EREF study examines waste fleet practices

A new study from Raleigh, North Carolina-based Environmental Research & Education Foundation’s (EREF’s) Data & Policy Program seeks to answer questions related to the U.S. waste collection vehicle fleet, including how many trucks are operating in the U.S, what a vehicle’s average age is when it’s replaced and how often vehicle repairs are made.

Currently, this study is in the data collection phase to better understand the size and maintenance of waste collection vehicle (WCV) fleets throughout the industry. EREF asks that public and private fleet owners complete a 10-to-15-minute survey asking for general information on waste collection vehicles and fleet management.

Participants receive an advance copy of the report, which will include information such as total number of waste collection vehicles in the U.S. and their regional distribution. Those who qualify and complete the survey and select the checkbox to be entered into the giveaway could win an eighth-generation iPad.

The study seeks to benchmark current fleet practices against what industry peers are doing, as well as what is standard practice. It also seeks to understand the cost of owning a fleet and if there are differences between municipal and private fleets. Another objective is identifying growth potential including possible cities for expansion.

The deadline to complete the survey, which is available here, is Sept. 22.

EREF says it has identified 10,793 waste collection entities that own waste collection vehicles (WCV) in the United States. Nearly 100 percent of cities with a population greater than 200,000 said they have collection fleets, while only 13 percent of cities with populations less than 2,000 indicated owning their own collection fleets.

Data from the survey will be presented in compiled form and specific hauler size, addresses and contact information will not be shared, according to EREF.