Don’t give up on your old dogs . . . they can learn to use new technologies and practices.
Adam Jochelson, P. E., MOLO
“Because I said so,” is rarely the correct answer. Consider a parent’s debate with a child over eating broccoli or a teacher’s insistence that students complete the assigned homework. Results of such demands are decidedly mixed. And as often as not, they depend more upon on the stubbornness of your audience rather than the merits of your position.
In most cases, you’ll achieve better outcomes if you creatively incentivize the desired behavior. Or, better yet, find ways to convince them that they actually enjoy it or that it was their idea in the first place. You’d be surprised how often this skill becomes necessary in your adult professional life. One of the more difficult projects I encountered during my tenure at McCommas Bluff Landfill was working with the equipment operators to convince them that using GPS Grade Control devices was a good idea. Frustrating as it could be at times, successfully implementing the system in Dallas was an invaluable experience that put me squarely on the path that has brought me to GeoShack now.
Appeals to Progress
Landfill operators can be especially intransigent when it comes to trying something new. Turns out that it’s hard to combat the “we’ve always done it this way” argument when always can stretch out to before you were born. But just because you’ve done something the same way for eons doesn’t mean it’s the best way. Many landfills I’ve visited have operated basically the same way for the last several decades. They may have bigger, shinier, newer equipment, but the way they use it to push, pack and cover garbage has changed little over the years, especially when it comes to grade control.
When I hear managers and operators tell me that they like to stick with what they know, I remind them that on average the grade control technology and techniques applied at most landfills can date back as much as 30 years. Then I ask them to think about where we’d be if stuck with decades-old technology in other aspects of our lives.
Would you drive a 30-year-old car? Or take family vacation photos with a 30-year-old camera? Run your business with a 30-year-old computer? Or make calls on a 30-year-old phone? Figure 1, shows some things I had 30 years ago, and their modern counterparts.
Now I know some of you would, in fact, drive around town in a vehicle that’s 30 years old or even older. After all, who doesn’t love a classic car? But, in general, we adopt modern technologies because they make our lives measurably better. And I hate to break it to you, but there’s no such thing as a classic landfill. So, there’s no excuse for living with outdated technology at your facility.
Appeals to Reason
Constructing large earthen structures dates back to prehistoric times. At least a dozen cultures native to North America left behind relics of their handiwork. The largest in the United States is Monk’s Mound, found in the Cakhokia Mounds UNESCO Heritage Site (side note: I’ve actually visited this site). It’s 100 feet tall with a base that measures 955 feet by 755 feet—about the same footprint as Egypt’s Great Pyramid at Giza.
Built nearly a thousand years ago, construction of Monk’s Mound probably involved a cyclical procedure of building, measuring and adjusting to meet specifications. At most landfills, not much has changed in the intervening millennium. Typical grade control procedures at landfills are shockingly archaic. At best, you’ll usually see stakes set by a surveyor or engineer to indicate the desired waste elevations. In many cases, the sole measure of grade will come from the operators’ eyeballs.
This generally results in a similar build-check-fix cyclical process. You’ll probably not be surprised to hear that I don’t consider that to be the best way to build your landfill. When given the opportunity, I talk to landfill operators about the value of being on grade the first time, every time. To be fair, they rarely if ever contradict my opinion, but convincing them to try new technology is still tricky.
Appeals to Ego
Sometimes even the most logical of arguments still will not get the job done. One problem standing in the way is an inherent mistrust of new technologies and how they may be used to monitor work habits. Thus, efforts to move forward with GPS Grade Control System can be met with suspicion from those whose work would most benefit from its implementation. When this occurs, you have to bring out the big guns—appeal to their egos.
Add a little healthy competition to the mix by challenging each shift to outdo the last in matching grade on the first pass. Pride alone can go a long way toward eventual acceptance of new stuff. But it wouldn’t hurt to tack on some kind of worthwhile incentive.
If you happen to be at a site that runs multiple dozers or compactors each day, you can take advantage of another approach. Install GPS on all brand new machines that arrive at your facility. Then, only allow operators who properly use it to run those machines. You’ll be surprised how much pride an operator takes in driving a new set of wheels (or tracks) across the landfill’s working face. You’d think it was the latest high-powered hot rod.
Another bonus of these two tactics is that it will typically help you identify a self-selected group of operators that have a natural flair for using new technologies. Those operators should be encouraged to learn more and registered for any advance training available.
Slowly but Surely
Contrary to the old saying about old dogs and new tricks, it’s not impossible to get landfill operators to try new ideas, but it can be very difficult. Keep in mind, that if and when you try to implement something new at your landfill—be it an innovative technology, a new management system, or even an accepted industry best practice—you may get a feeling like you’re trying to turn a battleship. But your best assets in this fight are creativity, collaboration, and perseverance. Trust me, you’ll need all three in equal measure. Don’t be frustrated by what looks like lack of acceptance early on. Keep working with your staff to reach your goal and your efforts will be rewarded.
Adam Jochelson, P. E., MOLO, is a Landfill Engineer and Facility Specialist working for GeoShack, Inc., where he promotes the application of cutting edge technologies to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of landfill operations. Adam built his knowledge and techniques over a nine-year period as the on-site engineer at McCommas Bluff Landfill in Dallas, TX. His unique experiences in engineering and other fields have combined to create an exceptional understanding of the various challenges inherent in landfill planning, design, and operations. Adam can be reached at (972) 342-3055 or e-mail [email protected].
Sidebar
Land·fill En·gi·neer [land-fil en-juh-neer]
noun an environmental engineer who specializes in the design, management, planning, and development, of solid waste management facilities; a unique combination of engineer, surveyor, data analyst, computer programmer, construction worker, manager, teacher, writer, conservationist, and experimenter.