Cindy and Joy share that for this interview they sat down for Episode 19 of Faces of Manufacturing on MI Business Network with some of Granger Waste Service’ team.

Segment 1 – Open discussion.
Segment 2 – Company Overview

Guest: Paul Anderson, Chief Operating Officer

Granger’s History and Mission

· Can you start by giving us a brief overview of Granger’s history – how did the company get its start?

· What makes Granger’s story unique in the waste services industry?

· Granger is a family business at its core. How has that shaped the way the company operates and serves the community? What are Granger’s core values?

Core Values: Safety First

· Let’s talk about Granger’s core values; why is safety listed first?

· Can you give an example of how Granger has prioritized safety in recent operations or projects?

· What’s the biggest misconception people have about safety in the waste industry, and how does Granger approach that differently?

· How do you keep safety top of mind every day, from leadership down to the front lines?

Segment 3 – Safety and Training

Guest: Josh Kindy, Safety and Training Manager

Safety and Training

· Tell us about your role

· What are some of the tools or technologies Granger uses to support safety training today?

· How do you measure success when it comes to safety training—what are the key indicators you track?

· Safety is often associated with drivers and operations teams. How do you ensure safety is embedded across all departments—from HR to accounting to customer

· How do you keep safety messaging fresh and relevant for all employees, not just those out in the field?

· What advice would you give to other organizations trying to move from “safety as a rule” to “safety as a mindset”?

Segment 4 – Frontline Safety in Operations

Guest: Brian Looney, Operations Manager – Lansing

Safety Training and Protocols for Professional Drivers

· Tell us about your role

· How do you keep safety front and center for drivers who have been on the job for years?

· What are some of the most common risks drivers face, and how does Granger help them manage those risks?

· How do you reinforce accountability and safe behavior out on the road—especially when no one is watching?

· How do supervisors or lead drivers play a role in reinforcing safety protocols day-to-day?

· Let’s talk about the equipment- how does Granger ensure its vehicles are safe and well-maintained?

· What types of safety technology are installed in the trucks, and how do they help reduce incidents or near misses?

· How does routing software or onboard cameras contribute to both safety and efficiency?

· How do you balance using tech as a tool for safety versus it feeling like surveillance or micromanagement?

Segment 5 – Waste Acceptance & Hidden Hazards

Guest: Serenity Skillman, Construction Manager

Risks of Dangerous Items in Trash

· Can you start by explaining what “waste acceptance” means and how it relates to the work you do every day?

· You’ve said that one of the biggest risks to our people comes from dangerous items hidden in the trash. What are some of the most common offenders?

· Why are items like lithium-ion batteries, propane tanks, or chemicals such a serious threat in our waste stream?

· Can you walk us through what can happen when these items end up in the wrong place whether it’s on a truck, at a landfill, or at a transfer station?

· What is Granger doing to educate customers and the community about what shouldn’t go in the trash?

· How do our drivers and facility teams detect or respond to hazardous items before they cause harm?

· What steps can everyday households take to help protect our people by properly disposing of hazardous items?

· If someone isn’t sure whether something is safe to throw away, what should they do?

Segment 6 – Closing discussion.