California Garbage Truck Smoke Costs Waste Management $1 Million

The waste company settled for air quality violations that occurred in 2004 and 2005 throughout the state.

"Trash pick-up is a critical service, but emissions spewed from uninspected trucks are not something Californians should pay for with their health," said ARB Chairman Mary Nichols. "Our enforcement teams will continue to ensure clean air laws are taken seriously."

Waste Management truck plys the streets of a California neighborhood. (Photo courtesy Waste Management)

In addition to the settlement monies, Waste Management has agreed to comply with the smoke inspection program. The company and will require all fleet staff responsible for compliance with the ARB's regulations to attend classes conducted by the California Council on Diesel Education and Technology. Waste Management must also supply to the Air Resources Board all smoke inspection records for 2007 and the subsequent four years.

All monies are being paid to the California Air Pollution Control Fund, which was established to mitigate various sources of pollution through education and the advancement and use of cleaner technology.

This fund, upon appropriation by the Legislature, uses compliance settlement fees to support various pollution research projects and related programs.

The state has more than 12,000 diesel-fueled commercial and residential solid waste and recycling collection vehicles. Waste collection is a weekly event in most areas, and in some cases, neighborhoods are served by three collection vehicles each week.

Unchecked, emissions from these trucks contribute to toxic diesel particulate matter levels that are a danger to public health, says the ARB, adding diesel emissions contribute to poor air quality throughout the state.

Waste Management is a nationwide, Fortune 200 company.

As part of a new company initiative, announced in October, Waste Management will direct its capital spending of up to $500 million per year over a 10-year period to increase the fuel efficiency of its fleet by 15 percent and reduce fleet emissions by 15 percent by 2020.

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