SWACO is proud to participate in the national celebration of Waste and Recycling Workers Week, June 16-20. This celebration is held annually to honor those in the waste and recycling industry who are working to keep regions like central Ohio clean, healthy and sustainable.
SWACO serves 41 communities in central Ohio, receiving over a million tons of waste stream material annually, and the teams at the Franklin County Sanitary Landfill and transfer stations interact with hundreds of waste haulers each day.
On Wednesday, June 18, SWACO executives and staff will greet haulers at the Franklin County Sanitary Landfill and Transfer Stations during SWACO’s annual appreciation event. Haulers will receive snacks, information on best practices for operating large vehicles and equipment, and a review of safety policies for the landfill and transfer stations. They will also be encouraged to take the official SWANA Safety Pledge, reinforcing SWACO’s commitment to safety.
“Our mission is to lead transformational diversion programs and ensure the safe disposal of the waste stream. We do that through collaborating with our public and private partners to improve our shared quality of life while operating safely,” said Joe Lombardi, SWACO’s executive director. “With SWACO working directly on the front lines with our own landfill operators and recycling truck drivers that service over 70 recycling drop-off locations across central Ohio, we recognize these workers as one of the essential pillars in the community that are helping maintain the safety and cleanliness of our neighborhoods.”
“Behind every clean street and empty bin is a waste and recycling worker doing the hard, often thankless job that keeps our communities safe, healthy and sustainable,” said Gary McDaniel, SWACO’s safety manager. “We honor their dedication, knowing they face risks every day—their work matters and so does their well-being.”
Waste and recycling professionals play a significant part in helping central Ohio increase landfill diversion. Since the beginning of 2024, SWACO’s Recycling Convenience Center diverted roughly 364,000 pounds of hard-to-recycle material from the county landfill and each month, SWACO’s Recycling Truck Drivers transport more than 658,000 pounds of materials to the local material recovery facility for recycling.
“We are excited to show our appreciation and further connect with the waste and recycling workers of central Ohio,” said Scott Perry, SWACO’s assistant executive director. “These essential workers play a critical role in managing the region’s waste and recycling efforts. SWACO is proud to be a resource that supports their important work.”
