CDL Residential Driver

GFL Environmental; Columbia (SC); On-site; USD 25,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

15 days of paid time off

4 medical plan options with HSA and 1:

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

401(k) with employer match

Paid holidays

EAP with free counseling services

Career growth and development

Job summary

GFL Environmental Inc. is seeking a Residential Driver to safely service curbside and backdoor routes, handling solid waste and recyclables with a focus on customer service and safety. You’ll operate front-load, side-load, or rear-load vehicles while maintaining high standards of compliance and reliability.

Join Team Green to contribute to sustainable waste solutions, work with a collaborative crew, and grow professionally in a company that values safety, teamwork, and community impact.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Valid CDL license required for operation of collection vehicles.
• Minimum 1 year of commercial driving experience or completion of CDL training.
• Ability to safely operate front-load, side-load, or rear-load collection vehicles.
• Knowledge of safety policies, regulatory requirements, and route documentation.
• Strong communication with customers, teammates, and supervisors.

Responsibilities

• Safely operate residential and recycling collection vehicles on assigned routes.
• Perform pre-trip and post-trip inspections and report issues promptly.
• Load solid waste, yard waste, and recyclables; ensure efficient loading and routing.
• Maintain route quality and provide professional customer service.
• Collaborate with supervisors and teammates; be flexible for overtime when needed.

Skills

Safe driving

Customer service

Route navigation

Vehicle maintenance

Team communication

Education

High School Diploma or GED

CDL license

Job description

Job Description Overview

The Residential Driver will be responsible for safely, efficiently, and courteously providing waste removal services to customers. The driver will collect solid waste or recyclables on curbside and/or backdoor routes and transporting to post-collection facilities.

GFL Environmental is one of North America’s leading waste management companies, proudly making communities cleaner, safer, and happier through first-class service. Working at GFL is more than a job — it’s an opportunity to build a long-term career, form strong relationships, and make a difference every day. At GFL, our goal is to invest in our people and provide opportunities to grow for life. Our employees are proudly known as Team Green, united by a shared purpose of delivering sustainable solutions that help our customers and communities be Green For Life.

What GFL Offers - Team Green Benefits

• 15 days of paid time off
• 4 medical plan options, including an HSA with employer contribution and match
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• 401(k) with employer match
• Paid holidays
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) with free counseling services
• Career growth and development opportunities

Position Summary

The Residential / Recycling Driver is responsible for safely operating front-load, side-load, or rear-load collection vehicles to service residential and recycling routes. This role ensures timely, efficient, and safe collection while maintaining high standards of customer service, equipment care, and regulatory compliance.

Key Responsibilities

• Route & Equipment Operations
  • Safely operate residential and recycling collection vehicles and hydraulic equipment on assigned routes
  • Load solid waste, yard waste, and recyclables into collection vehicles
  • Operate compaction equipment to ensure efficient vehicle loading
  • Use proper driving techniques to prevent driver-induced mechanical failures
• Safety & Compliance
  • Complete pre-trip and post-trip inspections, Safety Lane reports, daily route documentation, and other required records
  • Immediately report mechanical issues, accidents, or incidents to supervisors
  • Follow all federal, state, local, and company safety policies and procedures
  • Wear required personal protective equipment (PPE) at all times
• Customer & Route Quality
  • Maintain route quality standards and provide professional service to customers and the public
  • Identify and tag prohibited waste items according to company guidelines
  • Maintain a clean vehicle, including cab interior and exterior
  • Work closely with supervisors to improve routing efficiency
• Teamwork & Communication
  • Manage assigned helper(s), if applicable
  • Attend safety meetings, branch meetings, and training sessions
  • Perform additional duties as assigned by management
  • Be flexible to work overtime as required

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED preferred
• Valid Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) required
• Minimum 1 year of commercial driving experience or completion of a CDL training program
• Ability to safely operate collection vehicles and associated equipment
• Must meet all safety-sensitive job requirements
• Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
  • Working knowledge of collection vehicles and basic maintenance requirements
  • Ability to maneuver large vehicles in tight spaces and heavy traffic
  • Ability to identify unacceptable or prohibited waste materials
  • Strong communication skills with internal teams and external customers
  • Ability to read, write, and follow maps, instructions, and route documents
  • Commitment to safety, reliability, and continuous improvement

Physical & Working Conditions

• Ability to lift, push, pull, and carry up to 50 lbs repetitively using proper lifting techniques
• Ability to sit for extended periods while driving (up to 75% of the workday)
• Frequent exposure to outdoor weather conditions, noise, vibration, traffic, and moving mechanical parts
• Work performed primarily outdoors and on active route

Join Team Green and be Green For Life.

We thank you for your interest. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

GFL is committed to equal opportunity for all, without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic.

GFL does not provide visa sponsorship for this position. Valid work authorization in the country where the job is located is required. Successful candidates will be required to provide valid documentation confirming their eligibility to work in the country where the job is located prior to their start date. This hiring process may utilize machine-based systems to assist in screening and assessing applicants. Final selection decisions are made by our recruitment team.

Current GFL Employees

If you are an existing GFL employee and would like to search and apply to current job openings, please visit the internal GFL Jobs Hub.

At the heart of GFL lies our greatest asset - our people. So, we're glad you landed here! We believe in great careers, making a positive impact on the environment and supporting our people with their life ambitions. We aspire to create the right jobs in a way that brings you along with us. At GFL, growth isn’t just for our business—it’s for our people. Because we see the potential in all our employees to do whatever it is they set their mind to, and we're proud to support them in that journey. We consider our employees’ personal goals, helping them create the career, and life, that they desire - whether it's advancing in their job, learning new skills, forming lasting relationships, or mentoring others, while having time to pursue other life ambitions. With safety and sustainability at the core of what we do, we all come together to form "Team Green" - united by our shared purpose to provide environmental solutions that enable our customers and the communities we serve to be Green For Life. We're proud to say that working for GFL is more than a job. It's an opportunity to make a difference and grow tremendously along the way. Regardless of the work we're doing today, we've got our sights set on the big picture - not just tomorrow, but for life. GFL empowers those looking for growth in their career and lives, whether that's on our Field Operations teams or Professional Services teams. Field Operations - Our Field positions offer candidates across North America the potential for limitless growth and skill expansion as the front line of our organization, making them central to our company's vision of creating cleaner and more sustainable communities. Professional Services - Our Corporate positions located in key North American offices grow candidates to form strong client relations, manage key programs and accounts, and ensure our Field teams are operating at maximum efficiency.