Waste Management Industry News

Tri-County Industries, Inc. Honors Shelly Mathieson

4/28/2017

Tri-County Industries, Inc., a division of Vogel Holding, Inc., honors Shelly Mathieson for her 34 years of outstanding service. Since her start in 1983 in the Billing department, Shelly has been willing to learn and perform each office position, from Accounts Payable and Receivable to Human Resources to Dispatch. A true "Jill of all trades," Shelly is capable of handling everything...

2017 Prescription Drug Take Back Day

4/27/2017

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has announced another National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, to be held on Saturday, April 29, 2017 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The National Prescription Drug Take Back Day provides a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposal for prescription drugs, while also educating the public about the potential for abuse of medications. This is a great...

The Art of Spring Cleaning and Decluttering

4/17/2017

Open the windows! Start the garden! Break out the short-sleeved shirts! Warm weather has finally returned to Ohio. As you put away the wool sweaters, you're probably starting to feel a deep-seated itch to do a little spring cleaning. A thorough spring cleaning consists of two parts: cleaning up standard dirt and dust, and getting rid of any unnecessary items you've accumulated over...

Disposing of Chemicals, Tires, Prescriptions, Electronics

3/28/2017

The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency provides information for the collection or drop-off of a variety of hard-to-dispose-of materials. You can view this information on the Ohio EPA website. Hard-to-dispose-of materials include, but are not limited to: automotive fluids, household cleaners, pesticides, paints and other household chemicals e-waste such as computer towers and...

How to Organize a Community Cleanup

3/16/2017

Winter Storm Stella may have made it hard to think about spring and outdoor activities, but in the next few weeks, communities all over Pennsylvania will come together to beautify their neighborhoods. From May 1 through March 31, volunteers participate in a statewide event known as the Great American Cleanup of Pennsylvania. The main focus of this initiative is to clean up litter and debris...

Household Hazardous Waste Management

2/27/2017

Here's a fact for trivia night: each person in the state of Pennsylvania produces an average of 4 pounds of Household Hazardous Waste per year. And if every person in PA generates 4 pounds per year, that's a total of 25,000 tons per year statewide! Household Hazardous Waste consists of items and materials that can pose environmental and public health concerns if not managed properly....

How to Dispose of Mattresses and Boxsprings

2/20/2017

Presidents' Day is one of the biggest days of the year for mattress sales. If you've had your current mattress for more than 8 years, or if your quality of sleep has been suffering because of discomfort at night, you might be out searching for a new mattress this weekend. But getting a new mattress presents a problem: what to do with your old mattress and box spring? Here are some...

Ohio Valley Waste Service, Inc. Announces Driver of the Year for 2016

12/16/2016

Ohio Valley Waste Service, Inc. is pleased to announce the recipient of their 2016 Driver of the Year Award, Matthew Decker. Matthew has demonstrated excellence in safety, work ethic, customer service, and compliance with Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations. His position as a Swing Driver and Trainer puts him on a new route and in an unfamiliar truck almost every day, which makes...

Proper Disposal of Needles and Sharps

11/21/2016

When our employees handle your trash every week, they take on the risk that they might encounter something dangerous. One of the most dangerous things they might come across is a contaminated needle. If they accidentally get stuck by an improperly disposed-of needle, they put themselves at risk of contracting a deadly disease such as HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, tetanus or syphilis. Safe and proper...

Vogel Family of Businesses Celebrates America Recycles Day

11/1/2016

America Recycles Day happens every year around the 15th of November. This national initiative, sponsored by Keep America Beautiful, encourages Americans to pay closer attention to what they throw away and what should be recycled. “America Recycles Day provides the encouragement and know-how to make recycling a common practice every day of the year,” says Brenda Pulley, senior vice...

Why Children Love Garbage Trucks

10/11/2016

Over the years, we've learned that children are fascinated by garbage trucks. It’s flattering! Kids see something magical about the big beeping truck that shows up every week like clockwork to magically whisk away their garbage. Science suggests that as toddlers begin to understand object-permanence, the coming and going of garbage trucks is something they can latch onto. Our truck...

Easy How-To Tips for Garbage Collection

9/20/2016

Garbage collection is simple: you put out your trash, and we collect it. But there are some tips to make sure we're able to serve you properly and consistently. Put your garbage in a bag. Our collection personnel are not permitted to reach into cans. Bags prevent loose trash from sticking or freezing to the bottom of the can, where our personnel can't reach it. Bags also prevent...

How To Prevent Garbage Can Odors

8/8/2016

With August comes some of the hottest weather of the year. Hot, humid weather is the perfect recipe for problems with your garbage can: smells, sticky leaks and pests. Use these tips to minimize any unpleasant experiences with your garbage can. Always bag your garbage! Never put loose trash in your can. Rinse recyclable containers if they have come into contact with food. You shouldn't...

How to Safely Pass a Garbage Truck

7/14/2016

Last year, six waste collection employees nationwide died on the job after being hit by a car. This is an avoidable tragedy. As part of the NW&RA, the Vogel family of companies is committed to keeping our drivers safe. Our drivers are our most valuable resources, but they are also parents, spouses, children, and members of our community. Here are some tips to help ensure the safety of...

Ohio Valley Waste Stands Up for Industry Safety

5/15/2016

Youngstown, OH—May 16, 2016—Ohio Valley Waste Service, Inc. announced today that it has joined the 2016 Safety Stand Down on Water Rest and Shade, an initiative of the National Waste & Recycling Association (NWRA.) This weeklong training and awareness effort is focused on keeping collection workers safe during hot weather. The 2016 NWRA Safety Stand Down on Water, Rest and Shade...