Author Archives: admin_cws

Honoring 9/11 with Flowers

Twenty-three years ago, America was impacted tremendously on September 11, 2001, and most refer to this day as 9/11. However, many people take a different approach when remembering and honoring this day. While many remember 9/11 as a day of sorrow, others choose to celebrate it through acts of kindness and service, turning remnants of garbage into hope.

Each year on September 11, America observes the National Day of Service and Remembrance, a movement that encourages people across the country to engage in meaningful volunteer efforts. The Keep Myrtle Beach Beautiful organization took this call to action seriously, hosting a beautification project at Warbird Park on Farrow Parkway in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

CWS Staff assisting with the 911 Day of Service project

This past September 11, 2024, volunteers came together for a service project with an initiative not only to revitalize the park but also addressed the significant trash problem plaguing nearby roadways.

With generous and continual support from Capital Waste Services (CWS), who donated vibrant flowers for the park’s planter boxes, the volunteers were able to breathe new life into areas often overlooked in our ongoing fight against waste. CWS, being a local entity, understands the importance of giving back to the community they serve—because to us, you are more than just a customer; you are a vital part of our mission to cleaning today for a greener tomorrow!

CWS Staff and Volunteers helping plant flowers

Following the service project, the City of Myrtle Beach held its annual 9/11 Day of Remembrance Ceremony. This ceremony was not only about remembrance but a collective promise to make our communities cleaner, safer, and more beautiful.

As we reflect on the importance of this day, we challenge you to think beyond just this annual event. Let us actively confront the issues of waste and garbage not only on September 11 but throughout the year.

Meet Capital Waste Services 1st Presidential Award Recipient

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As a waste management company, it is not just about providing waste services; it’s also about recognizing the unsung heroes within our organization who embody our core values. On September 25, 2024, our president Matt Parker announced the inaugural presentation of the President’s Award, an honor that highlights extraordinary dedication and performance. “This is not a historic award that has been given away to employees in the past. We knew we had somebody very special here and we wanted to make a special statement,” Matt Parker explained.

When we defined this award, “we knew that we wanted to do a few things embodying the spirit of service, dedication, and community is at the top of the list” Matt stated. This year, we proudly presented this award to Jermaine, one of our outstanding team members. “It’s such an honor to present the President’s award to Jermaine,” Matt Parker expressed.

President Matt Parker and Driver Jermaine

Jermaine’s commitment to excellence has set him apart in our organization, particularly in his efforts to tackle waste initiatives with a smile on his face. He has consistently gone above and beyond in ensuring workspaces are not only productive but also greener. Whether he is running extra pick-up routes, visiting local schools to talk about the importance of waste or going above to recognize customer achievements, Jermaine exemplifies what it means to be a team player.

His presence is loved throughout our Lexington location by many families and little kids who adore his weekly pickup arrivals. Customers rave about their wonderful experiences online in reviews and do not shy away from verbally praising Jermaine. During the presentation, a couple of customers came to congratulate him on his accomplishments. Just another example of his unwavering support from the community.

In recognizing Jermaine with the President’s Award, we celebrate not only his achievements but also the spirit of community that he fosters every day. As Parker explained, “that’s in the fiber of capital waste services, the service and community!” His actions have also motivated his colleagues to in more ways than he had imagined. Jermaine’s passion for going the extra mile shows that true leadership can shine through even in the most unglamorous tasks. Here’s to Jermaine and the positive impact he continues to make!

Congratulations, Jermaine! Your hard work and dedication are truly inspiring!

Jermaine pictured in front of his ASL Truck

Keeping Up with Myrtle Beach

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In a collaborative effort to tackle the pressing issue of trash and waste on Myrtle Beach, our Low Country, South Carolina location joined forces with Keep Myrtle Beach Beautiful (KMBB) for a beach sweep event on May 31st. This initiative is part of the city’s comprehensive cleanup program aimed at eradicating litter and pollution from the iconic oceanfront area.

Our staff braved the morning sun to participate in the trash clean up arriving at 8 am and working tirelessly until around 12 pm to assist. Trash was expected to be seen and collected; however it was astonishing to see the sheer volume of discarded materials, including plastic bottles, food wrappers, and broken beach equipment as explained by our team. Thankfully, Keep Myrtle Beach Beautiful provided them with ample supply of trash bags and gloves to help tackle the monumental task.

Their efforts resulted in a reduction of trash and waste on the beachfront area. The battle against trash and garbage waste is an ongoing one, but with initiatives like KMBB beach sweep event, the community is becoming cleaner day by day.

If you’re interested in joining the fight against trash and garbage while making a difference in your community, you’re encouraged join KMBB’s efforts. CWS offers residential, commercial and industrial for your home or business. From 8-yard containers to residential bins, learn more about the services we offer to keep your trash contained and properly disposed here!

CWS Coastal team members participating in local beach clean up

Waste Workers Week Recap

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From June 17-21, 2024, the waste and recycling industry comes together to recognize and celebrate the dedication of the men and women who keep our communities clean and safe. National Waste and Recycling Workers Week (WRWW) is a special occasion to express our gratitude to these dedicated individuals who work behind the scenes to manage waste, collect garbage, and recycle materials.

At Capital Waste Services (CWS), we believe that every waste and recycling worker deserves to be respected and celebrated for their role in serving our communities. We’re proud to join the celebration by highlighting the special moments we shared with our team members during National Waste and Recycling Workers Week.

We are dedicated to recognizing and rewarding our drivers for their tireless efforts in keeping our communities free from trash and garbage. To show our appreciation, we organize creative ways to express gratitude company-wide. This year, our Columbia location kicked off a raffle giveaway featuring big-ticket prizes like a flat-screen TV and gift cards, as well as a catered lunch to fuel the fun. Meanwhile, our Chattanooga team fired up their custom-made dumpster grill for an employee appreciation cookout.

CWS Chattanooga employee cooking on the custom-made dumpster grill

CWS Columbia Waste Truck Drivers enjoying catered lunch

As we honor their contributions, we encourage everyone to show their appreciation in meaningful ways. Whether it’s a heartfelt thank-you note, a basket of fresh baked goods, or a simple handshake, these small gestures can bring joy and recognition to the dedicated individuals who work tirelessly behind the scenes.

Let’s take a moment to acknowledge the vital role waste and recycling workers play in our daily lives. They’re the heroes who keep our environment clean, safe, and healthy. Join us in celebrating their hard work and dedication this National Waste and Recycling Workers Week! Who’s ready for next year’s WRWK?

Ride Along Safely

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At Capital Waste Services (CWS), we take pride in our dedication to ensuring the safety of our waste workers, office staff, and customers. We believe that education is a major key to preventing injuries, which is why we provide comprehensive safety training for all employees. But what does this training look like in practice? Join us as we go behind the scenes with our Digital Marketing Coordinator, Joy King, as she rides along with one of our exceptional front-end drivers, Ashley Archie-Laboy.

Ashley has been a standout among our team of dedicated waste drivers since 2022, consistently receiving rave reviews and five-star ratings for her outstanding service. Joy had the opportunity to ride along with Ashley and was impressed by her attention to detail and commitment to safety. “I really enjoyed my time during the ride along and was assigned to Ashley, which was a definite perk,” Joy exclaimed.

Waste truck drivers typically start their day early, roughly arriving at 2:30 am for a morning meeting to discuss route changes and important information. Before hitting the road, they conduct a thorough pre-trip inspection of their trucks to ensure they meet safety standards. “It was amazing to see Ashley going through her truck from top to bottom, making sure everything was in order,” Joy observed.

According to the article “10 Most Dangerous Jobs In America For 2024,” written on Forbes.com, refuse and recyclable material collectors rank at number 7. As mentioned above, we prioritize safety above all else at CWS. Our comprehensive safety training program ensures every staff member is equipped with the latest knowledge and best practices to prevent accidents. With a dedicated Director of Safety, we can ensure that all safety materials and training are up-to-date and effective for learning.

While we can hope that our waste truck drivers’ routes run smoothly, unexpected issues can arise. That’s why our drivers receive intensive safety training to address or resolve waste-related safety concerns. For Joy, her ride-along experience was incident-free, with only minor issues like locked gates, unauthorized trash items, and other minor issues encountered. “Ashley handled each situation professionally and made me feel safe throughout,” Joy noted.

After a long day of collecting waste, drivers return to headquarters after dumping their loads and completing a post-trip inspection. This routine allows them to note any notable items like damage, load information, and other related items.

As Joy reflected on her ride-along experience, she realized that the waste industry is much more than just collecting trash and garbage. “It requires skilled driving, customer satisfaction, and so much more to make a successful waste driver. And it takes effort and pride in your job,” she commented. Not to mention that this hands-on approach builds deeper connections and more effective understanding for our sales department. By sending our sales representative on ride-along truly sets us apart from other waste companies with a unique mindset of being one team.

By sharing this experience with you, we hope to showcase the dedication and expertise that goes into keeping our communities clean and safe.

Kindness Never Goes to Waste

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At Capital Waste Services (CWS), we take pride in our core values of excellence, integrity, and customer centricity. Our waste workers are an essential part of our operations, working tirelessly to keep our communities and businesses free from waste and debris. But it’s not just about collecting trash – it’s about exceeding customer expectations and making a positive impact on their daily lives.

Jermaine has been a shining star among our team of dedicated garbage truck drivers since 2020, consistently receiving rave reviews and five-star ratings for his outstanding service. His commitment to excellence has earned him a reputation as a reliable and dedicated waste collector who goes above and beyond to ensure customer satisfaction. His service is so fantastic his customers started calling our local news station, WISTV10, to get him featured on the evening news. “Anything I can do to bring a smile to that individual’s face, it brings a smile to my face, and it warms my heart,” Jermaine said during his interview on the news.

Building on the spirit of Jermaine’s initiatives, we’re taking customer service to the next level by offering creative ways to connect with our customers beyond the standard trash pickup experience. Our waste truck drivers are equipped with special handouts, such as child sized hats, safety vests, and coloring books, which they can share with customers during their routes.

CWS Customer Noah awaiting CWS Waste Truck Drive Jermaine’s arrival with snacks

“That’s my job; to service the customers [and go] above and beyond,” Jermaine said. “Whether it be, [honking] the horn for kids, give out toys to the kids, pick up extra trash bags that’s on the side of the can, I guess that caught the attention of a lot of customers.”

Our waste workers are more than just employees – they are the unsung heroes of our communities to many. At Capital Waste Services, we’re proud to have a team of dedicated professionals like Jermaine who take pride in their work, even when it comes to dealing with waste and garbage.

“You can’t put a price on the smiles coming from your children’s faces and seeing the excitement of them running out the house just to see Jermaine [or] get a high five,” Crystal Blume a CWS customer said during the interview. “It’s people like Jermaine that are making a difference; they’re making a difference by spreading kindness, love, and joy every day, no matter what they’re going through.”

We’re thrilled to share Jermaine’s story with you, but we know there are many more stories to be told. If you are a Capital Waste customer, we’d love to hear about your experiences with our exceptional service. Please take a moment to share your stories with us!

Your feedback will help us to recognize the outstanding work of our waste workers. Thank you for choosing Capital Waste Services – we’re honored to serve you!

Keep the Tennessee River Beautiful (KTNRB) is a dedicated organization focused on preserving the pristine condition of Chickamauga Lake, situated on the Tennessee River in Soddy Daisy, Tennessee. They have been at the forefront of efforts to keep waterways clean and safe for both wildlife and residents through various initiatives such as cleanups, events, and programs.

On June 8th, KTNRB hosted its 4th annual lake cleanup event at Chester Frost Park, rallying a team of 29 dedicated volunteers to join the fight against garbage waste. Together, they collected an astonishing 124 bags of litter, removed 9 tires, and hauled away over 132.5 square feet of dock styrofoam – just a small fraction of the trash that’s accumulated on our beloved riverbanks.

With the help of our 40-yard container, we were honored to provide a crucial service by hauling away the entire load of collected waste. This monumental effort is a testament to the power of community engagement and collective action in combating the problem of trash and garbage waste polluting our waterways.

We urge all Tennessee citizens to join not only KTNRB, but practice personal efforts to continue to work towards a cleaner and safer Tennessee River.