Over the past three months, Casella Waste Systems has lost the use of four trucks—each sidelined for more than a week—due to the improper disposal of radioactive material in the residential waste stream. Unfortunately, we experienced yet another incident today.
In the trash industry, this type of occurrence is sometimes referred to as a “Hot Load.” It happens when radioactive material is mistakenly placed in household trash. When this occurs, trucks must be taken out of service for extended periods to ensure safety, resulting in delays, costly repairs, and unnecessary risks.
We want to remind all residents that radioactive materials are strictly prohibited from disposal with regular household trash. These items cannot be managed through standard waste collection due to the serious safety hazards they create.
In some cases, these materials may come from individuals undergoing chemotherapy treatments, where certain medical by-products can register as radioactive. While these situations are usually low-level, they still cause trucks to be flagged, pulled from service, and quarantined. Even small amounts create significant disruption.
We ask for your help in keeping our workers, equipment, and community safe. If you or someone in your household may have materials of concern, please contact your healthcare provider or local waste authority for proper disposal options.
Thank you for doing your part to ensure the safety of our drivers, our community, and our environment.
