Waste-Management

Waste-management is a career to consider in the utilities field. This is because of a growing population and the continual need to have waste picked up and removed.

Now it should be noted that when waste's referred to, I am referring to waste that's man-made and taken to the curb for pickup, so it can be taken to a landfill for disposal or incineration; or waste that can be recycled. The careers I am specifically writing about are for employment on the truck routes, though there are office jobs in this field.

The nice thing about these jobs are that they are well paying, especially in union states. You can also, if talented, work your way up to route manager where you're a supervisor. The pay scale in union states can vary with some states paying public employees $ 35 an hour plus overtime, though private firm employees may make less. And there's usually plenty of overtime because it's an all weather job. People aren't going to do their standard route on time in a howling rain storm.

As far as downsides of the job, a driver needs a CDL license. And come sleet or hail or blizzard, it's an all weather job. And since you deal with trash, you also deal with smells, and things you'd rather not touch. Some of this is mitigated by the fact that a trash collector, I realize there are probably more noble titles for the job, this title is between garbage man, and sanitation engineer that every one understands, is required to wear certain clothing and is protected by OSHA rules. You also do a lot of lifting.

Of course, Gloves in 85 degree weather for 8 hours a day plus overtime aren't comfortable. And, some customers will dispose of sharp objects, like broken glass, with no concern for you, and you will be picking up these objects at a time when there is often little light. Also, OSHA can't protect you from the people who will be driving too close behind and flying around you. There's also the hard fact that the routine motion of lifting and dumping leads to shoulder problems.

What are some myths in dealing with waste. Well, it's more complicated than pick up and dump. The land fills in newer places are lined to prevent leakage and often have processes that need to be done to separate out waste. Especially to remove water if you are paying to have the waste taken to a landfill by the pound. Companies don't like to pay for water to be trucked out when it's an operation the sun does for free.

Another myth is that because it doesn't decompose, it's bad for the environment. Styrofoam will stay buried for a billion years and will always be there in the ground when you bury it; we've all heard this. Except, Styrofoam is inert. That means it doesn't hurt anything either. Rocks are eternal too.

Another myth is that we are running out of places to bury things. Actually no. There is 5 times as much land devoted to golf course as landfills according to “Opposing Views', an on-line editorial site. The fact is, most of this country, 97.5 % is undeveloped or farmland. The real problem isn't do we have the room? The real problem is landfills are like drug rehab clinics. Every one approves of them in Uncle Harry's neighborhood, just don't put it within 30 miles of mine.

Still, the jobs are there for people who can deal with the smells, the feel of garbage and do physical labor.

By

Jeffrey Ruzicka

Jeffrey Ruzicka is a retired executive of a small company that specializes in industrial water treatment. He is happily married and lives with his wife in Western Pennsylvania. He is a contributing writer for UtilitiesJobs, UtilitiesJobsBlog and Nexxt