Blog
Why Safety Tech is No Longer Optional in Waste Management—It’s Essential
by Routeware Team • April 28, 2025
The latest U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report delivered a sobering update: solid waste collection is now the 4th most dangerous job in America—the highest ranking the industry has ever seen on this list.
From small-town haulers to large municipal departments, safety is no longer just a concern—it’s a crisis. The good news? Technology offers powerful, proven tools that can help protect your drivers, improve your operations, and reduce costly incidents across the board.
At Routeware, we believe in technology with a purpose. Here’s how our tools are helping haulers across the country reduce risk, boost efficiency—and get everyone home safe.
Route Optimization: Safety Starts with Smarter Planning
Modern route optimization powered by real-time data and GPS isn’t just about efficiency—it’s about safety. Smarter route planning helps you:
- Avoid school zones during peak hours
- Prevent overloading that leads to rushed driving
- Create safer one-side pickups
It’s about giving drivers a clear, manageable plan so they can focus on the road—not stress about making up time.
In-Cab Technology: Fewer Touches, More Focus
Routeware’s in-cab tablets simplify life behind the wheel. By eliminating paperwork and guiding drivers with real-time updates, we help reduce distractions and keep eyes where they belong—on the road.
Routeware’s in-cab tablets automate core tasks like:
- Real-time service verification (no manual checkboxes or paper logs)
- Route adjustments delivered instantly
- On-the-fly issue reporting without leaving the cab
Better still, behavior tracking features support coaching, correct risky habits early, and can lead to lower insurance costs and fewer claims. Safety and savings? Win-win.
On-Board Cameras: A 360° View of Safety
Our camera systems are helping waste teams monitor driver behavior, review incidents, and prevent accidents in real-time. Some systems can even alert drivers immediately to unsafe behavior, helping them self-correct before it becomes a problem.
Add in GPS, speed monitoring, accident exoneration, and video-based training tools, and your team has a full safety toolkit that protects drivers and the community alike.
When incidents happen, video tells the truth. Our multi-angle camera systems provide real-time and recorded footage to:
- Exonerate drivers from false claims or liability
- Enable faster, fairer investigations of incidents
- Reinforce driver coaching with visual context
With cameras and telematics working together, haulers are better protected from legal exposure and insurance spikes—and drivers gain peace of mind knowing the system has their back.
Smart Education Tools That Protect People, Equipment, and Your Bottom Line
Contaminants like lithium-ion batteries and tanglers (items like hoses, cords, and plastic bags) don’t just cause inconvenience—they can lead to truck fires, equipment breakdowns, worker injuries, and expensive downtime.
Routeware’s smart education tools help you stop those problems before they start.
Through automated, easy-to-understand public education campaigns, behavioral data tracking, and targeted notifications, Routeware empowers cities and haulers to:
- Reduce fire risks by educating residents on proper disposal of batteries and electronics
- Cut downtime at MRFs by minimizing tanglers that wrap around machinery
- Lower contamination rates and improve material quality for resale
- Build lasting community habits through repeatable, data-informed outreach
- Save money by reducing the volume of rejected loads and costly equipment repairs
When residents understand what not to put in the bin—and why—it creates a safer, more efficient, and more sustainable waste ecosystem for everyone.
Better education today means fewer emergencies tomorrow.
AI Driver Support: Smarter Tools for Safer Roads
AI innovations like voice-activated systems, advanced driver assistance, and predictive analysis are changing the safety game.
These tools lighten the cognitive load on your team and reduce human error—making every route safer, smoother, and smarter.
Building a Culture of Safety
Adopting new technology can sometimes meet resistance—but framing it around driver safety and team wellbeing is one of the most effective ways to drive adoption.
Start small, focus on data-driven planning, and use training and coaching to create a shared sense of purpose. When your team sees the benefits—fewer incidents, lower costs, better routes—they’ll buy in fast.
Routeware is proud to support haulers, municipalities, and contractors nationwide with tools that prioritize safety while increasing efficiency and customer satisfaction.
Ready to learn more about how Routeware can make your operations safer and smarter?