Some waste haulers supporting police as neighborhood watchdogs

Trash haulers are learning to identify and give detailed reports of suspicious activity they see along their routes.

By Arlene Karidis • March 15, 2016

UK struggles to deal with surge of people sleeping in waste bins

Biffa found 175 people sleeping in bins across the UK in the current financial year. In more than 40% of reported incidents, the person was first noticed after the tipping process started.

By Arlene Karidis • March 14, 2016

Miller Waste Systems driver fired for shoveling snow into truck to add weight

“We’ve been working with Miller for many years and never had an incident like this," said Halton Commissioner of Public Works Jim Harnum to The Star.

By Arlene Karidis • March 11, 2016

UPDATE: Orange County haulers could face fines of $5,000 per day for missed pickups

While many municipalities and companies are investing in automated collection services, Orange County is an example of how the system can cause problems.

By Arlene Karidis • March 11, 2016

Houston dumps Waste Management as recycling service provider

Waste Management's hometown had a hard time accepting the proposed six-year, $18 million contract for recycling.

By Kristin Musulin • March 10, 2016

Long Beach, CA delays $35M Waste Management contract, considers RFP audit

Some councilmembers want the audit, while opponents are concerned it could open a "Pandora's box."

By Arlene Karidis • March 10, 2016

Waste Pro to install high-tech camera systems in all trucks to address driver safety

The $3 million 3rd Eye System is designed to alert fleet drivers of potential dangers while on route, ultimately preventing accidents, bodily harm, and property damage.

By Arlene Karidis • March 10, 2016

Chicago aldermen push pay-as-you-throw fee to encourage recycling

The payment would be capped at the current $9.50 and revenue would be placed in a separate enterprise fund to ensure the plan remains economically feasible.

By Arlene Karidis • March 9, 2016

EREF study: West Coast reports highest average tipping fees; other regions vary radically

These fees can be steep and have their impact not only on the haulers, but on customers called on to help absorb costs.

By Arlene Karidis • March 9, 2016

Ontario announces support for Highway Traffic Act amendment to protect haulers

The proposed Private Member's Bill would mirror the protective regulations that were put forth by the "Slow Down to Get Around" law.

By Kristin Musulin • March 9, 2016

UPDATE: Miami officials release DriveCam footage of truck crashing through I-95 barrier

The driver is being cited for careless driving and failure to wear a seat belt. Officials say it is a "miracle" that nobody was hurt.

By Kristin Musulin • March 8, 2016

Ohio city investigates large-scale illegal tire dumping

The illegal dumping has exploded in Canton, OH, which some speculate may be tied to low sales from scrap metal, driving haulers to find alternative money-making ideas.

By Arlene Karidis • March 8, 2016

Gopher Leads to roll out mobile app designed to help haulers generate sales

Gopher Leads built itself on the idea that the whole team has lead insight that can benefit a company’s bottom line — including trash truck drivers and sales reps who know the territory.

By Arlene Karidis • March 7, 2016

Radiation-contaminated scrap metal transferred from Pennsylvania facility to 3 Ohio sites

Readings for some of the contaminated metals were as high as 25 millirem per hour, equaling radiation from two-and-a-half chest X-rays within an hour.

By Arlene Karidis • March 4, 2016

Gulf Breeze, FL will increase trash service fees to compensate for landfill rate hike

This is the first rate increase the Santa Rosa County Central Landfill has imposed in about 20 years.

By Arlene Karidis • March 3, 2016

New York State reworks solid waste rules to fight illegal dumping

The redrafted document covers seven areas of waste, from construction and demolition (C&D) debris to biohazard wastes.

By Arlene Karidis • March 2, 2016

Columbia, MO debate heats up over the cost and safety of roll carts

Proponents say roll carts would reduce injury and save hundreds of thousands of dollars a year, while opponents say the carts are not safer and switching to them would cost over $6.3 million.

By Arlene Karidis • March 2, 2016

Hauler heroes: 5 garbage collectors who have significantly impacted their communities

From donating to the homeless to saving the lives of strangers, garbage haulers have proven that their actions can change the worlds of those around them. 

By Kristin Musulin • March 2, 2016

New truck driver regulations threaten to cut industry productivity by 15%

Regulations such as the use of electronic logging devices, speed limiters, and seat belt mandates may all result in a loss of productivity, despite intentions to keep drivers safe.

By Arlene Karidis • March 1, 2016

Pratt Recycling has been landfilling Savannah's glass, much to the city's surprise

While Pratt must pay for the recyclables under its 10-year contract, effective until 2018, there are no terms specifying how the company must handle the waste.

By Arlene Karidis • Feb. 29, 2016

Caterpillar to discontinue trash trucks and other on-highway vocational trucks

Caterpillar's market withdrawal comes less than a year after the company announced plans to independently design and manufacture its own vocational trucks.

By Arlene Karidis • Feb. 29, 2016

Volvo develops drone-operated garbage collection robot

The working prototype is guided by a drone that identifies the location of trash-filled receptacles through GPS, cameras, infrared radar, accelerometers, and gyroscopes.

By Arlene Karidis • Feb. 29, 2016

Key West, FL may drop $586K on new trash cans to comply with Waste Management's standards

Per the city's waste service contract, Waste Management said carts must be wheeled, lidded, 35 to 96 gallons, and "suited to automatic dumping equipment."

By Arlene Karidis • Feb. 29, 2016

The hauler high life: How garbage workers are cashing in on a dirty job

"I make more money than someone who went to college," said New York trash worker Tony Sankar to CNN Money.

By Kristin Musulin • Feb. 24, 2016

South Los Angeles' $1M cleanup initiative to boost sanitation services, add trash bins

"I am confident we can win the war on trash," said Los Angeles City Councilmember Curren Price regarding the Ninth District's "Clean & Green" campaign.

By Arlene Karidis • Feb. 24, 2016