Marc Garabedian’s career behind the wheel began nearly two decades ago, sparked by a desire to stay active, work with his hands, and contribute something essential to his community. What started in 2006 as a hands‑on job quickly became a calling, one marked by steady advancement and a deep commitment to safety and leadership. Since joining Casella's Auburn, MA Division in 2017, Marc has become not only a trusted driver but also a mentor, advocate, and ambassador whose pride in his work shows up everywhere from his spotless truck to the teammates he supports.
I started in the waste industry back in 2006. I wanted a career where I could work with my hands, stay active, and do something essential for the community. Within my first six months, I earned Driver of the Year, which really confirmed I was in the right line of work. From there I became a swing driver, then a lead driver, and I received training in several areas like dispatch and management. After ten years with my previous employer, I decided it was time for a new chapter. In 2017, I joined Casella, a company whose values, culture, and focus on people and sustainability lined up with what I wanted for my career.
Back in 2006, I learned from experienced drivers who taught me how to slow down, think ahead, and build good habits. They emphasized consistency, checking your work, and always keeping safety first. Those early lessons stuck with me as I advanced to swing driver, lead driver, and eventually started training others. The combination of good mentors and hands-on experience shaped me into the driver and leader I try to be today.
I start every day with a thorough pre-trip, a clean cab, and a minute to mentally plan the route. I don’t rush, I avoid distractions, and I stick to the basics that I know work. My training background reminds me that I need to live the same habits I’d expect from any new driver. Safety is something you build into your day from the moment you clock in.
Safety isn’t just a rule; it’s a responsibility. When you’re taking a large truck through neighborhoods where people live, walk, and drive, every decision matters. My coworkers count on me to come back safe, and so does my family. With nearly two decades of experience, I understand how quickly things can go wrong, and that’s why I take it personally.
My day starts before sunrise with my pre-trip. Once I’m rolling, the music goes on, my playlist keeps me moving, and yes, there’s a lot of singing involved. A Dunkin’ stop helps too. Something that goes a long way is hearing a positive comment, a simple hello, or having a quick conversation with a customer. Those little moments matter. The same goes for leadership; when they take the time to say thanks, it means something. Between the music, the routine, and the positive interactions, that’s what keeps me going through the long days.
I wish people understood how demanding the job really is. The days start extremely early, the hours are long, and holiday weeks usually mean Saturday work on top of everything else. By the time you get home, you’re drained. It takes a lot of physical and mental effort to do the job safely and consistently day after day.
I take pride in the truck I run, and I like keeping it clean and respectable-looking. It’s the image I’m representing every day, and I’ve always been someone who appreciates clean lines and shiny chrome rims. When I’m out on the route, I come across simple moments, good lighting, a nice backdrop, or just a clean shot of the truck. I share those photos because they show the everyday side of the job that most people never see.
Being a Casella ambassador means taking pride in your work, supporting your teammates, and always looking to improve. Continuous improvement has always been important to me, and being voted Core Value Champion twice in the last three years is something I’m very proud of. I also advocate for the drivers in my building, organizing lunches, helping with reroutes, pushing for recognition during Driver Appreciation Week, and making sure our drivers get noticed for the hard work they do. Drivers don’t always get enough appreciation, so I do what I can to help change that.
My biggest piece of advice is to speak up and get involved. The best improvements come from the men and women who actually do the job every day. There should always be a place for driver input because leadership shouldn’t guess at solutions. The people behind the wheel are the real experts. If you’re thinking about this career, focus on learning, stay committed to safety, and don’t be afraid to give feedback.
I want to keep growing, whether that means mentoring new drivers, taking on more responsibilities, or continuing to improve my own skills. I’ve been in this industry since 2006, and there’s still more to learn. Casella offers opportunities to develop, and I plan to keep taking advantage of them.
Casella Waste Systems, Inc., headquartered in Rutland, Vermont, is one of the largest recyclers and most experienced fully integrated resource management companies in the Eastern United States. Founded in 1975 as a single truck collection service, Casella has grown its operations to provide solid waste collection and disposal, transfer, recycling, and organics services to more than one million residential, commercial, municipal, institutional, and industrial customers and provides professional resource management services to over 10,000 customer locations in more than 40 states.
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