Wasteater Spotting guide
Scientific name: Biffa Recyclers Commonly known as: Wasteaters Truck family: Rear end loaders Native to: The UK |
Key information
Wasteaters are large, red backed trucks with an elongated head and short but powerful rear, designed to propel the Wasteater’s towards its food. The Wasteater is multi-directional, whilst hunting for waste, it might appear to be moving backwards with its powerful cab pulling its body and head along. When prey has been spotted, the cab is kicked into reverse pushing the body slowly towards waste filled bins.
Defining attributes
• Large bodies
• Scales / fur / horns
• Large white teeth
• Bulging round eyes
• Bright red!
• Made from 95% recycled materials
What the Wasteaters eat
If you’ve ever witnesses a Wasteater feeding it may seem like they’re devouring rubbish bins but in fact it’s what’s inside the bins that the Wasteater’s want. Using powerful mechanics to lift rubbish bins, some of which can weigh up to 125kg, Wasteater’s tip the rubbish bin at a 135 degree angle allowing its contents to fall into the Wasteater’s completely hollow body. Different bins will hold different food for the Wasteaters, some have a mixture of plastic, paper, metal, and glass while others will have only food and some will have a bit of everything but it doesn’t matter to the Wasteaters, they’ll eat everything!
Measurements Length: 9 metres Height: 4 metres Lifting capabilities: 1,100 litres of waste at a time. Weight: 26,000kg |
Population There are just seven species of Wasteaters – they’re truly unique creatures. |
When and where to spot a Wasteater
Wasteater’s can be seen throughout the year but refrain from going out in the later afternoon when there is lots of traffic and people, as they’re quite shy really. If you’d like to spot a Wasteater, they can be found roaming around cities and towns in the early hours of the morning way before shops open. Wasteater’s love starting their day in cities because there is lots of bins around, filled with a variety of waste for the always hungry trucks. After getting their fill in the city, Wasteater’s will retreat to the countryside for casual snacking throughout the day before they retreat back to their depot homes, joining their waste collecting cousins.
Map of Wasteater locations