ASSOCIATIONINSIGHT
Portable Sanitation Association International News
BIWEEKLY EDITION JUNE 23, 2021
Page 5 Continued on page 6
A Closer Look at the Truck Driver Shortage…continued from page 4
Recruiting Drivers
It may seem as though you are facing a losing battle trying
to find and keep drivers. It can be very discouraging at
times; that much is certain. The good news is that portable
sanitation companies can have an edge in competing for
drivers. Smart companies will find ways to leverage some or
all of the following attributes of our industry, as well as any
others that may be specific to your company.
• Drivers in portable sanitation make a reliable wage
and good benefits. They are not at the mercy of forces
that sometimes have them driving empty and not
getting paid. As you adjust your compensation package
for your market, tout the fact that your drivers don't
have to wonder how much they'll make.
• Drivers in portable sanitation are home every night.
Studies show that extended time away from home is not as desirable among younger drivers. This aspect of
truck driving is something the previous generation just took in stride.
• Portable sanitation is "new and improved." In the 1960s and 1970s when many current portable sanitation
company owners were growing up, being a "garbage man" was among the worst things a parent could
imagine happening to their child's career. Today, being in waste services is widely respected. The trucks are
generally impressive and fun to drive. The workers wear uniforms and are paid well. It is considered a desirable
job for many not headed to college. Portable sanitation companies have been evolving. Many companies have
similarly impressive trucks, uniforms, pay, and benefits. Promote these things. Trash is still trash, and liquid
waste is still liquid waste. How the employee perceives their job is less about the product than about how they
look and feel doing it.
• Many portable sanitation companies do business only in their home state. This makes navigating the issues
with cannabis somewhat less complicated. The PSAI has previously produced material on this issue. Refer to
prior issues of Association Insight and the Industry Resource Library for more information.
Taking the Long View
Many portable sanitation companies have been puzzling on the driver shortage issue for years. Some of the more
creative ideas we have heard from around the industry include:
• Creating an internal training program for drivers and "growing them up" within the company. Drivers in
portable sanitation do not necessarily need a CDL. This gives you a wider pool of people to recruit and train.
• Funding good employees to take CDL training
and obtain their licenses, then retaining them
with agreements connected to the cost of this
process.
• Making room for women in portable sanitation.
Certainly, our industry requires a lot of hard,
heavy work. But women can do it. Check out the
June issue of PRO Monthly for a feature story
on a woman-owned and women run company
called Cassie's Cans. It can be done.
Portable Sanitation Company
A service truck and portable units from Cassie's Cans.
