“We love our driver!” is a common refrain from our customers. We love them too! Our drivers embody the Western values of reliability, attention to detail, and going above and beyond while spreading a bit of sunshine along the way. Here’s a behind-the-scenes peek at what it takes.
Western Disposal has four rear-load trucks and fifteen automated side-loading trucks used to collect residential waste. We employ eighty-one drivers, twenty-two of whom service residential customers. The base minimum qualification to drive a residential waste truck is to possess and maintain a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), as these vehicles are designed to hold more than 54,000 pounds when full. All CDL Drivers at Western Disposal are required to operate within the guidelines of the Department of Transportation while driving CDL vehicles. This includes inspecting their vehicle before and after use each day, obeying all traffic laws, and passing all random sobriety tests.
Up With the Sun
Residential drivers begin their day at 6:30 am, inspecting their truck to assure it is fully functional and in operational condition, and arriving at their first stop at 7:00 am. These drivers typically start with collecting recycling or compostable materials and then finish their day collecting trash.
Emptying carts is their primary responsibility. Drivers who drive the automated side-loading trucks must master their joystick which controls the automated dumping mechanism. It takes practice to align the cart dumper with the cart, dump the cart to assure all contents get emptied, and replace the empty cart upright against the curb with the lid closed. Drivers who operate the rear-load trucks have no joystick to master but they do have cart dumpers on the back of the truck to help them empty the carts. Although the routes are mostly automated, drivers still hop out to clean up any escaped material.
High Touch. High Tech.
When it comes to servicing their routes, every day is different. Drivers need to be focused, but also flexible with a problem-solving mindset. As our front-line representatives, they frequently engage with customers to answer questions, solve problems, and address concerns. If they encounter mechanical difficulties, drivers must communicate with their supervisor and our shop personnel to assure these issues are handled in the most efficient manner possible. Other issues include weather, traffic, road closures, and holiday schedule changes. People often ask how late our drivers work – the answer is: as long as it takes to complete their route!
The job is more high-tech than you might expect. All trucks are equipped with onboard computers and cameras which connect the drivers to our dispatchers. Route manifests, location data, and work orders are real-time enabling dispatch and customer service to provide meaningful and timely information to customers regarding service times, ETA, and any other issues/inquiries. Time-stamped photos document field activity and potential issues such as contaminated contents, prohibited materials, and access issues.
Being a residential driver for Western requires attention to detail, a commitment to great service, and the ability to solve problems. It can be a very physical job, but the mental part of the job is crucial. Drivers are responsible for the condition of their trucks, all customers on their route, and every aspect of safety during their day. The position of a driver at Western Disposal is a challenging and rewarding career.
