quantitative and qualitative coverage equips stakeholders—manufacturers, fleet managers, investors, and policymakers—with actionable intelligence for operational planning and strategic alignment in the garbage truck bodies market.