Department Guide
Refuse Operations
Standards for managing solid waste collection including routing, safety, compliance, and service reliability.
Overview
Refuse and solid waste collection is one of the highest-visibility services a public works department provides. Missed collections, safety incidents, and inefficient routing directly affect resident satisfaction and department reputation.
Routing and Scheduling
- Route density analysis and balancing
- Collection frequency standards by waste stream
- Holiday schedule management and communication
- Dynamic re-routing during equipment failures
Safety Standards
- PPE requirements for all collection personnel
- Tailgate meeting standards and frequency
- Spotter protocols for rear-load operations
- Incident reporting and near-miss tracking programs
Regulatory Compliance
Solid waste operations must comply with federal RCRA requirements, state solid waste regulations, OSHA 29 CFR 1910 general industry standards, and local franchise or service agreements. Maintain a current compliance calendar with assigned owners for every requirement.
Route Maps
Current route maps for all collection circuits
Safety Calendar
Scheduled tailgate topics 12 months out
PPE Matrix
PPE requirements documented by task
Compliance Calendar
All permit and reporting deadlines tracked
Equipment Logs
Daily defect reporting for all collection vehicles
Service Complaints
Complaint tracking and response time standards