Video sparks investigation into waste collection employee's actions in Milton
Clip shows staff shoveling snow into garbage truck

theifp.ca
March 8, 2016
By Melanie Hennessey

What started as a Milton woman's innocent Facebook post showing waste collection staff shoveling snow into a garbage truck has now led to an investigation of the employee's unusual actions and his suspension.

Both Halton Region and Miller Waste Systems are looking into the incident that occurred on a quiet Milton street Monday morning.

Dr. Anna O'Sullivan was looking out her home office window on Potts Terrace, where she noticed something unusual - a waste services employee not only picking up her garbage, but shoveling a large amount of snow into the truck as well.

"I thought maybe it was because the snow was too far out on the street," said O'Sullivan, who shot a video of the incident and posted it to Facebook praising the man for what seemed like above-and-beyond service. "The video got a whole bunch of comments, with some saying this was nice, but others saying he did this to make the garbage truck heavy."

With the Region paying Miller Waste Systems for its services by the ton, "the obvious incentive (for the employee) was to add weight to the truck," said Halton Commissioner of Public Works Jim Harnum.

"It's absolutely inappropriate and we've taken it very seriously," he said. "We've been working with Miller for many years and never had an incident like this."

The commissioner said the Region didn't pay Miller for the loads that arrived at the waste transfer station on the truck in question and is now investigating the vehicle's history for anomalies to determine if further action is needed.

"We do have supervisors on the road daily checking these trucks, and we have spotters at the transfer station. If a load is soaking wet we would see that immediately," he said.

If the addition of snow in garbage trucks was a systemic problem, Harnum estimated it could add 1 per cent to the tonnage of waste being hauled locally.

"But we think this is an isolated issue," he noted. "There would have to be dump trucks full of snow going into the transfer station to make a huge effect."

He added, "We have a really good relationship with Miller. They are a very open, honest contractor. We think this was just a rogue employee who took it upon himself to try to help the bottom line of this company."

The Region will be assessing a fine to the contractor based on the results of its investigation, said Harnum.

Miller Waste Systems is also taking the matter very seriously and has since suspended the employee pending the results of the investigation, said Denis Goulet, vice president and general manager of Miller Waste Systems Inc.

"This is not acceptable behaviour. He may very well be terminated," he said. "Obviously this is in violation of our company policy and contractual obligation with the Region. Whatever his motivation was, we will find out as we complete our investigation."

Goulet said the company met with its drivers on Tuesday morning to reinforce that only approved materials are to be deposited in garbage trucks. Each of the employees was also given a letter addressing the inappropriate behaviour.

"We had the Region in attendance and they were satisfied with the actions that we took," said Goulet, adding, "All employees are trained and educated on the requirements of our contract."

The Region has contracted Miller Waste Systems since 2008 for waste collection services at a cost of approximately $13 million per year. The municipality recently went through a competitive process for a new waste collection contract that starts next month, with Miller once again being chosen for the service.

While O'Sullivan said she thought she was simply praising someone's efforts, she's ultimately glad her video was able to shed light on the issue.

"I didn't realize this was going to be such a big thing, but it's good because who knows how many other times this has happened?"