Quietly Celebrating 100 Years of the Garbage Truck

Waste Management Showcases Its 1934 Vintage De Martini Garbage Truck

OAKLAND, Calif. — October 18, 2012 — On Monday, October 15, Waste and Recycling News (WRN) announced the 100th Anniversary of the Garbage Truck, and Waste Management of Alameda (WMAC) added 15 new compressed natural gas (CNG) collection trucks to bring its natural gas fleet total to 95.

“The story of the garbage truck is one that truly goes unnoticed,” said Tom Ridder, District Manager, WMAC. “The garbage trucks today are modern miracles on wheels.”

According to WRN, the first garbage truck appeared in 1912, and to celebrate the history of the garbage truck, Waste Management started up its 1934 award-winning, vintage De Martini garbage truck to contrast how far the garbage truck has advanced. This particular De Martini was used to haul garbage from Oakland homes around 35th Avenue between 1935-1945 as part of Oakland Scavengers.

Today, from the automated side loaders with the mechanical arms to the massive hydraulic compactors inside, the state-of-the-art 18-ton garbage truck has come a long way. However, one of its most significant achievements is the reduction of its environmental impact.

Waste Management’s CNG powered trucks contribute to a smaller carbon footprint, including a reduction of up to 90 percent of air particulate and up to 25 percent fewer greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, the trucks run about 50 percent quieter than traditional diesel engines, resulting in less noise pollution.

“To close the loop, the CNG garbage trucks here are fueled by methane gas coming from our Altamont Landfill in Livermore, California,” said Ridder. “Essentially, the ‘gas’ from garbage is powering our garbage trucks.”

In fact, most days the trucks will generate nearly zero-carbon emissions when powered by gas from trash. This bio-fuel, made from the decomposition of organic waste at Waste Management’s Altamont Landfill, is the lowest carbon fuel available. It has 98 percent fewer emissions than fossil-fuel natural gas.

The 15 newest members of the Waste Management natural gas fleet will be servicing routes in the Oro Loma Sanitary District.

“So if you happen to notice one of our CNG garbage trucks quietly doing its job,” said Ridder, “Just know that it’s been 100 years in the making.”

ABOUT WASTE MANAGEMENT OF ALAMEDA COUNTY
Waste Management of Alameda County is a community-based provider of environmental solutions. We offer residential and commercial curbside collection for recycling, composting and disposal. Our fleet of natural gas vehicles are powered with gas made from trash at the Altamont Landfill in Livermore. WM EarthCare (www.wmearthcare.com) is our closed loop solution to organic waste. We deliver local solutions with the knowledge and resources of the nation’s largest recycler, Waste Management.

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