Dive summary:

• As Casella Waste Systems Inc. tries to return to profitability, they are restructuring the power dynamics of their management team.
• The idea came from the new Chief Operating Officer, Edwin D. Johnson, to let local managers to have more decision-making power to specialize the areas waste collection process to fit what that area specifically needs.
• This process will also allow Casella to cut back on employees and further push profits.

From the article:

"I'm a strong believer that the waste business is a local market business, at least on the collection side. Each market has a unique customer base with unique needs. The local political and business environments are unique, and efficient collection operations require in-depth local logistical knowledge," Johnson said.

While the company is pushing decision-making and responsibility back to the local level, it also is holding local managers accountable for their decisions.

"We are replacing the one-size-fits-all approach with a local market-centric approach," the COO said. ...