New SWANA report offers tools and practices to help streamline collection operations

Truck driver shortages and a declining availability of waste and recycling collection personnel continue to be a significant problem for waste management companies. The SWANA Applied Research Foundation (ARF) has issued a new report presenting tools and best practices to address this issue and provide waste and recycling collection services optimally and efficiently. The report, Efficient Management of Waste & Recycling Collection Resources, follows the ARF report released in December 2021, Encouraging Better Curbside Recycling Behaviors, which assessed the effectiveness of "recycle right" educational programs.

"In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the efficient allocation of personnel and equipment resources in the provision of waste and recycling collection services is more essential than ever," stated David Biderman, SWANA executive director and CEO. "This new report provides solid waste, recycling, and sustainability managers with useful guidance and benchmarks for streamlined collection operations," Biderman added.

"We are proud to be able to provide this report that addresses such an important and timely topic for SWANA ARF subscribers," said Jeremy O'Brien, SWANA's director of applied research. "SWANA would like to recognize and thank the organizations that comprise the ARF's Collection Group Subscribers that identified and voted on this topic as well as supported and assisted in the research."

The full report is currently only available to SWANA ARF subscribers. SWANA members receive free access to the report one year after publication.