American Waste

American Waste has roots in northern Michigan going back 40 years. We are a locally owned company. Our business has grown and changed, but our commitment to providing outstanding service has remained a constant. We are proud to serve the northern Michigan community.

There's not a specific date on the calendar, like an anniversary or birthday, which marks the day the first garbage truck was created.It was probably more an evolution than a single moment in time. Early open-bed trucks and dump trucks – already replacing horse-drawn wagons to collect rubbish in the early 1910s – were likely modified by crafty mechanics to make the job easier and an iconic vehicle was born.

We do know that 100 years ago, in 1912, Americans were beginning to watch these motorized marvels collect trash, keeping streets and cities clean. It was the start of a century of awe and wonder that continues to captivate not only children at the curb but veteran waste workers and drivers around the country.

We were those kids at the curb, who chased after the diesel roar, who savored the satisfying sounds of popping bags and shattering glass when the compactor blade engaged and who relished the power and even the smell and ooze of these steel giants.

• 1966 -- Ascione family moves to northern Michigan from Metro Detroit

• 1971 -- Northern A-1 Sanitation Services founded by Edward Ascione Sr.

• 1978 -- Northern A-1 began providing environmental services in addition to the collection of MSW

• 1993 -- Sold Northern A-1 waste routes to United Waste, WSA Waste bought up shortly thereafter then USA Waste bought out Waste Management retaining the WM brand.

• 1997 -- Northern A-1 was acquired by US Liquids, MSW collection business was retained by WM

• 1997 -- Pollution Control Services (PCS) was acquired.

• 2002 -- American Waste founded by Eddie & Mike Ascione.

• 2003 -- Northern A-1 purchased back from US Liquids and now doing business as Northern A-1 & American Waste.

• 2003 -- Specialized Safety Services formed (SSS).

• 2005 -- Traverse City (Sundowner) Transfer Station begins operation.

• 2006 -- American Waste adds recyclables processing to operations and locates a small processing facility in Traverse City.

• 2008 -- Kalkaska C&D and MSW processing facility begins operations.

• 2010 -- Northeastern Exploration acquired.

• 2010 -- Hughes Dr. building in Traverse City purchased.

• 2010 -- TC recycling operations relocated to Hughes Dr. facility.

• 2011 -- Hughes Dr. MRF (MSW, Single Stream, C&D) facility begins operation.

• 2011 -- Wexford County Landfill acquired after 3 year process.

• 2011 -- Pennsylvania office added to Northern A-1 operations.

Technology

At American Waste we are always looking for new ways to make our services better. One way of doing this is through technology. We have adopted a system called eMobile. There are tablets in every truck that display the driver's route. During the route the drivers are inputting information about each stop. For example: Done, Not out, Blocked, etc. These inputs are time stamped so we are able to look up exactly when the driver was at the stop and the status of the stop.

In cases where there are extra bags or items, the drivers take a picture of the items. This picture is used back in our office to determine if there is an added cost to be billed.All notes and pictures are available to our Call Center agents in 'real time'. This provides our customer service team with the information they need to provide the best level of service to our customers.

Residential

At American Waste, we do accept all of the traditional materials for recycling with two types of service. Drop-off and Curbside. Curbside service is only available in select areas of service.

Preparing the Recyclables
Rinse all containers and triple rinse agricultural containers. Materials should have all food product removed. Caps and labels do not need to be removed.Do not leave large bulky items or any items outside of recycle location containers.

Not Accepted:

• Mirror Glass
• TV/Monitor Glass
• Window Glass
• Light Bulbs – Fluorescent, Tubes & CFLs
• Foam Products – packing peanuts, molded Styrofoam, foam wrap
• Battery’s
• Fluids – paint, stain, automotive fluids
• SHARPS and Medical Waste

Other Recycling Resources

Grand Traverse County Resource Recovery (RecycleSmart) is a great resource to find out how and where to dispose of materials and items that cannot go into your curbside bin.

The mission of the Grand Traverse County Resource Recovery Department (RecycleSmart) is to protect the public health and environment of our community by efficiently managing waste materials with a focus on resource conservation.

Construction and Demolition

Most materials generated during new construction, renovation and demolition of buildings, roads and other structures can be recycled. In the long run, recovery of these materials conserves resources, saves energy and protects natural features.Materials can either be reused onsite or placed into a container for recycling offsite via one of American Waste's recycling centers.Whether you order a project container from us or self-haul materials to one of our fee-based facilities, we will accept all non-hazardous C&D wastes from a project.