Safety First

Waste and Recycling Workers Week is proud to support SWANA's Slow Down to Get Around (SDTGA) initiative. Slow Down to Get Around is a national safety campaign that aims to reduce the risk of accidents by reminding motorists to drive with extra caution in the vicinity of waste and recycling collection vehicles.

The leading cause of death for waste and recycling collection workers is car collisions but the risk extends far beyond that. Children often go outside to watch the garbage, recycling and yard waste collection trucks and greet the workers. These children and families are difficult or impossible to view when passing the truck.

When combined with reckless driving, excessive speed or a simple lack of caution while passing, this is a recipe for disaster. Let's work together to raise awareness and prevent tragedy.

Slow-Down-to-Get-Around

What is SDTGA?

SDTGA is an acronym for Slow Down to Get Around, an important movement to protect our waste and recycling workers while they are out on the road. A Campaign to Save Lives Slow Down to Get Around (SDTGA) is SWANA’s national safety campaign. The campaign aims to remind motorists to drive with extra caution around waste and recycling collection vehicles. Simply slowing down a few miles per hour while passing collection vehicles helps drivers protect themselves, the waste and recycling collection … Read more

Keeping Our Waste & Recycling Workers Safe This Winter

Shorter Days, Darker Mornings The Winter Solstice falls on December 21 and marks the shortest day of the year. With the sun rising later in the morning and setting earlier in the evening, waste and recycling workers are even more likely to be providing curbside collection services in the dark. Darker mornings mean lower visibility on the roads. In the early morning, be sure to drive with caution, especially around recycling and garbage trucks. Snow and Ice and Curbside Collection In … Read more

Accidents Happen

Every year, there are approximately 6 million car accidents in the United States. Those accidents result in around 3 million injuries each year and more than 90 deaths every day. But it doesn’t have to be this way. According to the National Center for Statistics and Analysis, “speeding is one of the most prevalent factors contributing to traffic crashes,” and speeding accounted for 26% of all traffic fatalities in 2017. That percentage increases to around 40% when there is snow, slush … Read more

Save-Lives-with-One-Easy-Choice

Save Lives with One Easy Choice

Slow Down to Get Around It sounds so simple, but many drivers fail to do it. When you’re driving behind a recycling or garbage truck performing curbside collection services, slow down. Leave a little extra space to accommodate frequent stops and slow down before passing. We understand drivers are often in a hurry. So many of us have too much to get done and never enough time to do it. But safety should always, always come first. Nothing is worth risking … Read more

Slow-Down-to-Get-Around

Slow Down to Get Around

A Campaign to Save Lives Slow Down to Get Around (SDTGA) is SWANA’s national safety campaign. The campaign reminds motorists to drive more carefully when near waste and recycling collection vehicles. By slowing down, drivers protect themselves, the waste and recycling collection workers and other motorists. Being struck by a motor vehicle is a leading cause of death for waste and recycling collection employees. With proper awareness, these deaths are preventable. Slow Down, It’s the Law! Slow Down to Get Around … Read more

4 Ways to Save a Life

Saving a life may be easier than you think. With a few simple choices on the road, you can keep your neighbors, family and fellow commuters safe. These simple choice also make a big difference in workplace safety for our waste and recycling workers. Slow Down Speed plays a big roll in your ability to avoid an accident while driving. Speed can also be the difference between a minor accident with no injuries or a major accident that causes serious harm … Read more

Save a Life, Slow Down to Get Around!

Slow Down to Get Around When you are driving behind a garbage or recycling truck collecting household waste from curbside bins, slow down. Reducing your speed and leaving a little extra space to accommodate frequent stops could prevent an accident and save a life. And always slow down before passing a recycling or garbage truck. No matter how busy you are or how much you are running late, safety should always, always come first. Nothing is worth risking your life or the … Read more

Slow-Down-to-Get-Around

What is SDTGA?

SDTGA is an acronym for Slow Down to Get Around, an important movement to protect our waste and recycling workers while they are out on the road. A Campaign to Save Lives Slow Down to Get Around (SDTGA) is SWANA’s national safety campaign. The campaign aims to remind motorists to drive with extra caution around waste and recycling collection vehicles. Simply slowing down a few miles per hour while passing collection vehicles helps drivers protect themselves, the waste and recycling collection … Read more

Save-Lives-with-One-Easy-Choice

Save Lives with One Easy Choice

Slow Down to Get Around It sounds so simple, but many drivers fail to do it. When you’re driving behind a recycling or garbage truck performing curbside collection services, slow down. Leave a little extra space to accommodate frequent stops and slow down before passing. We understand drivers are often in a hurry. So many of us have too much to get done and never enough time to do it. But safety should always, always come first. Nothing is worth risking … Read more

Slow-Down-to-Get-Around

Slow Down to Get Around

A Campaign to Save Lives Slow Down to Get Around (SDTGA) is SWANA’s national safety campaign. The campaign reminds motorists to drive more carefully when near waste and recycling collection vehicles. By slowing down, drivers protect themselves, the waste and recycling collection workers and other motorists. Being struck by a motor vehicle is a leading cause of death for waste and recycling collection employees. With proper awareness, these deaths are preventable. Slow Down, It’s the Law! Slow Down to Get Around … Read more