Solid Waste Experiences Historic Drop in 2021 Illness and Injury Rates

Waste and recycling industry illness and injury rates experienced a historic drop in 2021, according to new data from the 2021 Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII).

The Bureau of Labor Statistics released the annual report that offers data on private industry nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses in the United States. Solid waste collection rates from fell to 4.0 in 2021, down from 5.2 the previous year. 

While industry associations applauded the reduction in illness and injuries across collection, landfill and MRFs, the industry itself is still the sixth deadliest occupation in the United States.

David Biderman, SWANA executive director and CEO, stated: “The new BLS data reflects a historic improvement in worker safety in the solid waste industry. Injury and illness rates last year were less than half of what they were in 2017. SWANA will continue leading industry efforts to reduce them even further and fulfill our Strategic Plan goal of getting solid waste collection workers off the list of the ten most dangerous jobs."

“The recent BLS data, while trending in the right direction, tells us we have more work to do to reduce injuries and illness in the waste and recycling industry," said Darrell Smith, NWRA president and CEO. "Though we are pleased with the significant drop at landfills and among waste hauling, we cannot be satisfied with this report, and we have a long way to go to get off of the top ten deadliest industry list.”

Injury and illness rates for landfill workers fell from 3.4 to 2.2 incidents per 100 full-time employees in 2021. MRF rates decreased to 3.2, down from 5.2 in 2020. The injury and illness rates for all three sectors are at their lowest levels since at least 2006, according to SWANA data.

The BLS report also included data for COVID-19-related occupational illnesses.The solid waste collection illness rate fell to 8.4 in 2021, down from 22.4 per 100 full-time workers in 2020.

Private industry employers across all sectors reported 2.6 million nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses in 2021, down 1.8 percent from 2020. 

Nonfatal illness cases drove the decline. Employers reported  365,200 nonfatal illnesses in 2021, down from 544,600 year over year, or 32.9 percent.