The Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA), Silver Spring, Maryland, and Natural Gas Vehicles for America (NGVAmerica), Washington, have announced their collaboration to develop a new safety and best practices guide for fueling and maintaining natural gas powered refuse trucks. The document will provide the latest information used by fleets for safely operating collection and transfer vehicles that run on clean-burning and affordable natural gas.

SWANA’s executive director and CEO, David Biderman says, “SWANA is very pleased to be working with NGVAmerica on this important project. NGVAmerica is the leading association working to promote the use of natural gas refuse vehicles, and SWANA is the largest association for the waste and recycling sector in North America, and we both have a strong commitment to safety.”

He adds, “By working together and taking advantage of each association’s expertise, we expect the guidance document will provide critical information for members of both associations and others in the waste and recycling industry.” Biderman adds that SWANA and NGVA worked together last year on federal advocacy issues relating to the tax treatment of natural gas-fueled vehicles.

NGVA President Matthew Godlewski, says, “The refuse segment continues to be a strong growth driver in America’s fleet of natural gas vehicles. Communities are demanding cleaner, quieter, more cost-effective options for the refuse vehicles running through their neighborhoods and natural gas delivers the best option. Our goal in partnering on this new document is to bring further awareness to best practices and demonstrate that safety continues to be the industry’s top priority.”

NGVAmerica’s technology and development committee is leading the collaborative effort with SWANA. The committee is comprised of over 70 NGV industry stakeholders who work together to improve safety and maintenance issues, further codes and standards development, and the promote the latest innovation to improve the NGV experience for fleets and consumers.

Biderman announced this joint work with NGVAmerica to develop a best practices document to ensure awareness of safety and related issues at the annual conference WasteExpo in the Las Vegas Convention Center on June 7. He shared some remarks on the partnership as part of Recycling Today Media Group’s WasteExpo Video Show Daily.