Environmentalists Everyday » Collecting/Hauling http://blog.environmentalistseveryday.org America's Solid Waste Energy Wed, 10 Mar 2010 21:09:31 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 en hourly 1 NSWMA Comments on Potential Waste Truck Hours of Service Rules http://blog.environmentalistseveryday.org/nswma-comments-on-potential-waste-truck-hours-of-service-rules/ http://blog.environmentalistseveryday.org/nswma-comments-on-potential-waste-truck-hours-of-service-rules/#comments Wed, 20 Jan 2010 21:35:56 +0000 Thom Metzger http://blog.environmentalistseveryday.org/?p=359 The National Solid Wastes Management Association (NSWMA) has filed comments with the U.S. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regarding possible changes in hours of service rules. In its comments, NSWMA strongly urged FMCSA to keep the “100-air mile” reporting exception and the 34-hour reset provision that are a part of current federal hours of service regulations. Learn more here.

]]> http://blog.environmentalistseveryday.org/nswma-comments-on-potential-waste-truck-hours-of-service-rules/feed/ 0 Newsweek Ranks Greenest Big Companies in America http://blog.environmentalistseveryday.org/newsweek-ranks-greenest-big-companies-in-america/ http://blog.environmentalistseveryday.org/newsweek-ranks-greenest-big-companies-in-america/#comments Mon, 28 Sep 2009 17:52:46 +0000 Thom Metzger http://blog.environmentalistseveryday.org/?p=280 In its September 28 issue, Newsweek ranked the Greenest Big Companies in America. For more than a year, the magazine worked with leading environmental researchers KLD Research & Analytics, Trucost, and CorporateRegister.com to rank the 500 largest U.S. companies based on the actual environmental performance, policies and reputation.  A number of EIA members companies are on this list: Caterpillar was ranked 73. Cummins was ranked 91. Waste Management was ranked 109. Deere was ranked 141. PPG Industries was ranked 335. And Navistar International was ranked 424.

]]> http://blog.environmentalistseveryday.org/newsweek-ranks-greenest-big-companies-in-america/feed/ 0 U.S. announced 2008 fatality data for solid waste industry http://blog.environmentalistseveryday.org/us-announced-2008-fatality-data-for-solid-waste-industry/ http://blog.environmentalistseveryday.org/us-announced-2008-fatality-data-for-solid-waste-industry/#comments Tue, 08 Sep 2009 13:01:48 +0000 David Biderman http://blog.environmentalistseveryday.org/?p=261 The federal Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) recently released fatality data for 2008, and there was an increase in solid waste collection employee deaths in 2008 compared to 2007.   Truck rollovers, backing and being struck by a car were the most common causes of these fatal accidents.  The majority of those killed worked for small haulers and local governments.  NSWMA believes that even one workplace fatality per year is one too many, and will continue its effort to provide safety information to solid waste companies and local governments that helps them reduce their accidents and injuries.

]]> http://blog.environmentalistseveryday.org/us-announced-2008-fatality-data-for-solid-waste-industry/feed/ 0 Solid waste industry to participate in Distracted Driving Summit http://blog.environmentalistseveryday.org/solid-waste-industry-to-participate-in-distracted-driving-summit/ http://blog.environmentalistseveryday.org/solid-waste-industry-to-participate-in-distracted-driving-summit/#comments Tue, 01 Sep 2009 12:50:59 +0000 Bruce Parker http://blog.environmentalistseveryday.org/?p=256 The U.S. DOT is convening a Distracted Driving Summit in D.C. on Sept. 30 – Oct. 1, 2009.  This is an important meeting from which legislation may result, among other safety initiatives. An industry representative has been invited to participate on the panel for the event.

In a related matter, Senator Schumer introduced a bill in July that would require states to bar the sending of text or email messages while driving a car or truck, or risk losing federal highway funds. NSWMA has announced its support for that legislation.

]]> http://blog.environmentalistseveryday.org/solid-waste-industry-to-participate-in-distracted-driving-summit/feed/ 0 Terrific Safety Record in February Ends with March Incidents http://blog.environmentalistseveryday.org/terrific-safety-record-in-february-ends-with-march-incidents/ http://blog.environmentalistseveryday.org/terrific-safety-record-in-february-ends-with-march-incidents/#comments Fri, 13 Mar 2009 19:13:44 +0000 David Biderman http://blog.environmentalistseveryday.org/?p=180 The solid waste industry had a terrific safety record in February, with not a single worker fatality anywhere in the United States.  This is the first fatality-free month since NSWMA started tracking the data.  Unfortunately, two workers died on the job this week.  A 61-year-old driver in Oregon was found crushed inside the body of his truck.  And a 61-year-old worker for the New York City Department of Sanitation died of a heart attack while on the route.  Another worker was seriously injured when he was struck by a 70-year-old motorist in upstate New York.  Employers and employees are reminded to emphasize safe operations at all time.  NSWMA will be discussing these events at the NIOSH Services Sector Council meeting on March 17-18.

]]> http://blog.environmentalistseveryday.org/terrific-safety-record-in-february-ends-with-march-incidents/feed/ 0 City of West Palm Beach Communicates with Trash Talk Rap Video http://blog.environmentalistseveryday.org/city-of-west-palm-beach-communicates-with-trash-talk-rap-video/ http://blog.environmentalistseveryday.org/city-of-west-palm-beach-communicates-with-trash-talk-rap-video/#comments Thu, 12 Feb 2009 22:36:10 +0000 Thom Metzger http://blog.environmentalistseveryday.org/city-of-west-palm-beach-communicates-with-trash-talk-rap-video/ On the website of the West Palm Beach Public Works Dept., visitors will find a new video where employees rap about the services that they provide.

]]> http://blog.environmentalistseveryday.org/city-of-west-palm-beach-communicates-with-trash-talk-rap-video/feed/ 1 Post election garbage collection and recycling http://blog.environmentalistseveryday.org/post-election-garbage-collection-and-recycling/ http://blog.environmentalistseveryday.org/post-election-garbage-collection-and-recycling/#comments Wed, 05 Nov 2008 20:13:30 +0000 David Biderman http://blog.environmentalistseveryday.org/?p=96 Election Day is over. It’s time to discard and recycle the campaign signs. All over the United States, thousands of solid waste and recycling collection trucks and workers are picking up your trash and recyclables. Red state, blue state, undecided state. It doesn’t matter. The hard working men and women in the solid waste and recycling workers do their job in a professional and environmental correct way, every day, no matter who you (or they) voted for. And tomorrow, and the next day, they will do it all over again.

]]> http://blog.environmentalistseveryday.org/post-election-garbage-collection-and-recycling/feed/ 0 NYC to vote on rate cap on Nov. 7 http://blog.environmentalistseveryday.org/nyc-to-vote-on-rate-cap-on-nov-7/ http://blog.environmentalistseveryday.org/nyc-to-vote-on-rate-cap-on-nov-7/#comments Mon, 03 Nov 2008 13:09:44 +0000 David Biderman http://blog.environmentalistseveryday.org/?p=82 New York City’s Business Integrity Commission (BIC) will vote on Friday, November 7 on a proposed 30 percent increase to the maximum rates that solid waste companies are allowed to charge commercial customers in the City. The City’s rate cap has not been changed since 1997. The BIC held a public hearing in October on its proposal; NSWMA and 10 member companies testified that the proposed increase is insufficient, as labor, disposal, fuel and other costs have gone up by much more than 30 percent since 1997. No one testified in opposition to the proposed increase. NSWMA has been lobbying City officials for rate cap reform for several years, and views the proposed 30 percent adjustment as an important step towards eventual rate deregulation.

]]> http://blog.environmentalistseveryday.org/nyc-to-vote-on-rate-cap-on-nov-7/feed/ 0 Disposal costs go up http://blog.environmentalistseveryday.org/disposal-costs-go-up/ http://blog.environmentalistseveryday.org/disposal-costs-go-up/#comments Wed, 08 Oct 2008 14:40:07 +0000 Bruce Parker http://blog.environmentalistseveryday.org/?p=5 Like so many things, trash collection and disposal costs recently have gone up in many communities. Many people may wonder why. The rising cost of fuel and equipment affects solid waste management companies as it does all other businesses and families. Add to these rising expenses the cost of insurance, labor, health costs, operational and maintenance costs and costs to comply with new environmental regulations. While costs for trash collection have increased, residential trash collection, which includes disposal, is still offered at a bargain price compared to rising prices most Americans pay for most utilities and services, such as cellular telephones or cable television.

]]> http://blog.environmentalistseveryday.org/disposal-costs-go-up/feed/ 0 Fatality Rate for Collectors Decreases http://blog.environmentalistseveryday.org/fatality-rate-for-collectors-decreases/ http://blog.environmentalistseveryday.org/fatality-rate-for-collectors-decreases/#comments Wed, 08 Oct 2008 14:38:16 +0000 Bruce Parker http://blog.environmentalistseveryday.org/?p=3 The Bureau of Labor Statistics recently issued good news: The fatality rate for collectors of trash/recyclables substantially decreased in 2007 from 2006. This is a big deal because garbage collectors while performing their essential services are the victims of far too many accidents. (Nearly one garbage man dies each week in an accident, and many more are injured each year.)

Trash collection, processing and disposal can be dangerous activities that require proper safety training and well maintained equipment. NSWMA is committed to keeping people safe. We have one of the most comprehensive safety programs for the entire waste industry. We work with the government agencies and our members to stress safety. And there are some relatively simple things that can make a big difference.

Statistics suggest that the number of garbage men struck by cars while doing their work has increased in recent years. So one of the most important things we can do is stress the importance of drivers slowing down when they approach a garbage truck. All new drivers are trained to take extra care when driving near a school bus or emergency vehicles; we also need to consciously slow down around trash collectors. It’s the best way that we can keep garbage collectors and ourselves safe.

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