Resource Center
Celebrating decades of keeping America clean
Republic Services is helping tell the story of waste collection in America. A new exhibit, “Keeping America Clean: The Evolution of the Waste Industry,” features classic Mack garbage trucks, including three from Republic Services from past decades.Byline: BTB Editor
June 21, 2019 / Time to read: 5 minRepublic Services believes the history of waste collection is a story worth telling. From horse-drawn wagons to the fully enclosed, automated trucks of today – and looking ahead to the fully electric collection vehicles of the future – the waste and recycling industry continually evolves to ensure communities are clean and safe.
Republic is proud to partner with Mack Trucks for its new exhibit, “Keeping America Clean: The Evolution of the Waste Industry,” which highlights the history of waste collection. The exhibit showcases three beautifully restored refuse trucks from Republic Services and legacy companies and is on display at the
“Republic Services is proud to be involved in this this unique exhibit, which highlights the advancements of the refuse truck, including enhancing safety features, increasing mechanical lifting and automation, upgrading the cab environment and ultimately improving the work experience for the driver,” said CEO Don Slager, who was on hand for the exhibit’s grand opening in June. “It also gives us an opportunity to recognize the real everyday heroes of the industry – our drivers and technicians. We are proud to partner with Mack Trucks on the exhibit and look forward to continued industry innovation resulting in cleaner, safer and more efficient trucks.”
Republic Services provided three classic Mack truck models, all painted Republic’s signature blue, for the exhibit: a 1929 Mack AK model with hoist and dump body, a 1951 Mack LF model with a Heil Colecto-Pak body and a 1965 Mack B53S model with a Dempster Dumpster body.
As part of the exhibit, Republic helped develop interactive displays as well as a timeline wall showing the advances in refuse collections that have led to the modern vehicles of today:
- With the automation in today’s collection trucks, drivers typically do not have to get out of the truck while on a collection route. This saves time and there is less physical stress on the driver when he or she does not have to get in and out of the truck at various stops. 75 percent of Republic’s trucks are automated.
- Both the automated side loaders and front loaders have become more advanced and are much easier to use. These advancements help our drivers significantly.
- A strong focus on technology, safety and comfort are major factors when it comes to how our employees (and society) view the job of a driver.
- Natural gas alternatives, such as compressed natural gas and renewable natural gas, are now common fuels in many refuse trucks. About 20 percent of Republic’s fleet of 16,000 vehicles runs on alternative fuels.
- Looking ahead, electro mobility is being tested and developed in the refuse industry. We are currently working on a project with Mack Trucks to build a fully electric refuse truck that will be operational in early 2020.
The “Keeping America Clean” exhibit will be on display through June 2020.
