Due to the icy conditions, we are not running routes today, January 22nd. We will ALWAYS prioritize the safety of our people. Please keep your carts curbside and we’ll collect missed areas and missed commercial stops throughout the week. Thank you for your understanding. Please share and spread the word.

Some things about leadership just leave you scratching your head.  Like the time I was sitting in my office a few months back, thinking up ways to motivate and inspire AWC employees. I wanted to establish a culture that had a broad reaching effect on employee morale and good customer experience.

Trouble was, I was thinking I had to revamp policies and overturn everything we had already done up to that point to make it happen. I struggled with it for a few days.

Then it occurred to me: No company head has to reinvent the wheel when it comes to influencing company culture…I was all wrong. All I really needed to do is start a dialogue with the folks who best impact employees in a big way: my managers.

Job one was giving them something solid to work with and using it as my talking points whenever we got together. I knew my people instinctively wanted to make a positive impact on our overall culture, but needed just a little direction. So just providing some needed tools, I could help them.

Here are some management strategies that helped me:

Use a resource guide. I’m using the book The One Minute Manager Situational Leadership (Revised Manager) in all our meetings. It’s really a great read and focuses on different ways to motivate different kinds of people. Clear and simple, the book teaches how to become an adaptable and successful leader, forming your style to the needs of the individual and to the situation. I’ve already given each manager a copy of the book as a guide and am getting really good feedback.

Pick a theme. “Be the Hero” is a good one. I used it in our monthly meeting and as a focal point for communication throughout the month. The idea centers on letting employees know they are our number one asset and that everyday is their opportunity to be the hero, to make a difference in the life of our customers and fellow employees. It’s really a point of pride and rallying point to boost a sense of culture and togetherness in our employees. Just change up themes ever so often and pick ones that reinforce your overall vision.

Define your purpose. This is not just a one and done exercise. Your company’s purpose is your roadmap and the ultimate guideline for making your business a true success. Talk about it daily. Make it a centerpiece of your culture. For AWC, our purpose is very clear: We are in the people business and our resolve has to be about meeting the waste needs of families and the community; otherwise we’re just blowing smoke (well, trash fumes in our case).

Truth is, I’ve always been of the mindset that any positive culture shift has to come from the top down and resonate with your leadership first. But, at the same time, it doesn’t take a complete over-haul to accomplish your objectives. Just keep it simple.

Simply start a dialogue with your managers (and then employees) and see where the discussion leads. What we perceive as a monumental task often just boils down to directing the narrative.

You’d be surprised how eager folks are to talk about positive change. Just keep the conversation encouraging, and, above all…keep it going.

Paul Ross

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Container placement and usage:

All containers will be placed on a hard or paved surface to prevent property damage. If a customer requests placement on an unpaved surface, this could result in increased costs if inclement weather prevents removal on the date requested. Costs could include: (1) a trip fee based on location and no less than $50, and (2) additional lease fees at current rental rate until ground conditions allow for removal. If the container is placed on an unpaved surface at the customer’s request, the customer assumes all responsibility for any increased costs and any damage to the ground or grass this may cause.

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American Waste Control, Inc. is not responsible for accidents, injury or damage caused by a container or to a container while the container is at the customer’s location.

Material

Most material is acceptable for disposal in our temporary containers. Please see the following list for exceptions. If unsure of size or material, please contact customer service at 918-446-0023 prior to placing items in containers.

    • Follow Special Instructions
      • Refrigerators and air conditioners – disconnect and drain Freon
      • Lawn mowers or other lawn equipment – drain gas and oil tanks
    • Special Quote Required

(Not allowed unless preapproved, call 918-446-0023 before placing any of these items in your dumpster)

    • Hazardous or flammable substances
    • Biohazardous materials
    • Car batteries
    • Tires – minimum charge of $25 per tire
    • Wet paint or other solvents
  • Not allowed
    • Dead animals


Please review the following chart for other restrictions:

*If a container is overloaded, American Waste Control, Inc. will either charge additional fees to haul the container or require the customer to offload material prior to removal if the container is unable to be safely hauled.