On Monday, the Solid Waste Agency of Northwest Nebraska (SWANN) found alarming and potentially dangerous objects that were improperly disposed of at two panhandle collection sites.
An unspent .12 gauge shotgun shell was found in Chadron. According to Solid Waste Agency administrative staff, this is just one of many instances of SWANN employees finding live ammunition in loads of waste.
A separate incident in Gordon/Rushville involved a SWANN collection truck that was punctured by a vehicle tie rod when it was pushed through the side of the truck’s waste compactor tank.
SWANN further explained that their trucks are fed through a hopper that drops waste into the tank. Then the “packer plate” -which is located behind the truck cab- condenses it by packing it towards the back of the truck’s waste compactor tank and allows room for more material to be dropped into the tank.
However, when hazardous materials like live ammunition rounds, tie rods from vehicles, pressurized oxygen tanks and more are packed down they can be very destructive. This destruction can cause damage to machinery and even harm those working with the equipment.
SWANN again, asks their customers to be vigilant in knowing what they’re disposing of and what is allowed in their dumpsters.
For clarification on SWANN’s dumpster rules click here