The hauling industry is undergoing a quiet but powerful transformation driven by artificial intelligence. Across areas such as driver safety, smarter routing, and predictive fleet maintenance, AI is enabling municipalities and private haulers to reduce costs, improve service quality and safety, and meet sustainability goals. This five-person panel will discuss real-world applications of AI across waste and recycling collection, such as driver behavioral coaching systems that detect fatigue and distraction, intelligent route optimization that minimizes fuel waste and emissions, and predictive maintenance tools that prevent costly breakdowns. The panel includes municipality solid waste leaders from the cities of Tampa (Florida), Columbus (Georgia), and Loveland (Colorado), alongside an executive from a leading waste equipment manufacturer and the founder of an AI startup innovating in the waste collection space. It offers a range of perspectives from public and private sector operations.

Whether the attendees are municipal officials overseeing collections or operators in private hauling, this session will offer actionable recommendations to integrate AI for a safer, smarter, and more efficient hauling operation. Learning objectives include: 

1. Identify how AI technologies are being applied across different use cases by waste and recycling haulers.
2. Understand key implementation considerations and practical tips to achieve operational and sustainability goals.
3. Evaluate the benefits and challenges of integrating AI into existing waste hauling infrastructure, including staffing, data readiness, and change management.

The session will feature audience Q&A woven into the discussion, inviting attendees to share how they’re addressing the same operational challenges explored by the panelists. This interactive format will foster relatable, real-world learning and set the stage for a deeper exchange of ideas. 

About the Speakers

Tyler Bandemer
Solid Waste Management Superintendent | City of Loveland

Tyler Bandemer is the Solid Waste Manager for the City of Loveland, CO. He manages the collection of trash, single-stream recycling, and yard waste collections from approximately 30,000 households and manages a full-service recycling center. Oversees the top residential recycling program in Colorado with a year-to-year average diversion rate of approximately 60%. Develops and executes strategies to increase recycling and increase efficiencies with sustainability in mind. Has introduced automated waste collections, single-stream recycling, organics collections and composting, along with many other diversion initiatives. He continues to work on initiatives to increase technologies and efficiencies with collection services, including routing software and live video on trucks for proof of service, safety, accident review, decreasing contamination, and accident review, while also utilizing technologies to communicate with customers. Graduated from the University of Wyoming with a BS in Health Science and has been in the solid waste industry for 18 years. 

Nora Dempsey
Chief Business Development Officer, USA | Nord Engineering

"Malcolm Gladwell would call me a ""connector."" As the head of Global Business Development for Nord Engineering, I create partnerships, a skill I honed throughout my years with the U.S. Department of State. Using technology as a diplomatic tool around the world allowed me to rub elbows with creative innovators on every continent. Nord Engineering is at the forefront of integrated, sustainable solutions in waste management that are both elegant and efficient, making “smart” cities cleaner and safer."

 
Ganes Kesari
Founder & CEO | Tensor Planet

Ganes Kesari is the Founder & CEO of Tensor Planet, an AI predictive maintenance company that uses existing telematics and maintenance data to help waste-collection fleets prevent breakdowns and boost uptime. A TEDx speaker and columnist for MIT Sloan Management Review and Forbes, he has guest-lectured at Columbia University and Princeton. He specializes in making AI accessible, practical, and operations-ready for fleets.

John Pittman
Director of Solid Waste | Camden County, GA

John Pittman brings over 30 years of experience in municipal solid waste management to his role as Director of Solid Waste for Camden County, Georgia. His background spans both public and private sectors, including work as a Municipal Solid Waste Consultant with Underground Refuse Systems and leadership roles with the City of Pensacola, DeKalb County, the City of Clearwater, and the City of Largo.

John holds a Master’s in Public Administration from Barry University, a Bachelor’s in Management from the University of Phoenix, and an Associate’s in Business Administration from Florida Metropolitan University. Starting his career on the back of a garbage truck, he’s built a lifelong passion for solid waste management through dedication, innovation, and service. 

Steve Swan
Chief of Operations | City of Tampa 

“My career in the Solid Waste industry began in 2004. I spent ten years with WM and went on to work with several smaller, local haulers in the Massachusetts area. I currently hold a BS in Marketing from the University of Massachusetts/Dartmouth, and an MBA in Strategic Leadership (Minor in Change Management) from Amberton University. I am SWANA certified in Integrated SW Management, TREEO trained, and hold a Green Belt in Lean Six Sigma. I am extremely proud and honored to call Tampa and the COT Solid Waste Department my home for the last eight years.”