BLS data shows waste and recycling injuries improved in 2020

The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) recently released its 2020 Employer-Reported Workplace Injuries and Illness report. According to the report, private industry employers reported 2.7 million nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses last year.

The overall injury rate for the waste and recycling industry declined to 3.5 from 4.2 in 2019. The injury rate for solid waste collection fell to 5.2 from 5.8 over the same period. The rate for landfills fell to 3.4 from 3.9 in 2019. Conversely, the injury rate at materials recovery facilities (MRFs) rose to 5.2 from 3.6 in 2019.

“The recent BLS data tell us we have more work to do to reduce injuries and illness in the waste and recycling industry. Though we are pleased with the significant drop at landfills and among waste hauling [professionals], it is important that we work just as hard to reduce injuries and illness at MRFs and across the industry,” National Waste & Recycling Association (NWRA) President and CEO Darrell Smith says. “We cannot be satisfied with this report, and we have a long way to go.”