The skills of recycling professionals and waste collection drivers were put to the test in a rodeo-style competition at the Thomas & Mack Center. Republic Services hosted a local ROAD-EO competition, where collection drivers, heavy equipment forklift operators, and technicians participated in a series of timed and precision-based obstacle courses with everyday obstacles in the field, a test on equipment knowledge, behind-the-wheel skills, and safety awareness.
“I’ve been doing this for 28 years, so I’ve had plenty of experience out on the route. But doing obstacle course is absolutely different than it was on the streets,” said Scott Elrod, an Automated Side-Load (ASL) Driver.