SWANA Study To Evaluate Residential Waste Collection Practices

The Solid Waste Association of North America's (SWANA) Applied Research Foundation has launched The North American Benchmarking Study for Residential Solid Waste Collection - a ground-breaking research project designed to collect and analyze stastistically-valid performance and economic data for residential waste collection services in the U.S. and Canada.

The goal of the study is to develop meaningful performance benchmarks for residential solid waste collection services, as well as to compile comparative data on various collection technologies such as automated and semi-automated collection. Currently, 48 local government participants are providing data as well as contributing support for the study through the contribution of sponsorship fees of $500 to $2,500 based on population served.

The study is being conducted with the assistance of Dr. Barbara Stevens, a nationally-recognized benchmarking expert and Wastebid.com, which has developed a web site (www.SwanaBenchmarks.com) that will be used to collect the necessary cost and performance data.

"This study will help collection managers across improve collection practices," remarked John H. Skinner, SWANA Executive Director and CEO. "We are very proud of the work the Foundation has undertaken and expect the results to be very helpful," added Skinner.

Additional local governments and organizations have the opportunity to participate as project sponsors. All data provided for the study remains confidential. To contribute to this forward-thinking study contact SWANA's Director of Applied Research, Jeremy K. O'Brien, P.E., at 704.906.7269 or by e-mail at jobrien@SWANA.org.